DIY: How to Make Hammock Straps

The next time your hammock straps snap or break for any reason, there is no need for you to rush to the sporting goods store or rush to go online to buy new ones. With just the right set of tools and a little patience, you can make your very own straps with nothing but items that you can find around the house and in the local market. Making your own hammock straps, also called tree huggers, is a rather easy project and can be done without having a sewing machine.

So, what are the things needed to make the hammock straps? We’ll get to that part, but before, they stick a look at how tree straps should be used.

How to Use Hammock Straps

1. Firmly wrapped the strap around the tree’s trunk, passing the ends of the strap that are loose through the loop on the opposite end, and fasten it tight around the tree.
2. Tie a spike hitch in the strap’s loose end a few inches away from where the loop is.
3. Attach the hammock suspension to the spike.
4. Repeat the same on the opposite end of the hammock.
5. Lie down and relax because you’re all done!

DIY: How to Make Hammock Straps

Now that you know how to tie a hammock strap, let’s proceed to learn how you can make one at home and use at your convenience. This segment will be divided into various parts starting from the supplies you’ll need to the process involved in the making.

Supplies Needed: First, you would need two polyester straps that are at least 3 feet in length and 1 inch wide. Since caring for the tree is also a must, try to get wider straps because they tend to evenly spread your weight over a broader area of the tree, reducing the chances of causing damage to the tree.

Determining Strap Length: To choose the perfect strap length, there are a few factors that you have to take into account. First, measure the trees maximum diameter on which you plan to hang the hammock; once done, add about 18 inches towards the loose end which will address to the suspension of the hammock, and keep 12 inches for the figure 8 knot. The sum of these three measurements will be the length of the strap.

Remember, the need for minor adjustments is a common and necessary aspect which you may have to accommodate when needed.

Different Strap Styles

No Sew Straps: If your preferred straps style doesn’t involve sewing, simply cut the strap to the appropriate size, use a flame to seal the ends to reduce fraying, and do an overhand style knot in one end. This will make a loop large enough to pass through the strap’s other end.

Sewn Straps: This method might be complicated, but also an elegant way to make sturdy tree straps for your hammock. The process will be divided into multiple parts, which are as follows:

1. Cut the strap to a length of appropriate size and use a flame to seal the ends.
2. Take the strap and fold it 4 times keeping the weight back on itself, meaning if the strap width is 1 inch, then the appropriate fold size should be 4 inches back on itself.
3. Sew 4 medium length straight stitches at the minimum down the section of the strap that is overlapped, leaving the area that is unsewn at the end and forming a group that is 1.5 times the strap width. Example – if you’re strap is 1 inch wide, then the idea loop should be 1.5 inches at the end.
4. Many people like to sew in a box style and leave “X” inside of them, but authentic sources of proved that a row style of stitching can prove to be much stronger than the box style method. You can use a sewing machine and heavy thread combination. You may also sew using your hands, but it will be more difficult.

Conclusion

The fact that hammock straps can be easily made at home makes hammocks even more of an attractive option for those who do not want to spend money buying from stores or online. Your favorite hammock will always be ready to use and give you the ultimate comfort once you’ve learned the “ropes” of how to make straps at home. Use this new found knowledge to get started right away!