Make your own tarp

Make your own Tarp with Brenda Cupryna
Filmed By Barry Godin

This was filmed at the Cycle Touring Festival 2019 - And this year due to what is happening in the world the festival is going virtual.

It was a last-minute decision to film it at the festival, we met at 6am, and the only building open was the breakfast hall, and so you can see many a face slowly wake up as the coffee kicks in, and the hustle and bustle of the festival beginning for the second day.

The quality is not the best, but I hope you can follow along. Brenda is an incredible wealth of information and an amazing teacher, I learnt so much doing this and have been using the tarp built in this video and its brilliant!!!

Underneath are the starting instructions that came with the build your own tarp kit, and also some links where to purchase so of these materials

MAKE YOUR OWN TARP

Kit contents
2 pieces of silnylon approx. 2.2 x 1.4 metres
2 pieces of 2.5 cm webbing 22cms long
15 pieces of 1.5 cm webbing 6cms long

You need to supply a sewing machine – straight stitch is OK but a one that does a zig-zag stitch is useful. Older metal machines are often a better buy second hand, as they can handle the fabrics well without jumping all over the table, due to the weight.
Get a package of a good quality needle topstitch size 90/14. Schmetz are my needle of choice or a Superior Threads Titanium coated needle of the same size. The larger eye of the needle accommodates the stronger thread we are using.

Preparation
The webbing has been prepared for you. After cutting to size the ends are lightly melted to stop fraying.
The two 22cms pieces of webbing are folded in a sideways S shape curling the ends approximately 5cms over on each end and stitched down. This forms a loop at each end.
Use either a straight stitch or a multiple zig-zag going over the end to secure it. This will be used as a puller for the ends of the middle of the tarp. The other loop will allow you to have a line under the tarp to hang glasses , damp clothing on etc.

Good polyester thread can be purchased online from Empress Mills , Colne
https://www.empressmills.co.uk

Silnylon can be purchased at BST fabrics South Shields https://www.bstfabrics.co.uk