Tarp from 70 Denier DWR calendared nylon ripstop?

[grannypat]

I had my sewing machine out working on some projects, one of which was to make a heavy duty double-layered hammock so I could offer it as a loaner to friends so they could trying out hammocking. I put the helper cats outside, swept the floor in anticipation of laying out the material, took the packaging off, and discovered I had ordered (1) only half of what I needed to make the hammock and (2) DWR calendared nylon instead of just ripstop. Must have been having a really bad day when I ordered that! I have 11 yards of 60" wide fabric. Can I use this to make a tarp? I know this info. is on the forums somewhere, but my disqust with myself is disrupting my search-fu. Thanks for your advice.

[pgibson]

DWR Calendared is not waterproof. It has a water replant added to it to shed some light moisture but would not keep out rain. Is it ripstop? Either way it would still be best for a hammock. And 11 yards would get a couple hammocks.

[grannypat]

DWR Calendared is not waterproof. It has a water replant added to it to shed some light moisture but would not keep out rain. Is it ripstop? Either way it would still be best for a hammock. And 11 yards would get a couple hammocks.

It is ripstop. Wouldn't it be sweaty? I tried to blow through it but didn't feel anything on the other side. You are right about the 11 yards--oops, I was thinking feet.

[pgibson]

It could also be coated...there are several types of coating out there, Polyurathane Silicone, combinations of the two. That then would make it waterproof and better for a tarp, pack covers, etc. Do you have a link to where you got it from? Possibly their description would shed some light on if it's coated or not. Weight per yard, if listed, would also give an idea if its coated.

You can also suspend some over a pitcher, pushed in a little to form a area to add water. If it dribbles through then not coated, if it holds water then coated.

[grannypat]

It could also be coated...there are several types of coating out there, Polyurathane Silicone, combinations of the two. That then would make it waterproof and better for a tarp, pack covers, etc. Do you have a link to where you got it from? Possibly their description would shed some light on if it's coated or not. Weight per yard, if listed, would also give an idea if its coated.

You can also suspend some over a pitcher, pushed in a little to form a area to add water. If it dribbles through then not coated, if it holds water then coated.

It looks shiner on one side than the other. This is the link: http://store.magnafabrics.com/produc...&product=25085. I'll try the water test.

[raiffnuke]

From the website you provided:

60 inch width, 1.9 ounces a square yard Calendered and Durable Water Repellent 100 Nylon 200 thread count...

This is DWR and not suitable for a tarp. You can make many other goodies from it though.

[grannypat]

It is pretty resistant--I've had it setting with water in a piece of it over a glass and there has been no leakage, but I rely too much on a tarp to keep me dry to take a chance and it seems like it would be too sweaty for a hammock. I guess I'll set it aside for now.

[grannypat]

I let the material sit for about an hour with water in it. It didn't drip, but the water wetted the other side of the fabric, so it would drip eventually. Maybe I can make a hammock out of it. If water will seep through, maybe it would breath enough. I'm going for it--a DL hammock. It's only time and money right?

[raiffnuke]

That's the spirit! Can't wait to see pics when you are finished.

[Borday]

I made a double layer hammock out of the same material , and with 1/8" amsteel whoopies it is stout and comfortable.