Curved end seams for tighter edges??!!

[windchild81]

I searched and searched but i can`t find anything on how to sew a curved hem at the ends for the suspension rope, to achieve a tighter wall. I followed the directions but my gathered end hammock has these floppy walls and i feel like i am going to fall out!

why do other people`s hammocks look so darn good? what did i do wrong to get my walls so sloppy?

[Bradley]

I am thinking the same thing that
if the ends had a slight curve cut and sewn into it
so that the center length was about one inch longer than the both edges,
the hang would have tighter sides and a bellier middle.

Only problem is the cut would have to be opposite making it counter-intuative.
but then the seam would be curved but the fold would still be straight . . . ?

So the cut end would then need to be straight
and pinned at a curve,
then sewn giving the end a curved fold ? ? ?



I think

[WV]

You could turn that floppy edge at the foot end into an advantage by sewing a triangle onto it - sort of a WBB footbox clone. Dimensions of the triangle might be 19" x 19" x 28" or thereabouts, + or - 10" for each. In other words, get in your hammock and measure. The bottom corner of the triangle is where your heels are.

A different fix is to turn the floppy edge over to make a channel that's half the length of the hammock (from the foot end to the middle on the foot (right) side. Put a drawcord that's mostly cord with a 15" section of 1/8" bungee. Put a cordlock toggle on the end of the cord that sticks out at the middle of the hammock so you can fine-tune the tension. The bungee is strong enough to hold the edge up (it is mostly your top quilt that's in danger of sliding over the edge, not you), and when you sit sideways it stretches so the edge doesn't cut into the backs of your knees. Do the same thing on the left side so you can adjust the tension under your head. This is easy to incorporate in a double-layer hammock like the Z-hammock, but should work with a single-layer, too.

[Knotty]

I sometimes add a right triangle to one side, creating a footbox like WV describes. You can't use this technique on both sides since you need one plain side to enter and exit (footbox stitching isn't up to the strain). I like WV's 15" section of bungee idea if you want to tension both sides.

Have yet to try cutting and sewing the fabric so ends are curved. Should be doable and should produce a hammock edge that can withstand the strain of sitting over the side.

[oldgringo]

If you get the sides "high and tight", sitting comfort will be impacted, and exiting the hammock will be somewhat more difficult. Be careful what you wish for...

I likw WV's bungee solution.

[nacra533]

I'm with old gringo.

High sides / tight walls make the hammock sleep like a banana. For me, floppy sides allow for a more diagonal lay => flatter lay.

I think that is one reason so many people like the ENO DN. It's xtra width really allow you lay on a good diagonal.

[sclittlefield]

Toss a couple webbing loops on the edges in appropriate spots and use some shock cord to pull the edges out - in whatever shape you want. That'll keep the floppy edges out of your face, but also allow the nicer asym lay that the floppy edges allow for.

[windchild81]

wow thanks guys!! So many ideas!!

I might try the bungee idea. Last night I was messing around with it, and I decided to just pull the end pieces up a bit, then whip.

Worked!

I folded the hammock in half, then starting from the closed side (the middle of the hammock) I folded like an accordian in 1 inch folds. then I took and shifted the folded mass away from center a bit. I think that less is better, and the walls wind up being a tiny bit floppy, but lots of space is left for the body.

Also, if I separate the fist 8 folds by, say, 3mm, and then progressively increase the distance as I get to the edge folds, it seems to work real nice.

And the best thing is, if I get it wrong, I can just unwhip, refold, rewhip, and hang it again! ( I got it wrong the first 3 times)

[WV]

Toss a couple webbing loops on the edges in appropriate spots and use some shock cord to pull the edges out - in whatever shape you want. That'll keep the floppy edges out of your face, but also allow the nicer asym lay that the floppy edges allow for.

Thanks, Scott. I forgot to mention that I often use tie-outs, as well. I either attach them to the corners of my asym tarp or stake them separately (or tie to vegetation). You can also use trekking poles to prop them up and push outward. Plant the tip of the pole in the ground under the end of the hammock. Hammocks with the triangle panels or bungees may not need tie-outs. Mix and match various remedies to achieve a comfortable lie with a simple set-up (our perennial goal ).