Have made many a stuff sack, TQ, hammocks and other small projects but have never tackled a tarp.
I am not going to go into step by step details as there are many DIY videos and tutorials on how to make a tarp so I will just stick to some notes and observations.
My goal...to make a 12 foot Camo Tarp with doors. Originally I planned to make this a cat cut tarp but decided for my first tarp I would keep it simple and skip the cat cuts.
Ordered 10 yards of Camo Silnylon from Dutch ( you will not find it on his site as it is hit and miss if he has any, I got lucky as he had a limited amount when I ordered it ) way back in August. Due to health issues at the time I was way behind on projects and yard work and just now got around to making the tarp.
I found Fronkeys DIY Tarp video to bevery helpful. I did not use his design but still found it a very useful guide. Can be found here....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E7Ah2KDUoU
I used SirMarkos video on how to sew a Tarp Double French Seam as my guide to sewing the ridge-line.. Can be found here.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT3XknoBV5c
Another excellent guide can be found at DIY Gear Supply here http://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/tarps/. I used the measurements for the winter tarp plans for my tarp.
That silnylon is very slippery stuff when you have it laid out on the floor for measuring. Take off your shoes and socks and walk barefooted on it. Still slippery but your feet will offer better traction.
To make the rough cuts I had to lay the silnylon on my living room floor ( only room with enough open floor space ). I folded the silnylon in half and sewed the ridge line before cutting the tarp. That way I only had to measure and cut once. I used a couple of clips and pins to hold the bottom edges together. I then used a sliver sharpie to trace the ends for cutting and cut a little to the outside of that line. Once both sides were rough cut I laid the ends on my work table and did the final cut to make sure I had a clean straight edge. I left the bottom edge alone as it is very straight and did not need any trimming.
I then measured the weight and its came to 10.5 ounces before sewing the edges and adding the reinforced corners and tie outs and grosgrain ridge-line.
I set it up in the back yard and sealed the ridge-line and let it dry. After allowing it to dry for a couple of hours I did the water check test and did not see any sign of leaks..
I may add side pull outs later.
Finished weight before sealing 17.9 ozs
Weight after sealing, microbinners and tie outs...20 oz
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