Yes, you’re in the right place. This month’s Power Tool Challenge was to use unconventional items. For me, that is FABRIC. I made a DIY Drop Cloth Hammock! I can sew when I have to, but it’s not how I prefer to spend my time.
The rules were we had to use at least one power tool.
How to make a drop cloth hammock
Luckily, I have the perfect place to hang a drop cloth hammock, and I get to admire my diy picket fence while lounging!
I have tons of pinecones if you have ideas for me.
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Here’s what you’ll need
Materials needed to make a DIY hammock out of a drop cloth:
- Drop Cloth (mine was 6x9)
- Heavy Duty Upholstery Thread (I used 2 small spools)
- Braided Nylon Rope (I bought 50 ft, and had plenty left over)
- Metal Rings 2” (2)
- Heavy duty metal hooks (2)
- 2x2 (6 ft)
- Duct Tape (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- Stencil (optional)
- IOD Roller Stamp
Tools:
Fold Drop Cloth to Have a Stronger Hammock
This is where I tell you “do as I say, not as I do”. I’m not a seamstress by any means. I wanted to double my drop cloth, so I sewed the two long ends together to place on the bottom of the hammock. Because I sewed the two hems together, it sort of created a SPINE on the hammock. I think it would have worked better had I cut the hems off, then sewed the two ends together. I believe because the hems are so strong, they don’t give as much as the fabric does.
Pin all steps before sewing
Each end of the hammock was folded under about 5 inches so I could HEM the pocket. Before sewing, I cut out a 2x2 square and hemmed it. Again, this is where I tell you don’t do as I do. When I went to slide my rope into the side, and the side was sewed shut. I had to rip out a small section all four corners. Those of you who sew, can figure this out. Those who don’t, you can pin the pieces and do all the steps before you sew anything.
Mark, Pin and Sew the pocket to hold your 2x2
At this point, I haven’t ripped the seams yet. I folded the hem about 5” and sewed the hem at 4.5 inches. I hemmed one end, then ran out of thread—so I was on hold. Who needs a hem guide when you have a Kreg multi-mark tool?
NOTE: I had trouble erasing the pencil marks. Note to self—buy an eraser.
This is the rope I used.
Insert rope on each side of Drop Cloth Hammock
In this picture you can see where I had to rip out the stitching. Because I only had one end hemmed at this point I was able to use my entire arm to thread the rope through each side. I pinned everything in place, then hemmed the other end.
Sew the entire length of the diy hammock to encase rope
I sewed the entire length of the hammock letting the rope be my guide.
Cut 2x2's to size
After measuring the the width of my hammock I cut my 2x2 to size.
It’s important to line your rope up so that it naturally falls where you drill your hole.
The flow of the rope will determine where you drill the holes
After inserting the 2x2 into the hem of the hammock, I marked the center of the board for drilling.
Drill Holes
I drilled the hole for the rope, placing a scrap board underneath to keep from having tear out on the wood being drilled.
Painter's Tape aids in pulling rope through drilled holes
I taped the ends of the rope to feed them through the holes on the wooden support bar.
Tie Knots on Metal Rings to Hang DIY Hammock
My neighbor Rodney helped me tie the knots onto the metal rings. The length of my rope from ring to support bar was 24”. Your length may vary depending on the set up of your trees.
Burn Ends of Rope to Prevent Fraying
The ends of the ropes were trimmed and burnt with a lighter.
Secure ends of rope with duct tape
White duct tape was used to bring the ropes together on each of the four pieces.
Attach drop cloth hammock to tree
To add the hooks to the trees, I first drilled a pilot hole, then used a small pry bar to aid in screwing the hook into said tree. A large screwdriver would also be helpful for this step.
Optional: embellish diy hammock with paint
I wanted a little embellishment on the ends of my diy drop cloth hammock. So I chose some Heirloom Traditions Peppery and my IOD Roller Stamp. I applied just a little paint on a plastic bag with a cheap chip brush.
A scrap board was used to try to keep me on a straight line. The transfer of paint isn’t perfect, but I love the little touch of color it adds. you can see I ended up tying a knot on the underneath side of the support bar.
You can see the “hem” showing through the bottom of the hammock. It doesn’t interfere with the way the hammock works or feels. It’s very comfortable and I’ve really enjoyed lounging it it. The sweet vase and tumbler are available from my friend Leen Sand Dollar Lane Box, Coastal Farmhouse Décor to your Door! The book, is So Close To Amazing from my good friend Karianne of Thistlewood Farms! I’ve only read a few chapters, but if you LOVE karianne’s stories, you’ll love this book. At the end of each chapter she gives you the details for a diy project!
