Hello,
here is my latest project:
A 2-person lightweight hammock.
Materials used:
12 meters of Dyneema cord-4mm/ 81 g / 16,80€.
6 meters of ripstop nylon parachute silk-raw fabric-36g-sqm-2-choice 216g / 20,40€.
Makes about 1,5 liter pack size and 300g for about 40€.
My inspiration was my old Cambodian jungle hammock, but unfortunately it's a bit too heavy (about 1kg) and bulky (3Liter). The main feature of these hammocks is the double layered fabric which is used to keep insects away when you lie between them and wrap up.
The construction is relatively simple:
Fold 6 meters of fabric lengthwise so that you get a piece 3m x fabric width. Then sew one long side and then the front side (see instructions below). For the hanging, simply fold over 5 cm of fabric (full width) and sew with several parallel seams. The cord is pulled through the resulting tunnel across the entire width, and the fabric is then simply gathered together. (So you have 3 meters of double cord on each side of the hammock). In the corners it makes sense to install quarter circles for tension relief. (Tip for this: before you sew around the tunnel, turn the mat inside out and mark half circles with a cup, sew through and then cut out the half circles afterwards - of course leaving the seam on - and turn it right side out again).
Make it more beautiful:
The hammock is a prototype. I would do some things differently on the next one. (seams, thread, needles). But I have already put these changes in the description and sewing instructions. And unfortunately, the stitch length setting on my machine is broken (always 1mm).
Sewing Notes:
This nylon is really very thin. Therefore it is necessary to make the fabric 4-ply at the seams. Take the construct from the outside (right sides together) and fold the "seam allowances" inward and sew once neatly.
The fewer seams the better. Take fine but stable thread.
Use the right needles so as not to destroy the fabric. Do not make the stitch length too tight. For the tunnel, the whole thing gets more difficult ... since only one layer of fabric has to support all the weight at this point (if you lay between the fabric panels), you have to work with staggered seams here. I would make 3 seams close together (3-4mm) with maximum stitch width but making sure that the stitching points are slightly offset. This will ensure that all seams are supported.
Further thoughts:
The parts of the hammock have a theoretical load of (values only estimated because I don't like/can't calculate the dynamic load):
Cord 1250daN x 2 because double - 1/3 because knot / 2 safety = 833 daN = approx. 833kg ?
Fabric 30daN on 5cm x (120/5) = 720 daN / 2 = ca 360 kg ?
So I think you should not rest your whole weight on your elbow - theoretically. Practically there were no problems - even with my 103kg.
The cord could also just carry, but I would not dare to go in there with two people. And above all, use another knot that puts less strain on the rope.
Who is smaller could also shorten the fabric. Was out of the question for me (190cm).
Tips:
The fabric must be breathable otherwise you have a sweat hanging bathtub.
For weather protection just put a tarp/poncho over it. If it is cool and windy I put a thin Evazote (5mm) inside. As a knot I like to take the double bowline because I can make him without threading in the middle of the rope and he is also easy to solve again
Hammock
Parachute silk hammock
Instructions and material list for a UL hammock
Write a comment
Send us your story
Do you have an interesting D.I.Y. project? Share your sewing projects with the extremtextil community