It’s a beautiful summer afternoon, shadows and sunlight dancing together on the freshly mowed grass, creating an almost surreal hideaway, and drawing you in….

What a great day for an outdoor nap! Well, if you had an outdoor hammock the world would be perfect. Well, guess what? You can make your own hammock!

What does it take to make a hammock? You’ll need something for the sling or bed andsomething at each end to string it up. That’s it!

We’re going to explain how to make two different kinds of hammocks and you can decide which you prefer. The first has crossbars at each short end, holding the sling flatter, more like a sheet. The second has multiple loops on each short end, making those ends more like a gathered edge, and the sling will be folded together the whole length.

The Crossbar Hammock materials list:

1. Outdoor canvas fabric, about 96” x 40”.
2. FOR CROSSBAR HAMMOCK ONLY: Two crossbars, 2” diameter wood dowels or heavy metal pipes, 30-36” long
3. FOR GATHERED HAMMOCK ONLY: 24 pieces of fabric, 8”x4”. You can use more of the canvas fabric, or strips of leather, etc.
4. Rope –¾-1” thick rope, as much as it will take to hang your hammock, and about 12’ more for the gathered hammock

At a fabric shop, ask for outdoor canvas – you’ll be amazed at the selection of colors and prints available. (If you have a few extra beach towels around, sew two together and use that for your sling.)

Make a hem on each long side of the fabric by turning the side under twice, about ½” each time. Double stitch over the top of the hem with a heavy-duty thread.

CROSSBAR HAMMOCK: On each long fabric end, turn the fabric over to the back side twice: first time about ½” and second time about 5”. Now double stitch over the ½” turn. You’ve just created pockets for your crossbars.
Slip your crossbars through the pockets – they should stick out each end 3-4” to accommodate the rope.

GATHERED HAMMOCK: for each 8”x4” piece of fabric, make a single hem in each 4” side. Then double-fold the 4” over so you have a piece that’s 8”x1”. Sew down each side twice for strength.

When all 24 pieces are complete, mark out 12 evenly-spaced spots on each short end. Place 1 on each mark and fold it over to the back side so that it forms a loop. Sew in place with a rectangle around the outside and an X through the middle.

Now the most difficult part: find a Boy Scout, sailor or cowboy and ask them to show you how to tie the knots. For the Crossbar hammock you need to attach the ropes to the ends of the crossbars, then to your anchors – trees are perfect, but not your only option.
For the Gathered Hammock, thread a 6-8’ length of rope through each loop, gather all ropes from one side together and use your knot expert to tie them together.

And you are done! Time for that great summer afternoon nap under the shade tree.Happy snooze! I would like to share one fabulous DIY project about simple summer hammock on Design Sponge! I hope, you will love this and that.

One more thing about Hammocks, Don’t forget to visit fabulous collection of Hammocks & Hanging Chairs on Vista Stores!