orientation of lay.

**Gordzilla** · 08-15-2009, 01:57

Since I made my first hammock I have been playing with a few more. I have used a few different fabrics and learned a bit about that and have used 7 or 8different whippings. The one thing that I find keeps happening is that every time, there is a predominant head end and also left or right strength. Is anyone else finding this? There were 2 styles of whipping that allowed for the most versatility for me but still had a "best spot." This isn't a concern as they are all quite comfy but I am curious if it's just something I'm doing.

**Frawg** · 08-15-2009, 08:04

I guess I've made about 10 or 12 hammocks of different kinds. The gathered end ones, whipped and otherwise, seemed a lot more variable like that than the ones with a sewn end channel. I chalked it up to inconsistencies in the way I did the gathering folds, and I'd tried several ways. On all of them, a certain lay seems to set in the fabric after the first couple of hangs. I don't know if it's stretching in the fabric, or just that my brain gets used to the feel of hanging in a particular way. I do try to vary my head/foot and left/right orientation, as well as top/bottom to even out the wear. Head left, feet right is my preference, unless I'm doing a sudoku... then it's reversed.

**ricegravy** · 08-15-2009, 08:18

How odd. I was wondering the same thing. If I get in my DIY HH Clone the wrong way, I can tell. There is a sweet spot for sure. I don't know how it got there, but I do like it!!

**Ramblinrev** · 08-15-2009, 13:27

My indoor sleeper has developed a "right and wrong" way to lie. I just assume it is the way I usually lie has twisted the gathers a certain way. No problem for me. But yeah.. if I switch.. I know it.

**Darrel** · 08-15-2009, 13:40

Hey Guys,

I have two Blackbirds built at the same time but built to be mirror images of each other.
We had these custom built like this so that the zippers end up being to the inside when my Wife and I hang together under the same tarp. This works very well by the way.

With these examples I can lay in several different directions and I even flip end for end and have even tried sleeping with my head in the foot box.

Bottom line with regard these Blackbirds is that I can find a very usable "sweet spot" with my head on either side of center in either configured hammock. I think it is a product of the design and construction details.

Cheers,
Darrel

**Merganser** · 08-15-2009, 20:56

I think its a precision thing. The variables are the fold itself and any twisting that occurs when you whip. I've re-whipped my DIY a number of times for various reasons and have not noticed any inconsistencies. But I always use the same folds and the same whipping direction.