DIY 12' SilPoly hex tarp

[Smokey Mtn Hiker]

Banjo, that is awesome looking tarp. Know you are looking forward to use it.

Congrats on good job.

[JMBdevotee]

Looks great! Looking to make the same tarp kit for my next DIY project.

[FLScouthanger]

Good looking tarp, Banjo! Nice, tight pitch. Well done.

[LuvmyBonnet]

Good job Banjo, looks great. I have been wanting to make a Silpoly PU 4000 tarp in MARPAT. It's not made in PU 4000 so I either have to settle for PU 2000, get PU 4000 in different color or wait until someone makes MARPAT in PU 4000.

[Monkeyboy42]

Looks like a great tarp. Do you think you'll get a good seal on the French seam? I haven't seen anyone else do that. Warbonnet comes close with their bias tape seam. I think I'm seeing this right? You did step one and two of a hybrid seam, but skipped step three? From diygearsupply for reference: https://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/sewing-tips/

I'm really curious for future, since it skips the last step of the hybrid French seam (flat-felled). Unless I'm mistaken you have to worry about sealing both the original seam, and both sides of the second seam. I suppose if you get any leakage you can always fold it over, and do the third seam.

How is it sewing the ridge tie out reinforcements with this seam? I'd assume they ends would have to be folded I've flat anyway?

[BanjoPicker]

Looks like a great tarp. Do you think you'll get a good seal on the French seam? I haven't seen anyone else do that. Warbonnet comes close with their bias tape seam. I think I'm seeing this right? You did step one and two of a hybrid seam, but skipped step three? From diygearsupply for reference: https://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/sewing-tips/

I'm really curious for future, since it skips the last step of the hybrid French seam (flat-felled). Unless I'm mistaken you have to worry about sealing both the original seam, and both sides of the second seam. I suppose if you get any leakage you can always fold it over, and do the third seam.

How is it sewing the ridge tie out reinforcements with this seam? I'd assume they ends would have to be folded I've flat anyway?

Yes, I basically did step 1 and 2, but not 3. I figure I can always go back and do step 3 later (like you mentioned). The seam is folded over at the ridge line tie outs as you reasoned. Basically about 4 or 5 inches on each end. The underside of the pullouts has HyperD 300.

I am waiting until better weather to seam seal it and rain test it. I'll post back whenever I do it and report the results. I'm not expecting it to leak much since the seam kind of stands up and because of the orientation of the stiching. I am going to just seal the underside of the seam.