DIY Tarp Tent UPDATE 2

DIY

This post should have been made about a month ago…

I finished my tarp, but I have not had a chance to get out and properly test it. With winter coming, I’m not likely going to get out until spring. I might try to get out a hike over the winter, but I am a fair weather backpacker.

While operating the seweing maching and producing consistent hems was not easy, I was a surprised at how quickly I was able to pick up the skill. No one will mistake my work for that of a professional, but I’m reasonably confident that the tarp will fit my needs and enhance my backpacking kit. Patience was a big factor. I found that I was able to sit down and focus for about an hour or so and then had to take breaks.

Here are a couple photos of the finished product set up in my backyard.

The final dimensions are approx. 9’ long x 6’ wide and it weighs about 16oz. I have tie-out loops at all four corners and at approx. 3’ intervals along the long edges for a total of eight. Each tie-out loop is about 1”. At the ridge line, I attached 1” D-rings at the ends to accomodate a standard a-frame setup with trekking poles.


D-Ring Attachment at ridge line.

I used the heavier material to reinforce all of the tie-outs as seen below.
Top of a corner tie-out

Bottom of a corner tie-out

A couple of thoughts:

  • I may add additional loops on the underside of the ridge line. These would serve as connection points for rope to hold my bug net off my face. Also could be used for a clothes line on a rainy day.
  • I used 3/8” grosgrain ribbon for the tie-outs and I think ½” probably would have been better.
  • I used 1” d-rings and think that ¾” would have been better assuming the trekking pole tip would fit through.
  • I bought WAY too much thread!
  • Total cost was about $85.00

    • Thank you to my wife and mother-in-law for the sewing machine and crash course in using it.