Hammock design question

**craige** · 01-10-2013, 20:51

Welcome to hf from Midlothian!

Originally Posted by Knotty

That may be the answer. Aren't DD hammocks narrow?

Considering how cheaply it can be done, why don't you knock up a gathered end hammock using my DIY instructions or one of the other tutorials and see how you like it. For the trial, you don't even need to finish the long sides. 126" of raw fabric is a good starting point.

Dd hammocks are 1.4m (55inch) in width so nit really that narrow but they are quite short, 2.7m (106inch) so that may be an issue, also dd instructions say to hang the hammock pretty tight (no srl) so probably the length and low hangle mostly causing the uncomfortable lay.

There are loads of resources on here on different diy designs but I dont think I've seen anything like what you're talking about. Don't really know how it would work tbh.

Definately agree with the diy options though, fleabay often has decent range of ripstop for quite cheap and there are numerous other sources as well.

If you want, pm me and ill send you the UK fabric retailers bookmarks I have.

Craig

**SurvivalStudent** · 01-11-2013, 20:17

So a longer hammock would make a more comfortable lie? I'll have to give it a try. Thank you

**craige** · 01-11-2013, 21:18

It really depends on your height and the hammock design, my current hammock is 3.2m x 1.58m end channel, I found it fantastic and I'm 6'3". Sgt Rock is using a 9ft x 4ft ghost hammock and he finds it comfortable. It's all about ex people experimenting and finding what works best for you, that's probably why so many people diy.

**SurvivalStudent** · 01-12-2013, 09:42

Thanks all.. ive just finished stitching a load of scraps together to give me a sheet of material to play with (old parachute) so will give a few things a try before committing to a fresh sheet and definite design.. ill keep you all posted.

**JohnSawyer** · 01-12-2013, 16:16

Keep in mind that a piece of fabric, to be structurally sound, needs to be one long piece as long as your hammock. Gathered end hammocks don't need much lateral strength, and a lot of bulk manufacturers will use several strips of fabric to make a multicolor or wider hammock...

I would not trust a "patchwork" hammock that has horizontal seams... but that's just me...

maybe Rev can chime in on seam strength and set me straight.

**craige** · 01-12-2013, 18:28

+1 on this, the other thing is that because seams will be effectively 2 + layers of material and poleyster (thread) stretches less tyan nylon, there will probably be stiff and stretchy sections and may make it feel uncomfortable.
Or the opposite could be true and the seams could all be in the right places and you'll never be able to replicate the patchwork to have another lol.
It may be ok for experimenting with length + width though, just dont hang more than a couple inches above the ground, unless you are a cat and can land on your feet if you are higher up?

Pm is inbound with my bookmarks as per request. Plus a short essay