Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
  1. #1
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248

    DIY tablecloth hammock ripped.

    I received a tablecloth blank (thanks Chenvre!) and promptly sewed end channels using 3 stitch lines as most parachute nylon hammocks have. As a little extra reinforcement I sewed some bar tacks along the edges where the stitch lines start.

    After putting in some continuous loops I went to get in and all I heard was a tear followed be me on the ground. The fabric had ripped straight across just below my first stitch line. I was completely surprised considering how many people are using these as hammocks.

    I think what happened was my stitch holes were too close together and combined with the multiple holes from bartacks at the edges served to create a perfect perforation line across the hammock waiting to be torn like a paper towel off a roll. I think if I increased my stitch length and did not sew the small bartacks, then there would not have been a problem.

    After I got up and figured out what happened I was a little hesitant to sew new end channels and I did not trust the other end since I sewed it the same as the side that failed. I decided to cut off the other end channel and I ended up doing Warbonnet style whipping for the ends.

    This was my first DIY hammock and so the lesson I learned was I should think about how the stitching will function under tension.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Redoleary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Pennfield Twp, MI
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    Hinterland gear
    Insulation
    down bag
    Suspension
    strap & E.T.'s
    Posts
    3,910
    Images
    70
    Thanks for the heads up. When I made a tablecloth hammock instead of folding so I had three layers of material I put some grosgrain in as the third layer and sewed thru that... so far so good. What was you stitch length when you got the failure?
    Good luck,
    RED

    My Youtube Channel

    Deep peace of the running wave to you.
    Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
    Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
    Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
    Deep peace without end to you.
    adapted from - ancient gaelic runes

  3. #3
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    Quote Originally Posted by Redoleary View Post
    Thanks for the heads up. When I made a tablecloth hammock instead of folding so I had three layers of material I put some grosgrain in as the third layer and sewed thru that... so far so good. What was you stitch length when you got the failure?
    I think I had it set at 2 on my machine. The bartacks were probably a big culprit because of the sheer number of holes. Also, with the amsteel loop larksheaded through the end channel, the side edges get more stress when first getiting in which is when it ripped. Once a tear starts, it doesn't take much for it to continue.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Chenvre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Ottawa, ON
    Hammock
    ENO DN
    Tarp
    SuperFly
    Insulation
    My sheer manliness
    Suspension
    Whatever works
    Posts
    124

    DIY tablecloth hammock ripped.

    Nooooooo!


    Sorry to hear... That's the same way I do my hammocks, although I use longer stitches (4 on the machine)

    I also do bar tacks at the edges. I'm a big guy and really toss and turn in these and have yet to see stretch holes from sewing, let alone tears. Maybe the fabric was faulty? What size needle did you use?

    What a bummer, but I guess you needed another reason for me to send you something else so you can get those tyvek envelopes!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    Quote Originally Posted by Chenvre View Post
    Nooooooo!


    Sorry to hear... That's the same way I do my hammocks, although I use longer stitches (4 on the machine)

    I also do bar tacks at the edges. I'm a big guy and really toss and turn in these and have yet to see stretch holes from sewing, let alone tears. Maybe the fabric was faulty? What size needle did you use?

    What a bummer, but I guess you needed another reason for me to send you something else so you can get those tyvek envelopes!
    I don't think the material was faulty because it ripped right along the first stitch line. I used a #14 needle. You have my address, you can send me whatever you want.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Hammock
    Hennesy
    Tarp
    various
    Insulation
    pads, foam
    Posts
    4,687
    Images
    17
    Remembering back to the days when magazines told us details like look for 6-8 or 7-9 stitches per inch then translating to 2 on a newer machine is probably 2 mm or ~ 12 stitches per inch... It will be interesting to see what the experts have to say.

    OTOH it does provide something to think about. ;-)
    YMMV

    HYOH

    Free advice worth what you paid for it. ;-)

  7. #7
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    Quote Originally Posted by nothermark View Post
    Remembering back to the days when magazines told us details like look for 6-8 or 7-9 stitches per inch then translating to 2 on a newer machine is probably 2 mm or ~ 12 stitches per inch... It will be interesting to see what the experts have to say.

    OTOH it does provide something to think about. ;-)
    Yeah the small stitche never even occurred to me. I too would like to hear other's opinions.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Somewhere near Parkville, MO
    Hammock
    DIY Knotty/Speer special, RED
    Tarp
    Warbonnet Superfly
    Insulation
    50 extree pounds
    Suspension
    Whoopy slings
    Posts
    1,393
    You didn't stitch it, you perforated it. Did you use a ball end needle or a chisel end, you know, just to finish off the effect.

    No malice intended. Fold it over, back that setting off a tad and sew in another channel. You didn't lose too much length. You could just whip what you have left but I'd rather sew it on a higher setting an prove what caused your problem.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Duffy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Millinocket, Maine
    Hammock
    Sheltowee 20
    Tarp
    Speer
    Insulation
    Burrow
    Posts
    580
    Images
    12
    This makes me feel better about my sloppy uneven stitches. I made both of mine double-layer..that probably helped too.
    Something hidden. Go and find it. Go, and look behind the Ranges. Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you . . . Go! - Rudyard Kipling

  10. #10
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    Quote Originally Posted by MrClean417 View Post
    You didn't stitch it, you perforated it. Did you use a ball end needle or a chisel end, you know, just to finish off the effect.

    No malice intended. Fold it over, back that setting off a tad and sew in another channel. You didn't lose too much length. You could just whip what you have left but I'd rather sew it on a higher setting an prove what caused your problem.
    Yeah I know I perforated hence my paper towel reference. As I mentioned, I already whipped it. Can you explain about the ball end needle. I'm a sewing newb.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Another ripped tablecloth -- repair?
      By momtaxi in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 09-01-2014, 21:23
    2. Hammock ripped, what fabric to try next?
      By Insaniac99 in forum Fabrics
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 08-08-2014, 22:03
    3. Tablecloth ripped.
      By Firesong in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 07-24-2014, 14:56
    4. My hammock ripped in half
      By Michelle the Camper in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 63
      Last Post: 07-28-2013, 19:28
    5. Tree and/or post movement, ripped hammock
      By DaleW in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 28
      Last Post: 09-04-2011, 01:37

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •