Tarp Strap Holes.

Hey
I got the material for making a tarp and was looking at how to make them. Went to the fabric store and was looking at what i needed, and the lady said all i needed where these little things. These things were two metal plates that went together and put a hole in the middle of the metal plates through the fabric. So then i could put the rope through. And i would rather do what they do on the sites, but im kind of short for time with uni coming up and all. So i was wondering if anyone has tried it and if it works or not. I could just see it failing for the material is crazly thin, feels like wax paper and that it would just makes those parts of the material useless. If anyone has any suggestions greatfull:).
Andrwe
ps. sorry if confusing ill try and find a picture of these little metal things im tlkaing about.

Hi
I think you will find those metal gromits will just tear the material once you have pulled the tarp down tight a few times.
Most people sew extra material at the corners to strengthen the tarp.
What material did you buy?

some people still like the grommets, but it seems that most people get better (more secure) results by sewing tie out loops onto the tarp.
some people use 1" webbing, others (including myself) use 3/4" or 1" grosgrain for tie outs. very light & very strong.

Here's an example of a corner on the Blackcat Tarp I made. Same reinforcement method was used on all six corners which includes the ridgeline tieouts.
Tarp Tieout Corner
Use an extra layer of a little heavier material for the reinforced corner.

Grommets on UL material require reinforcing material which adds weight to the alreadier heavy grommet.... they frequently still fail.... consider gross grain loops instead.

Pan

Hey
thanks for that. I got 1.1ripstop nylon with silicon impregnated. I got it in one long roll, i forget how wide maybe one yard, and i need it 3 yards by 3 yards. So i was wondering how i should connect them, clearly i will stitch them togeather,but how will i make it so the rain will not go in the seems? And after that and i ahve a tarp 9 X 9, do i put something around all the edges? like fold it over twice and sew like i did with the hammock edges or something else. And i hate to ask this but that grosgrain stuff thats like straps on back packs right? well i thiunk thats about all the questions so far.
Thanks very much

Hi
Take a look at the DIY tarp directions here.
Blackcat.