DIY Tarp Build - Ultralight Membrane Silpoly

My Gear List (with purchase links): diy-sportsman.c...
Podcast: sportsmensnati...
This is a DIY Tarp that I build specifically for hammock camping in 3 season use. However, the square tarp design is a very versatile one, and it can be pitched in many different ways on the ground with trekking poles. I went with Membrane Silpoly for a material. It doesn't have as much stretch as silnylon, and it doesn't absorb water or suffer from UV degradation as much.
Membrane Silpoly fabric: ripstopbythero...
HyperD300 reinforcement facric: ripstopbythero...
Thread: ripstopbythero...
Carabiners: amzn.to/2xX1zZw
Guyline: amzn.to/2gZjap3
MSR Mini Groundhog stakes: amzn.to/2xXEmkV
Ultimate Hammocks straps: amzn.to/2xXBzIv

[@Jhollowed25]

I only watched this video to see how you're managing the rolled hem on Membrane Silpoly. The stuff is so thin and slippery, that I found a rolled hem foot to be extremely frustrating to use. I had resorted to just pinning the whole damn thing. But I was astounded to see that you're literally just rolling it by hand, with a regular foot... you make it look so easy lol

[@aliceinwonderland8314]

Having the tie out points sandwiched between 2 triangles (or between the main tarp fabric and the reinforcement triangle) would likely give the fabric better tension and reduce the risk it breaking/ripping. I'm planning on making a custom tiny tarp approx. 1.5mx1.5m for bivvy camping with. I'm thinking of potentially making it diamond shape for more pitch versatility, but then I'd have to be extra careful with the grain and bias of the fabric.

[@OmegaCreationsChannel]

still the best video on how to diy a tarp

[@17025601]

Great job! Most guys can't sew worth a darn. You did good, from design to completion. Congratulations!

[@sdqsdq6274]

lol , that because none bother to learn , some of the best chef are guys , go figure ...

[@ripperkon]

Thank you, dude. That helped me. Keep it up.

[@johndoes2434]

I've used to seal a poly tarp clear grease bicycle grease fur gars yes it can be a little messy but in time it will stop when I was wiping down real good with a rag and it gets into the joints and it actually does a better job than the silicone to silicone won't work itself into the joints

[@tonyv8925]

Nice video, very informative...thanks for your efforts

[@hop333]

Very helpful guidance, thanks.

[@bishoparchery]

Love this channel, great information and passion goes into your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@benvalentine2534]

You're awesome mate. I want to have a crack at this myself. Wondering how that tarp has held up after 6 years? How has the fabric held up? Cheers for the video, really enjoyed it.

[@DIYSportsman]

The fabric eventually tore after about a year. I had the tarp strung up in some fairly decent winds, maybe gusting over 30mph and it was a bit too much for that thinner material to handle.

[@theatticdesign]

? @DIYSportsman Cheers for the reply mate. I'll have to rewatch to see what denier the original fabric was. I am assuming though that the tear had nothing to do with the treatment or do you think that the treatment somehow weakened the threads. P.s sorry I am logged into my proper account, hence the different name.

[@DIYSportsman]

It was the Membrane Silpoly from Ripstopbytheroll. It's marketed at being a lightweight material moreso than durable. I'd bet if I'd used a more typical 30d silnylon it'd have held up longer.

[@kaboom362]

Wow.. That's impressive. You're pretty smart guy. You should consider holding a seminar

[@DIYSportsman]

+kaboom362 Thanks. We did just start up a podcast as well. Links can be found on the website.

[@DGengeVlogs]

Cool video man, i may have to try this some time and if i do i will post a video to my channel

[@supernotfunnyman]

Good video! I appreciate what you did right and wish you did better. Thanks!

[@brockdelorenzo7505]

Great job. New sub here. Can’t wait to watch more

[@marialund1335]

Hi! Great video! I have a question, do you put the Seam sealer on both sides of the seams, or just on one side? If only one side do you put it on the " wrong" side or the "right" side?

[@alasdairfulton7249]

Is there a reason why you cut then sew the ridge seam, rather than just either using it as a giant square (added stretch resistance?) or just folding and sewing the ridge? Seems like cutting (and then re-cutting after the first fold/stich) are just extra steps?

