Which tablecloth material for scouts?

[Roadrunnr72]

I have a few scouts that are interested in getting hammocks. The easiest way to go is the tablecloth blanks. No cutting, just have to sew the end channels, then they can make their own whoopie slings. I see that the tablecloths come in the regular polyester or the crinkle taffeta. Which one would be better, the polyester are a little cheaper.

[OneEye]

My recollection from previous threads is the crinkle taffeta is the preferred material. I believe the regular polyester was a much heavier fabric.

[vampiresmiley]

The Crinkle Taffeta tablecloths in 60 x 126 are just about perfect for a scout.

Michael

[Roadrunnr72]

I was reading a couple of thread, and saw where most were using the CT. But didn't see anything about the polyester. Trying to keep cost down, but also want them to have comfortable hammocks that will last. Thanks......RR

[gmcttr]

The plain polyester is about ~4 oz/sq yd compared to ~2.6 oz for the polyester crinkle taffeta. The majority that have tried both cite the CT as being considerably more comfortable...myself included.

[fishbait]

When my troop found itself in need of funds a spaghetti dinner worked real well. You can get everything that you need that way. Just out of curiosity how many boys in the troop there RR?

[WRS]

I put a CT together last weekend .I just whipped the ends and larks headed the whoopies right on the hammock.It is more comfortable than my old Byers UL and $25 walmart special.It is wider so I get a more diagonal lay.

[Roadrunnr72]

When my troop found itself in need of funds a spaghetti dinner worked real well. You can get everything that you need that way. Just out of curiosity how many boys in the troop there RR?

I'm still getting everything together so I'll have an idea of cost. We currently have 14 registered, but only about 10/11 that are really active. I have been using a hammock for about 2 1/2 years, and have finally got a few interested, not all. Even had an Assistant ask about 1 last fall maybe early winter. Figured that may not be the best time to start out in a hammock. But now that spring should be coming shortly, it's time to get the gear ready......RR

[geneaut]

I hung my 60X126 crinkle taffeta at our last BSA Freeze-O-Ree a few weeks back. Got down into the high 30s with a pad, a sleeping bag, and a fleece bag insert. Slept nice and comfy all night.

The boys thought I was pretty cool This sunrise made it even better. I woke up, reached into my ridgeline organizer for the camera phone and snapped this shot without even getting out of the sleeping bag.



By the way ... I didn't sew end channels. The end hems are open on one side, and I was able to run mason line through the channel and out a small hole I worked into the sewn up end. I just cinched the line at that point, and then added a little whipping just for fun. No sewing required

[ag1024]

This is a good idea. If I had the boys order 2 of the tablecloths, could they use one as a low cost tarp? That would help with the cost.