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Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive
Cut Your Own 10.5' x 10.5' Tarp Square
Nylon isn't always sold in the dimensions you'll need to make a tarp tent. Here's how to construct your own square.
What You'll Need- 7 yards of 60" or 63" silicon-impregnated nylon
- Wax pencil
- Seam sealer
- Cut nylon in half lengthwise to make two 3.5-yard halves. Sew together to form a rough square. Seam seal the new seam.
- Lay the fabric matte-side-up and secure tarp corners with weights to keep it taut. Measure a 10 x 10-foot square and mark dimensions with pencil. These are your final dimensions.
- Measure and mark a 1/2'-inch-wide perimeter outside of the initial measurements for seam allowance. Cut the square out along this perimeter.
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READERS COMMENTS
just go buy a ground sheet that is for a squarish tent and use it. perhaps like the REI hobitat tent ground sheet. then the edges and seams are already done. some ground sheets are really cheap and they are waterproof already too.
Posted: Mar 03, 2009 rizzle frizzle shizzle
This entire idea is not needed for a simple shelter. All you have to do is string a tarp (your choice of size) between two trees.
Posted: Jan 29, 2009 Luke
The main seam should be a french fell seam. Also worth mentioning, silicone coated nylon is capable of supporting flame.
Posted: Oct 17, 2008 Mike
These directions for the tarp pattern should have been included in the Sept 2008 mag with the rest of the article.
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 Chris
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