The "Taco Wrap" Completed

**Theosus** · 12-12-2016, 13:25

This was my take on a similar hammock to the Hammeck Envy-S, but with a much smaller window. Overall I was pleased with it, and can't wait to go camping in the cold.

https://theosus1.wordpress.com/2016/...ap-completion/

(I call it the Taco Wrap because it completely wraps up Taco, which is my trail name)

**jellyfish** · 12-12-2016, 23:18

This is a beautiful setup. Awesome!

**johnspenn** · 12-13-2016, 06:17

Nice touch with the tie-die, very unique!

**deckster** · 12-13-2016, 07:04

Very cool, and very peaceful. Couldn't help reading a few other entries on your blog, and this one made me spit my morning coffee out with laughter. https://theosus1.wordpress.com/2016/...e-on-your-own/

**rais'n hammock** · 12-13-2016, 07:45

Originally Posted by dweckster

Very cool, and very peaceful. Couldn't help reading a few other entries on your blog, and this one made me spit my morning coffee out with laughter. https://theosus1.wordpress.com/2016/...e-on-your-own/

I like the fabric I the OP and the wisdom in the "don't go alone" post. Great job!

**gtownreb** · 12-14-2016, 01:53

Sooo how did you do the tie dye?ha also that whole set up looks awesome

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

**Theosus** · 12-14-2016, 19:36

Thanks for all the replies. I can't wait to use it.

The tie dye I learned from here. It's a pretty easy thing to do... It adds an extra day to your project, but I like having something unique and different.

I typically start with a base color and then just add something darker. Royal Blue and Hunter Green, both with Navy Blue dye this time.
But I've used robin egg blue fabric with both blue and red dye and loved it.

I usually sew the hammock first and dye last, but it's your choice. If you're using raw fabric - cut the ends with pinking shears or use a hot knife, or melt the ends with a flame. Any loose straight cuts will fray badly. The long sides with the selvedge will be fine, you don't need to cut them.

1 bottle RIT dye, 2 cups vinegar, and 2 cups water. Dump in big pot and stir it around. Heat to 180 degrees.

Meanwhile, tie up your fabric in your choice of styles. I pretty much just do spirals and the snake-belly. Spirals are pretty self explanatory. The ribbed snake pattern is just an accordion fold back and forth. I've also just done a couple of "wads" with small pieces. Wad it up like you're throwing out a piece of paper. Tie (rubber band) the fabric LOOSE. A lot looser than you think. I used two rubber bands on each of the pieces. The nylon fabric doesn't tend to wick in the dye like cotton. My first tie-dye, I wrapped up tight like I was doing a cotton shirt and used 8 rubber bands. The very outside was dark, and there was almost no dye inside. Put the fabric down inside a gallon ziplock bag. One bottle of dye will do about 6 yards or so of regular width fabric.

When the dye is heated, dump it in the bag with the fabric. Squish out all the air from the bag (until the dye runs to one little corner you left open), and then seal it. Flip it about every 20 minutes for 90 mins to 2 hours. Then pour out the dye, rinse the fabric, and dump the whole wet drippy mess in the washing machine. Wash on cold with and extra rinse and fabric softener. I throw the fabric in the dryer on air fluff or low, with a dry towel. after about half an hour it will be dry enough to hang up and it will dry overnight. Enjoy your purple hands if you didn't wear gloves, or if your gloves broke. They'll be normal color in about 3 days.

Do ONE color at a time, of course. If you want red and black on white fabric, you're going to have to tie and dye twice, with a wash in between.

I love the 1.6 ounce hyper D from RipStopByTheRoll. Its strong but light, and after a couple of washings with fabric softener the stuff feels pretty **** good. The regular nylon 1.9 ounce with the little squares will dye well too.

**gtownreb** · 12-15-2016, 00:10

Did you just use normal Rit dye? I saw they have some for synthetic fabrics and wonder if that wouldn't be the thing to go with

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

**Theosus** · 12-17-2016, 16:18

I just used the normal stuff. I tried using some dye for synthetics, but it mostly washed out. Instead of royal blue and green, I had a week-old bruise looking fabric.