Tarp DIY Will Drive Me to Alcoholism

[Cold Butt Stephen]

I'd hasten to point out that you really do NOT want to use sewing pins to hold the fabric while you work the center seam- every one of them will put multiple holes in your fabric at irregular intervals-which must then be seam sealed or drip all night long... go with spring loaded clothes pins, or black office clips to restrain your gathered fabric ..voice of experience here!
KM (who hopes she is in time..)

You are in time. Thanks for the advice. I am going out of town for the next 2 days and will be hitting the grindstone again when I get back.

[MAD777]

I feel your pain, CBS! What could be easier than a tarp? Right? -- Wrong!
It looks simple enough ... like a big bed sheet. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I "made" a tarp! What's to make?

However, don't despair, CBS! I just finished a most beautiful cat cut hex tarp! Its so new, the pics are still in my camera. I promise to post them in this thread tonight.

Tarps can be deceptively difficult!

As promised, here is my successful completion of a hex tarp after my dismal attempt at an asym diamond ... never give up!!!

[samiam2714]

I must be the only person who thinks sil nylon is not a pain in the rear to work with.

I love your tarp it looks wicked

[wildcrafter]

i have been entertaining the idea of making a tarp using the silnylon formula posted on here. My thought were instead of sewing it after impregnation was to sew the tarp and then dip it any thoughts on problems I would have with this.

[exup]

That looks real nice mad777. What's the dimensions? Did you have to sew a ridge seam? That's not a cat cut ridge is it?

[hikelite]

i have been entertaining the idea of making a tarp using the silnylon formula posted on here. My thought were instead of sewing it after impregnation was to sew the tarp and then dip it any thoughts on problems I would have with this.

I've read some discussions of DIY silnylon. The impression I got was it's not worth the effort and the result is heavier than the stuff you buy.

That looks real nice mad777. What's the dimensions? Did you have to sew a ridge seam? That's not a cat cut ridge is it?

That's what I was about to ask. Is that a cat cut ridge? I recently (as in finished last weekend) made a sil tarp with a cat cut ridge. I'm not sure I like it. I like the far cut sides a lot, but I don't think I'll do the ridge again. I'm curious how you like it.

[ChrisH]

i have been entertaining the idea of making a tarp using the silnylon formula posted on here. My thought were instead of sewing it after impregnation was to sew the tarp and then dip it any thoughts on problems I would have with this.

Seems to me like that would be fine, just make sure to use the 5:1 ratio and mix it really good. Then just paint it on with an el cheapo paint brush, both sides. Multiple thin coats seem to produce a better result. FYI, I have never done this just got the info from reading the forums. YMMV

[MAD777]

That looks real nice mad777. What's the dimensions? Did you have to sew a ridge seam? That's not a cat cut ridge is it?

Thanks. The tarp is 116" long x 59" wide at the center (63" wide at the tie-outs). It I made of 1.36 oz/SY (coated weight) silnylon from Quest which was 67" wide in forest green ripstop.

There is no ridgeline and the edges are a true catenary cut at 3/4" per foot. The edges are rolled twice and sewn. The corners at the ridgeline started out at 90* before the cat cuts.

The corner re-enforcements are double layer silnylon (3 layers incl tarp) with 3/4" wide grosgain running 4" away from the corners. The tie-out loops are grosgain. Only corners are seamed sealed (top & bottom) for added strength.

The two tie-outs on one side and one ridgeline tie-out have a 10" long piece of 1/8" shock cord loop as an auto-tensioner. There are two figure 9's, one on each end of the ridgeline. The guylines are permanently attached 1.75mm Zing-It. A small prusik loop connects the shock cord to the guyline for adjustment.

It all fits into a 4"x4"x4" stuff sack made from the same material. Total weight including guylines, tensioners, figure 9's and stuff sack is 7.5 ounces.

I wouldn't change a single thing about it.

[Trout]

Cold Butt Stephen - love the name. Sorry to hear your having problems with your tarp. I used lots of pins and went slowly. Hope your project ends on a positive note.