To Make a Hammock

If you want to make your own hammock and you have not ever made one before, be prepared to make more than one. I have some very amusing memories as to how my first hammock manufacturing attempts went. If I remember correctly I think I even sold the second one. I hope they didn’t hurt themselves too badly.

Before you start the process you must make a decision as to which type of hammock you want to make. And a word of warning here. If you are going to do this project as a labor of love, then great carry on, but if you are doing this to save money – beware. You are unlikely to save money doing it yourself. I am not joking. Experience has taught me that about 75% of all first hammocks break tear or collapse in the first minutes of use. However if you are doing it to startup a hammock business, then you need that failure experience. It will stand you in good stead in the future.

The most popular type of hammock is the standard type of two point canvass or rope style. These are probably also the easiest to make. Most of these are so basic that all you really need is 2 meters of fabric and 2 poles.  You need to consider the hammock chair type of hammocks, and the very popular hiking and camping types. Once you have a good idea as to which general direction you want to go in, you must break down the details even further.

You will need to decide on whether to go for lightweight or for heavier padded or canvass types. This would depend on how portable you need the hammock to be. If you are going to manufacture it on the spot it is going to hang, you have no restrictions at all. You could use steel cable and chains. Then couple that up with chunky wood and industrial strength canvass. My opinion is you would end up with a great looking avant-garde industrial hammock. Whether it will be comfortable or not is a good question.

Perhaps the best advice I could give you is to use the following items and to keep the whole process as simple as possible. So, get some ripstop nylon, also known as parachuting fabric, do not get the crackly type. It must feel soft and silky to the touch. Some of the “crackly” types have been treated or have had a backing attached and you might find it is weakened a bit.  Then make sure that you do all the sewing with industrial cotton, and preferably on an industrial machine. Just one small tip here, take care it is important. Set your stitch length wide. If you have the stitches very tiny it creates the same effect as that “tear-along-the-dotted-line’ thing and you run the risk of tearing it easily.

On the hammock forum websites there are a lot of the guys that will give you detailed plans and measurements on specific types of hammocks. They are very often the suppliers or the clips and components of the things, and you will need to get those somewhere. They are a very friendly and helpful bunch of guys. Visit all the sites you can to see what types are available out there. If you feel confused at all, rather buy a hammock, hang it up and lie in it while you contemplate what to do next.

About the Author

If you enjoyed this article please feel free to come and visit the blog for a lot more hammock stories. i have opened up my blog to allow anyone to contribute. please visit - http://robanderson.iblog.co.za/
or my squidoo lens - http://www.squidoo.com/hammock-chairs-1

Cotton Padded Swinging Videos

Relaxing_Cotton_Padded_Swing_Chair_Patio_Garden_Home.wmv

Cotton Padded Swinging Q&A

how much does care supplies and equipment for a baby cost?

this includes cotton balls, laundry detergent, baby lotion or oil, baby shampoo, baby soap, a baby carrier, swing, bassinet, a crib including mattress and pad, car seat, baby bathtub, playpen, stroller, and anything i might have missed.

Cotton Balls-$3
Laundry Detergent-$5
Johnson's Lotion-$3
Johnson's Shampoo-$3
Baby Soap-$2
Baby Carrier-$15
Swing-Fullsize($80) Travel($40)
Bassinet-$75-$85
Crib-$125-$175
Crib Mattress-$65
Car Seat & Stroller Combo-$160
Car Seat (single)-$80
Stroller(single)-$100
Bathtub-$20
Playard-$100
Bouncer-$55
High Chair-$80
Dresser-$100
Pacifiers-$3
Bottles-$15
Diapers-$20
Clothes-$400
First Aid Kit-$15
Bottle Brush-$2
Wipes-$4
Activity Center-$55
Toys-$100 and up

Everything you need for a new baby?

I am in the process of compiling a 'what to buy' list for my sister. I have tried to include everything I needed for my baby plus a few other bits.

Can you think of anything I may have left off the list?

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A NEW BABY

10 vests
10 baby gros
10 bibs
5 pairs of socks
2 hats
2 pairs of scratch mits
5 muslin cloths
grobag
two thick blankets
two thin blankets
baby monitor
bed/cot
moses basket
mobile
room thermometer
rolling mat
play mat
bouncer
swing
pram with foot muff & rain cover
parasol
car seat
chest of drawers/wardrobe
nursing bras
breast pads
gripe water
breast pump?
bottles?
formula?
2 dummies
pram toys
few other toys
talc
changing mat
nappies
wipes
2 towels
baby wash
baby bath
changing bag
cotton wool
nail kit
vicks
sudocrem
food storage containers
feeding spoons

well it definately sounds like you've thought of everything your very well prepared!when is the baby due?if it due in the colder weather then perhaps you could get one of those snowsuits...i found them great for keeping my daughter toasty warm when she was newborn, especially when she was brought home from hospital or a couple of cardigans for the colder weather