DIY Fabric Hammock Chair

Jane and Sonja

Ideal for any outdoor setting, create your own personal sanctuary with acozy and practical DIY hammock chair project.

5 from 2 votes

2 yards 100% Cotton canvas 10oz, 60” wide, in natural color
Hardwood dowel 1 ¼” wide x 3’ long (such as oak)
Braided Polypropylene ⅜” thick x 18’ long, any color (with 244 lb working load limit)
2”x3/16” Stainless Steel Spring Loaded Security Snap
2”x3/16” Stainless Steel Quick Link with 3/16” zinc plated passing link chain with 450 lb safe work load
Drill Press and drill bit 3/8”
Sewing machine and matching thread pins
Iron and ironing board
Fabric Scissors
Measuring Tape Ruler/ Yardstick, chalk or wax
Large safety pin

Measure and mark 2” and 4” from both ends.
Using a drill press, drill a ⅜” hole through the dowel at the marked spots and then sand any rough edges of you have them.

Fold the canvas fabric in half with selvage edges aligned. On one end of the fabric, measure and mark 13” from the folded edge. And then on the other end, measure and mark 28” from the folded edge.
Using a long yardstick, draw a line using chalk or removable wax connecting the marked spots. Cut along the marked line to create a trapezoid shape when fabric is unfolded.
Finish the straight edges of the cut fabric (the short side is the top and the long end is the bottom of the hammock chair). Fold edges in 1/2” and press. Fold again another 1/2” and press, then stitch the hem in place.
Along the diagonal cut lines, fold edges in ½” and press. Fold again another 1 1/8” and press. Pin along the folds to hold in place while sewing. Tuck in the extra bulk on the ends where the edges don’t align.
Stitch the hem in place forming a wide channel for the rope to be threaded through.
Add an extra triangular stitch at all 4 corners for added strength.

To cover a pillow form that measures 10”x14” in size, cut a piece of canvas that measures 12”x16”
Using a patterned stencil, I added a zigzag pattern to the canvas.
Once dry, fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with RIGHT sides together and stitch the short ends together. Stitch the long end together as well leaving an 8″ gap opening at the back. Turn the pillowcase right side out and insert the pillow form. Stitch the opening close.

Cut the rope to 18’ long.
Fold the rope in half and tie a large knot 5” from the fold creating a large loop for hanging.
Thread the rope ends through each of the wooden dowels closest to the center. Knot the rope underneath the holes.
Continue threading the rope through the channels in the canvas, starting at the shorter end of the chair. Add a safety pin to the ends of the rope to help thread through the channel.
Once through the channel, thread the ends through the remaining holes on the wooden dowel in the opposite direction. Knot the ends securely to hold the hammock together.
Hang the chair to be sure the lengths of the rope are ok. Once the lengths are good and balanced, cut the ends of the rope above the knot and melt them so they won’t fray.

Wrap the chain around a sturdy branch and connect the ends with a quick link. Clip the security snap through the center loop of the hammock and then clip it to the quick link.
Adjust the gathers in the canvas so both sides are the same and well balanced. Add the seat cushion and enjoy!

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