Enjoy your afternoon hanging out in a diy drop cloth hammock
Please PIN IT!
My new diy drop cloth hammock is the perfect place to enjoy a cold drink and a great book, or play a game on my phone. Stop by tomorrow and I’ll show you the details on my sweet new side table!
But till then, it’s time to check out the other projects from the Power Tool Team!
My Repurposed Life How To Make A Drop Cloth Hammock (you are here)
My Love 2 Create How to Make A Jewelry Holder
H2OBungalow DIY Copper Tin Can Candle Holders
Create and Babble Copper and Wood Magazine Holder
Domestically Speaking DIY Wood Tool Box
Virginia Sweet Pea DIY Industrial Pipe Bookshelf
Just The Woods DIY LED Wood Mosaic Table
We'll be back next month when the theme is Repurpose AND READER CHALLENGE! Yep! You get to share your repurposed projects next month and possibly win a PRIZE! I made a One Pallet Project--Easy Potting Bench
gail
Sharing here: Inspiration Monday
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Hannah
Creative mind is a compliment that i would love to give you Gail. Fabolous Hammock. I really like the paint embellishment. I have a place in my home where i can install a Hammock, thanks for sharing this, i will make one and will share it with you.
Gail Wilson
Hannah!
That makes me smile! I'm so glad that you are inspired by my drop cloth hammock. I am sure yours will be fabulous! Please do share, and I'll share it with my friends.
gail
Lauren
I love this -- and I love that you are secure enough in your work to lay in it hahaha! I wouldn't trust MY skills like that. That little chair table is so cute too - great idea. I've been collecting the short 'squatty' pine cones to make 'zinnias' with. If you turn them upside down, they look just like zinnias so you can paint them bright colors or fall colors or whatever. You just cut them off so you have the 'flower' part left.
Gail Wilson
I love zinnias, so I think I should definitely make some of those. How do you clean your pine cones? Mine are a mess! One more question, how do you display them?
gail
Lauren
I soak mine in the sink for half an hour with a cup of white vinegar in the water. Then I put them in a 200 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. I have giant ones that I sprayed silver for Christmas but I display them with hedge apples in baskets in the Fall.
Gail Wilson
awesome, thanks!
gail
Ginene Peuckert Nagel
Gail, your hammock is a really creative and excellent idea. I was thinking about how well it would wash in the machine and how sturdy it will be and then it occurred to me that I bet it could even be scotch-guarded! ~Ginene
Gail Wilson
Great idea to scotch guard the drop cloth hammock. I'm sure I'll just hose it off and hang it to dry should it get dirty. I'm still enjoying it much more than I ever thought I would.
gail
Maryann
How fun Gail!! What a great project!
Angie ~ Ambient Wares
This is amazing! I wish I had a couple trees to attach a hammock too. Now I'm thinking about what else I could attach the ends to š Pinned!
Wendi@H2OBungalow
Wow! This is so darn creative! I hope you get to take some time to rest and enjoy that awesome hammock! Love the rolled trim with the IOD roller. I brought one of mine to VT so I could do projects here with it too! Pinning and sharing your awesome project!
kandice
very cool!! we have a hammock upstate that is falling apart. I love this idea
Gail Wilson
Thank you kandice!
Mindi
This is so fun Gail! I think I could use one of these, great tips on how to hang it...that is the part I would be worried about! Also, I am so glad I am not the only one that sews seams shut when I was supposed to leave them open! hee hee!
Pinned!
Gail Wilson
Thanks for pinning Mindi! for me, I love to sAw not sEw š
GirlfromWva
Really like it, especially the painted embellishments !!!
Gail Wilson
Thanks Nova-I never thought I'd enjoy a hammock so much!
gail
Jeanie
I love hammocks and yours is fabulous Gail! What a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of DIYs!
Gail Wilson
Exactly Jeanie! I have taken several "breaks" in it already.
thanks for stopping by!
gail
Paula
You are so smart to think of a way to make your own hammock and it looks like you have a great place to relax in one. I like the paint embellishment you gave it and I look forward to seeing how you made your stool when you share it tomorrow.
Gail Wilson
Thanks Paula-I never, ever thought of buying a hammock. That's what I love about these challenges, they make me think out of my regular box. š
gail