How to Make a Fabric Tarp

Make a fabric tarp to use when camping.

Lighten your backpacking or car camping gear supply load and save money by making your own lightweight fabric tarp at home. Silicone-coated, 40 dernier ripstop nylon creates a strong, lightweight tarp that you will be able to use on any excursion. Special order your supplies from an outdoor fabric supplier, or find what you need at a local sewing center. Proper care will ensure that your tarp endures many camping adventures to come.

Things You'll Need

• 5-1/2 yards of 40-dernier, 1.1 ounce-per-square-yard silicone-coated ripstop nylon
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Grosgrain nylon ribbon, 24 inches
• Lighter
• Silicone spray

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of nylon, measuring 8-by-5 feet, with scissors.

2. Sew the two nylon pieces together, using a reinforced flat felled seam that uses a criss-cross sewing technique to add strength to the stitches.

3. Sew a half-inch hem around the perimeter of the fabric.

4. Cut four corner and four edge pull-tabs out of Grosgrain nylon ribbon measuring 2 inches each. Cut two ridgeline pull-tabs out of the ribbon measuring 4 inches each. Melt the ends of each cut piece of ribbon with a small flame to prevent unraveling.

5. Sew one pull-tab onto each corner of the fabric. Fold the ends of the cut ribbon together, place the tab onto the fabric and sew all three pieces together. Sew two pull-tabs on each 10-foot length of the fabric, spaced evenly apart. Sew one ridgeline pull-tab on the center of each 5-foot end of the fabric tarp, using three reinforcing stitches to secure.

6. Coat the fabric with a silicone spray to waterproof the tarp, paying special attention to the central seam. Apply several coats of silicone, allowing the fabric to dry between applications.

References

• Hammock Camping: How to Make an 8 by 10 Rain Canopy