Ribbon for tarp ridgeline - nylon or polyester?

**Dave-O** · 12-04-2015, 11:47

Originally Posted by Boston

I use 7/8 because 1 inch isn't easy to find. If you can get 1 inch I'd use that.

Boston,

I checked the manufacturers website, it looks like they make it in 7/8" and 1-1/2". Do you think the 1-1/2" (folded over the ridgeline it would be 3/4") would be too big?

Sincerely,
Dave-O

**Boston** · 12-04-2015, 12:46

Not at all, if that's what you want to use. I've thought about it myself - it'd be a little easier to sew and overlap the 1/4" seam I use to pre-sew the panel together - but I ended up getting tired of hunting down the small 18ft spools and having leftovers that I had to find some use for, so I bought a spool. I got a lot to use before I'll need more now, lol.

**hutzelbein** · 12-10-2015, 07:09

Originally Posted by Boston

It's not grosgrain. It's single sided polyester satin tape, with the shiny satin side turned to the inside.

Thanks, now I just have to find out if I can buy it in Germany or at least Europe. I'm sure there's a source, because I just noticed that UK Hammocks uses a very similar ribbon on their hammocks.

Originally Posted by Firesong

Xenon is poly. Dutch has confirmed this on many occasions

Interesting. Do you know where he said so? I had assumed that Xenon is an improved version of Argon Sil. But there's no information on the website or in the introduction thread - or at least I couldn't find any. Polyester would explain the low stretch of the fabric.

Originally Posted by Diz

I would agree with snowball, you want to transfer the ridgeline tension across the reinforcement media and not the tarp material, so a lower stretch polyester. I am working on a new winter tarp and am going with a standing ridgeline seam with a single folded polyester grosgrain ribbon.

Dang. I have already ordered quite a few Yards of Dutch's nylon grosgrain. I guess when using it for tie-outs and panel-pulls, the slightly stretchier material doesn't make much of a difference, right?

**Firesong** · 12-10-2015, 08:04

I emailed and asked Dutch. It's polyester.

**Snowball** · 12-10-2015, 12:02

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

Thanks, now I just have to find out if I can buy it in Germany or at least Europe. I'm sure there's a source, because I just noticed that UK Hammocks uses a very similar ribbon on their hammocks.

Satin tape
Its fairly common and available in many fabric/sewing shops.
The problem could be the width but i have seen it in 25mm (1").
IMO you should only use it for the visual effect. Its not nearly as strong as grosgrain so i doubt it can be used for suspension.

**hutzelbein** · 12-11-2015, 03:06

Originally Posted by Firesong

I emailed and asked Dutch. It's polyester.

Good to know, thanks.

Originally Posted by Snowball

IMO you should only use it for the visual effect. Its not nearly as strong as grosgrain so i doubt it can be used for suspension.

I don't really care for the visual effect. I'm just copying the Warbonnet design, which has worked very well for me. I don't think that Warbonnet would use the tape for cosmetic reasons. The tape itself is also used for the ends, that connect to the tarp suspension:

I pull my ridgelines pretty tight, and so far the ribbon WB uses doesn't show signs of failing.

**Snowball** · 12-11-2015, 11:23

What is shown in the pictures is not the Satin ribbon i know from the local stores. Its more likely its some kind of edge binding tape.
I do not know but i think the reason WB use it is because its faster to sew this way.
My guess is the fabric is sewn with 1 or 2 seams and no folding and then its covered with the edge binding tape. Its how i would make it. Quick and most likely as strong as any other folding seams.

**hutzelbein** · 12-11-2015, 11:29

Originally Posted by Snowball

What is shown in the pictures is not the Satin ribbon i know from the local stores. Its more likely its some kind of edge binding tape.

Argh. Back to square one. @Boston - do you agree? You seem to have a lot of experience with DIY tarps (well, a lot more than me, anyways...).

**Snowball** · 12-11-2015, 11:40

I would not hesitate to use GG for something like this. Remember its folded so its twice as strong (wear).

If you dont trust gg for the loops just ad a extra layer of gg in the ends.
WB style ridgeline.png

**Boston** · 12-11-2015, 12:36

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

Argh. Back to square one. @Boston - do you agree? You seem to have a lot of experience with DIY tarps (well, a lot more than me, anyways...).

This is what I use: http://www.offray.com//single-face-s...20Face%20Satin

One side is satin, the other side is matte and "textured". The satin side should be on the inside, unless you like the shiny appearance.

Grosgrain works too.