[@timonix2]

If you can find a 9ft wide roll of fabric it is better to just leave it uncut. But his roll was 4.5ft wide. so it needed to be doubled up. Half the length, twice the width.

[@sdqsdq6274]

@@timonix2 yeah ,seem like most sell 1.5 m width only

[@kaym2332]

Thanks for the guide. Do you by chance have a video for the hammock, if you made it?

[@DIYSportsman]

I do not. I had bought a warbonnet hammock.

[@rickiriarte7245]

How did you keep the tarp material from bunching up on the sewing foot?

[@valdius85]

I’m considering a bigger size tarp - 3.5 - 4m square. I’ll use it with my family of three of us. These are expensive. Would you consider doing it yourself or just buy one?

[@DIYSportsman]

Depends on how comfortable you are with sewing. With the bigger tarps there's more sewing and seam sealing which is where a lot of the cost in the commercial ones come from.

[@ihikefar]

How much extra did you allow for the French seam? 5/8” or more?

[@TabethaAurochs]

@ 1:55 uses two pieces of paper to demonstrate. He's not using a French seam, but it could easily be done, and would arguably be a stronger seam as both SA are fully encased from the first seam - I would still use a 5/8" SA for the first two seams, the 1st seam trimmed down to 3/8" before turning WSO to encase both SA in a 5/8" seam, then felled flat by edge stitching 1/8" from each edge. particularly because most silky nylons will ravel & fray as much as possible just to make my life hard 😡. My machine is definitely not as nice as his, I have to use some kind of interfacing or stabilizer to sew anything that silky or thin; otherwise it gets bunched into the plate and/or feed dogs. Hope that helps.

[@Trevor.Morrice]

did you seal the pull outs? ive read hyperd doesnt like silnet

[@justgonnastay]

Sorry, my question is not about the tarp, which looks great, but about the hammock. I cannot sleep on my back for very long, so is it even possible to sleep on your side or stomach in one of those?

[@willbardwell3600]

Chris Moore I'm a pretty avid hammock guy myself and I too can't sleep on my back for very long. I can honestly say I can sleep on my back in my hammock with no problem and it actually helps my back. The first time I pulled an all nighter I had been having some pretty bad back aches. I woke up feeling better than I had in months. You can however get somewhat sideways in a hammock if you curl your knees up a bit. Hope this helps

[@DIYSportsman]

+Chris Moore Good question. Typically on the ground, I toss and turn a lot, moving from my back to one side, then the other. But with the hammock, I basically sleep on my back the entire night without sore spots. I don't have to toss and turn anymore. Even though they look curved, if you lay at an angle in the hammock, which is recommended, you actually lay pretty flat. So laying on your sides works, but you can't really lay on your stomach.

[@DIYSportsman]

+Chris Moore I just saw Will's comment, but it looks like my thoughts are pretty similar to his. Also, getting a hammock that's big enough for you is important. If they're too short, it can be tough to get a flat lay, and therefore less comfortable.

[@sdqsdq6274]

ripstop nylon stronger then silpoly ?

[@MrVTer]

Nice tarp and camping rig. How'd you do with the elk?

[@DIYSportsman]

+Greg Magnant I got a mule deer (video on channel). I didn't have an elk tag.

[@philipbuckley759]

it is interesting, but do you know that gatewood, and go lite ponchos are rain covers, for you and your pack....completely, no water running down your back and into your pack....and double as a shelter....almost the same weight, as your one service tarp....

[@pmango6]

What are your thoughts on this diy underquilt?It looks very intuiative. Check it out. leiavoia.net/pages/hammock/geminiquilt.html

[@DIYSportsman]

+Patrick Manganello It seems pretty easy to make. Like the article says, you don't get all of the advantages of a pricier dry down with higher fill, but you also don't have to sew which is nice. I have a DIY Apex underquilt kit ready to put together at home from RBTR. Like the cheaper down, it's a bit heavier and requires sewing. Cost was similar. Apex is a little more bombproof in the elements.