How to make ...

[Paterson.S]

I am totally making one of those tomorrow!

[cassi.opeia]

i love this post, the pictures you put up make it really easy to see if im messing it up or not.

I'm gunna have to have a project day now, where i make a cube and a hammock.

Thanks so much!!

[Junebug!]

I'm going to try and get to the fabric store ASAP to pick up some cool fleece for my girls, and I'll try to put one of these together!

[Lynxie]

definitely going to try making these to replace the ghetto tubes I have hanging in my rat's cage now.  Can't wait to get paid tomorrow! :3

[radical]

What do all of you use to hang your hammocks and cubes?  I've been using binder rings, but I'd like to use something else.. but I can't seem to find anything else to use.

[Lauren_22]

What do all of you use to hang your hammocks and cubes?  I've been using binder rings, but I'd like to use something else.. but I can't seem to find anything else to use.

I use metal hanging curtain rings from Walmart. They are in the Curtain section near the rods and tools not the bath section. They come in packs of 12 and are like $1.50 a bag.

[radical]

What do all of you use to hang your hammocks and cubes?  I've been using binder rings, but I'd like to use something else.. but I can't seem to find anything else to use.

I use metal hanging curtain rings from Walmart. They are in the Curtain section near the rods and tools not the bath section. They come in packs of 12 and are like $1.50 a bag.

I didn't even think to look there!  I've been using binder rings which are a bit more expensive.    Thank you!

[flox]

I never made a tutorial, but I made my own hammocks. And perhaps it might help those who were asking how to hang them.

1) Cut fleece into long rectangles (square hammocks) and two triangles (corner hammocks)
2) Cut corners off one of the triangles for each corner hammock
3) Sewed hemming tape along the exposed edges (I'm no good at this, but I don't think the rats care too much!). A bit more durable and attractive (if you care)
4) Folded the rectangles into squares and sewed down. Sewed the cut-corner triangles onto the full triangles, leaving corners open.
5) Cut teeny holes into the corners and pushed through back of 2 part eyelets. Hammered fronts on.
6) Attached clips.
7) Added rats

The eyelets were a pain. I bought a cheap punch from ebay and the parts didn't align, making it essentially useless. The company refunded me without question, suggesting (to me) it might be a common problem I ended up buying a pack of 2 part eyelets from the sewing store (important, I think, as no sharp edges unlike single part ones) - you have to hammer them in, but they look great and they're strong. The fabric is just fleece - and the clips I bought in packs of 10 for dirt cheap on ebay.

No progress shots I'm afraid:







They don't sleep anywhere else now

[Leesha]

I never made a tutorial, but I made my own hammocks. And perhaps it might help those who were asking how to hang them.

1) Cut fleece into long rectangles (square hammocks) and two triangles (corner hammocks)
2) Cut corners off one of the triangles for each corner hammock
3) Sewed hemming tape along the exposed edges (I'm no good at this, but I don't think the rats care too much!). A bit more durable and attractive (if you care)
4) Folded the rectangles into squares and sewed down. Sewed the cut-corner triangles onto the full triangles, leaving corners open.
5) Cut teeny holes into the corners and pushed through back of 2 part eyelets. Hammered fronts on.
6) Attached clips.
7) Added rats

The eyelets were a pain. I bought a cheap punch from ebay and the parts didn't align, making it essentially useless. The company refunded me without question, suggesting (to me) it might be a common problem I ended up buying a pack of 2 part eyelets from the sewing store (important, I think, as no sharp edges unlike single part ones) - you have to hammer them in, but they look great and they're strong. The fabric is just fleece - and the clips I bought in packs of 10 for dirt cheap on ebay.

No progress shots I'm afraid:







They don't sleep anywhere else now

Thanks for the instructions, I'm going to have to try to make these for my little ones!

[digitalangel]

I thought I would post my sewing tutorials I did up for jorats.

Credit goes to Pink who originally told me about this method. Its not really obvious to make them like this until you see it then it kinda smacks you in the head with just how obvious it is!

Step One: Select your fabric, for many of us fabric-holics this may be the hardest step in making a hammock! Fleece/Fleece or Cotton/Fleece. I do suggest a size 12/14 universal needle for this project.

Step Two: Cut out two rectangles of the same size. I recommend 14X31 or bigger (finished sized 13X15). If you have a finished size in mind already double it length-wise then add an inch to the measurements for allowances.

Step Three: Put your fabrics together with right sides facing. (optionally you can pin the short ends at this point if you are not very good at sewing yet


Step Four: Sew a seam down each short side. Seam allowance is optional and do whatever you are comfortable with at this stage. Beginners I would recommend 1/2 to start.


Step Five: Flip the fabrics so that the right sides are now right side out. Sew a top stitch down each of the short sides


Step Six: Fold your pocket so that its in a pocket shape but inside out. Arrange how big you would like each side of the pocket to be. You can make them even or make one side slightly smaller or bigger. Smooth out your fabric and if you like you can pin to hold the pockets in place.


Step Seven: Sew all the way down one side of your hammock, flip it around and repeat


Step Eight: Trim the seam allowances on your hammock to about 1/4 if you made them larger


Step Nine: Flip your pocket right side out now and smooth out. At this point if you wanted you could insert the grommets and call it a day. If you want a more polished look them continue on.


Step Ten: Top stitch along the seam on both sides of the hammock. I think this gives the hammock a polished look, it also prevents rats from chewing on the seams on the inside of the pocket.


Thats it!  If you need any general sewing help or more information on a specific step feel free to PM me or post here and I'd be happy to help you out. If you don't know how old your needle is, its probably time to replace it!

[digitalangel]

How to make a Double Decker the easy way.

[size=150]How to Sew Double Deckers [/size]

Step One: Select your fabrics. Again cotton/fleece or fleece/fleece is fine. You will want a rectangle 16X22 at the minimum. The shorter number is going to be how long your decker is and the larger number is going to be how big the top / pouch is. So you can adjust accordingly

Step Two: Lay your two fabrics right sides together and pin the long sides.


Step Three: Sew along each long side


Step Four: If you used a large seam allowance trim the edges and then flip it right side out.


Step Five: Top-stitch along each long side


Step Six: Fold your decker over right sides together and line up the short edges. You can pin if you like to keep it all together.


Step Seven: Sew along this short side, making sure your fabric doesn't shift around as you sew so your ends come out even. I always like to use a larger seam allowance on this part to ensure that all the layers are going to be sewn through.


Step Eight: Trim this part to about a 1/4 seam allowance. This is REALLY important and will make it MUCH easier to do the next step.

Step Nine: Fold your hammock to the right way around now. You are going to fold over the seam in the hammock and top stitch along it.


Step Ten: Once you have the one seam done measure 7-8 inches out. (you can make the top as large as you wish) And fold over the hammock. You can pin it if you like to keep it in place.


Step Eleven: Sew along this seam

Step Twelve: Grommet your hammock and enjoy!


*note: the bottom pocket of my hammock isn't very big because I was using a remnant that was not as big as the suggested size.

[Sheepy]

I made one of these cubes for my two... and they love it they wont get out of it

Thanks for the design

Sheepy.