Tarp without triangle reinforcements

**infrastellar** · 04-19-2017, 04:20

Hi

I made two one piece fabric asym tarps before, without reinforcement triangles. I just put a piece of grosgrain inside of the double rolled hem. The tieouts are sewn right on the rolled hem with the grosgrain. Both tarps are made of xenon .9 Used them several times, looks well with no visible damage, experienced some wind too.

Well, I need to make one winter tarp out of this fabric, and thinking about skipping the triangles reinforcements part. Let me ask here, anybody tried this before with some experiences? Thinking about it a lot and I think that it should work, just cannot find a reason not to. But I am not experienced at all, so I hope to look for the mistakes made here

Thank you.

**Flatliner** · 04-19-2017, 08:42

I use 1.1 poly so your results may vary. With that said, I stopped doing triangles several tarps ago with no issues. Instead, I use a piece of grosgrain long enough to have 2-3" on each side and sew them on along the rolled hem in a bit of a triangle pattern to spread any strain. I'd post a pic but am traveling at the moment. Sewing it into the hem would not provide enough purchase in my opinion.

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**infrastellar** · 04-19-2017, 09:42

thanks! please post a pic later

**Flatliner** · 04-19-2017, 20:41

I won't be home for a week BUT I just noticed the 'cowboy batwing tarp' thread. My method is very similar to the pic in the first post.

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**kitsapcowboy** · 04-19-2017, 21:16

I just made this DIY 12-foot widebody all-season tarp; it's my first time using grosgrain edges without any reinforcement patches...

I'll be updating the thread over time with performance notes, including any issues along the various seams.

**infrastellar** · 04-20-2017, 02:06

well done! thanks for the replies, i will skip the grosgrain all around too. Just small pieces inside of the rolled hem where the tieouts will be.

**infrastellar** · 09-22-2017, 04:19

Hi Cowboy, any news?

I made my huge square winter tarp without reinforcement patches, experienced some really strong winds, and must say that the tieouts keep in place with any damage.

**kitsapcowboy** · 09-22-2017, 06:27

Originally Posted by kardinal_emilus

Hi Cowboy, any news?

I made my huge square winter tarp without reinforcement patches, experienced some really strong winds, and must say that the tieouts keep in place with any damage.

My big winter tarp still works well and has no wear after nearly six months, although we've had a record dry summer up until the torrential downpours and hailstorm this week. That said, I don't expect any problems with the tarp through the winter months to come, but I'll try to update you again after another six months.

**Firesong** · 09-22-2017, 09:14

All of the tarps from Little Shop of Hammocks are made by rolling grosgrain in the hem at key points and integrating the tie outs into the hem, not the panel. No issues. Had a couple weather fronts blow through us and the tarps show no sign of wear. Keep in mind that if you leave anything 'flapping and whipping' in a big wind it will tear a tarp no matter how it's reinforced.

**kershaw** · 10-11-2017, 04:28

My real first tarp is a Jacks r Better 10x10 and doesn't have any reinforcements at the tie out points. That tarp is 9 years old and has never had any tear issues.