How to Make a Canvas Hammock

Cut one 53" wide by 80" long piece from both the canvas and the decorative fabric for the body of the canvas hammock.

Cut two 8" wide by 45" long pieces from both the canvas and the decorative fabric for the pole casing at the head and foot of the hammock.

Place an 8" x 45" canvas piece and an 8" x 45" decorative piece with the right sides together for the pole casing.

Fold the length of each pole casing in half with the canvas sides together and pin. Baste the raw edges together.

Place the decorative body piece face up on a flat surface. Match the raw edges of one pole casing to a raw edge on one 53-inch side. Center the pole casing. Match the raw edges of the other pole casing to the opposite end of the decorative body and center. Place the canvas body with the right side down on top of the decorative body. Pin the 53-inch sides.

Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance along each 53-inch end of the canvas hammock body. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch along the 53-inch ends.

Baste the long edges of the canvas hammock together. On each side of the hammock, fold over and press a 1/2-inch. Fold over another inch, press and pin. Stitch to form a casing. Stitch beside this first stitching a 1/4-inch apart to reinforce the seam.

Clamp a closet pole, with a scrap piece of wood underneath, to your work surface. Drill and a 1/2-inch hole, an inch from each end. Repeat for the other closet pole. Make sure each hole is on the same side of the pole. Insert the pole in the pole casing of the canvas hammock.

Cut the rope in half. Melt the ends with a lighter to prevent the rope from unraveling. Attach the end of one rope piece to a large safety pin or bodkin. Thread the rope through the casing on one side of the canvas hammock. The same amount of rope should be extending from each side of the casing. Repeat for the other side of the hammock using the remaining rope.

Knot the rope extending from the casing, just below the closet pole end. Thread the rope through the hole and make a knot above the closet pole. Repeat for both closet poles and in each drilled hole.

Bring the rope together and attach the metal rings on both ends of the hammock with a secure knot. The ring should be about a foot above the pole casing. Adjust to fit your hammock frame or use the excess rope to attach your canvas hammock to two trees.