MYOG tarp: where to start?

[Rich G]

Hey everyone, I’m completely new to gear making and sewing, but would like to make a flat tarp.  Where should I start?  My Wife just got a sewing machine for Christmas and she is in the process of figuring it out.  I’d like to make a flat tarp big enough for both of us but have no idea where to start.  Are there any good videos out there to watch?  I imagine that a flat tarp would be one of the easier projects to start on.  Anyway, a nudge in the right direction would be great! Thanks..

[Brett A]

Not a video but Quest Outfitters has a “How-To” and layout instructions for a 2P cat tarp for $4.  Maybe that could be modified to suit your needs.

[Jordo _99]

A flat tarp will be really straight-forward…This will get you a 9-10 foot square tarp

1. Buy your tarp material x4 as long as it is wide (a 54″ wide fabric needs 216″ or 6yd…and that results in a 9x9ft tarp)
2. Cut it in half (resulting in two 54″ by 3yd pieces)
3. Sew both pieces along the long edge (doubling the 54″ width and giving you a square) using a 1″ flat felled seam (just google it…it’s not as hard as it seems and pictures help a ton)…this seam is your “ridge line”
4. Sew the outside edges with a 1/2″ to 1″ rolled hem (size doesn’t matter)
5. Cut 6″ strips of webbing, fold the end together to give you a loop and sew them to the underside of the rolled hem fabric (sewing it ON the hem gives you 3 layers of tarp)

Optional: Add reinforcement fabric to the areas with tie-outs before you roll the hems…doing it after is fine but it’s slightly stronger and looks more professional if you do it before the hemming step.

[Rich G]

Thanks.  That gives me some stuff to work on.  Would the 7 D Silnylon be a bad place to start?  Is the thin fabric much harder to work with?

 

[Jason McSpadden]

My first and only tarp I made myself using Ray Jardine’s kit.  It’s wonderful!  Great instructions and a wonderful tarp.  http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml

[R]

It’s somewhat harder to handle than a 30d.  It’s the silicone coating that makes it really slippery, but you’ll probably be buying that no matter the fabric weight.  Long straight seams are the best place to start.  Pinning first, especially the rolled hems, will be a big help.  Take your time.

BPL’s guide to sewing straight seams: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/reference-resource-index/#post-3504859

More sewing tips w/ illustrations: https://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/sewing-tips/

BPL’s guide to making a UL tarp: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/reference-resource-index/#post-3511545

A deeper dive in to attaching webbing loops: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/reference-resource-index/#post-3504861

Aaaand ye ol’ Google image search: https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+tarp+pattern&rlz=2CAGGAB_enUS0537US0538&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic8Kbr_svYAhUFzGMKHWjgC3MQ_AUICygC&biw=1280&bih=703

 

 

[Rich G]

Thanks Rene!

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