DIY transparent tarp from shower curtain liners

**The J Meister** · 07-11-2012, 18:45

I was inspired and went out and made one of these after reading this thread. I went for the diamond approach. I think I might have went a little overboard on the tape reinforcement.... Put a strip on both sides, down every edge, through the ridgeline and overlap areas.. (err on the side of strength, I guess). After all is said and done with, the tarp came in at 1lb 14oz with an 11ft ridgeline.

**valleyrat** · 07-11-2012, 19:08

clear pvc tarps.
http://www.tarpsupply.com/clear-pvc-vinyl-tarps.html

**Fish<><** · 07-11-2012, 21:03

Originally Posted by valleyrat

clear pvc tarps.
http://www.tarpsupply.com/clear-pvc-vinyl-tarps.html

Too heavy, look at the weight. I saw those about a year ago and said no way.

**DemostiX** · 07-12-2012, 20:35

Originally Posted by The J Meister

I was inspired and went out and made one of these after reading this thread. I went for the diamond approach. I think I might have went a little overboard on the tape reinforcement.... Put a strip on both sides, down every edge, through the ridgeline and overlap areas.. (err on the side of strength, I guess). After all is said and done with, the tarp came in at 1lb 14oz with an 11ft ridgeline.

This could get very cool.

Materials are cheap, and this a great opp for creative design on a shelter that might help out for a weekend or a few without being expensive or punished by gravity. There have been threads on what to do after you realize, way out of town, that you left your tarp behind. Or similar. So far, there are two designs here out of pre-hemmed shower curtains and tape that are much more interesting than Wally World or Benny Moore painter's tarps. They positively stir my fancy.

Inexpensive as they are, maybe a moderator can sponsor a contest for best ldesign out of shower curtains and tape only. Limit materials to, say, 4 curtains. Only tools are scissors and markers? And sewing machine?

Design must be hung and survive two nights over a hammock outdoors. Pics must include before and after photos.

"Best" as judged by members vote, or by a panel of judges from the shops and maybe a qualified designer.

**CamRuns** · 07-23-2012, 18:30

Came to find this post after remembering the idea. How are these tarps holding up?

**The J Meister** · 07-23-2012, 23:15

I set mine up in the backyard right before a monsoon storm here in AZ and it held up great. The only issue I ended up having is that the wind was blowing so much that it pulled the stakes out of the ground.

**Fish<><** · 07-24-2012, 02:38

good news, so that means the tarp is probably pretty sturdy so far. thanks for the update.

**CamRuns** · 07-24-2012, 07:47

Originally Posted by The J Meister

I set mine up in the backyard right before a monsoon storm here in AZ and it held up great. The only issue I ended up having is that the wind was blowing so much that it pulled the stakes out of the ground.

do you fold it? store it in a stuff sack?

**The J Meister** · 07-25-2012, 21:26

I folded it and then slid it into a tyvek bag I made to fit it. I tried to find a way to roll it/stuff it so that it would work with a snake skin, but it's a little too bulky and doesn't compress the way a silnylon tarp would.

I did however get a little more creative with it and stenciled on the "Lost-Hammock Station" logo to one side...