Joining hammock material (fabric)

[djocoy]

Is it safe to sew widths of 1.9 ounce ripstop together lengthwise to make a hammock wider? The widest material at JoAnn's is 59" wide. I would like to join three pieces using a full flat felled seam. I would be adding about ten inches to either side of a normal 59" wide piece, which would place the seam away from the bottom of the load bearing area. Do you folks think that to be safe? Thanks in advance

Daryl

[Catavarie]

Yes, many hammock manufacturers do this very thing.

[Browny]

Made a single narrow DIY into a wider double layer by putting the wider fabric underneath and stitching the edges.

Makes a great pocket for a pad or such (not that I use it though)

[jwright]

My ENO doublenest is made this way. They even use different colors on the sides
for added appeal.
Jason

[Ramblinrev]

If you use the proper seam technique it is no problem whatsoever. I would advise a flat felled seam or its cousin, the folded over french seam. They are super strong and should give you no hassle when done correctly.

[Syb]

If you use the proper seam technique it is no problem whatsoever. I would advise a flat felled seam or its cousin, the folded over french seam. They are super strong and should give you no hassle when done correctly.

Even when putting weight directly on the stitch? For example, what if you sewed two 35" pieces together and the seam was directly down the center? Would the flat felled or folded over french seam still suffice?

[Ramblinrev]

Even when putting weight directly on the stitch? For example, what if you sewed two 35" pieces together and the seam was directly down the center? Would the flat felled or folded over french seam still suffice?

The op said the plan was to add to the edges. However to direcdtly address your question... I would not advise sewing the way you suggest but not because of the strength of the seam, which I believe would hold fine. Rather it would keep the hammock from stretching the way it should and would create a rather nasty ridge down the middle which would not be comfortable to lie on.

[Syb]

The op said the plan was to add to the edges.

True, I was just throwing ideas out.

However to directly address your question... I would not advise sewing the way you suggest but not because of the strength of the seam, which I believe would hold fine. Rather it would keep the hammock from stretching the way it should and would create a rather nasty ridge down the middle which would not be comfortable to lie on.

Hadn't thought of that, thanks for the info Ramblinrev, I really appreciate you're expertise.

[djocoy]

Thanks to everyone. I sewed up a trial and ...made it too wide. Now it's very, very baggy :-). I will cut it down to about 65 inches wide and roll hem the edges. It did hold up my weight and that's saying something :-).
DJ

[Morgoroth]

What if the seam was perpendicular to the ridge line?
Would that be ok?

Oh, and is a French Seem the same as a Folded Over French Seem?
The only google hit for "Folded Over French Seem" was this forum.