Summer is here! It’s time to spend more time outdoors. Go and grab your swimming gear, beach bats, and soccer ball and whatever you want! You’re not only going to be having fun, you’re giving your body the exercise that it needs to stay healthy.

Need a nap after all the activities? Don’t go sleep indoors, rather build your own hammock.

You will need…

1) A cotton beach towel/blanket or piece of fabric (minimum length and width: 40″ x 80″)

2) Scissors

3) Pins

4) 1 inch of leather strapping (if your sewing machine cannot sew leather, nylon or canvas strapping would also work)

5) Mid- or heavyweight cotton muslin or canvas (at least 4″ x 40″)

6) Strong rope for hanging hammock

7) Cotton thread

Note: You’re going to need a sewing machine to complete this project.

Method

1) Spread out the blanket or beach towel across a table. Now, cut out a 42” X 80” rectangle and fold over 1” on the longer sides so that it measures 40” X 80”. Then, sew up the folded sides.

2) Take the leather or canvas and cut out two 2” strips. Place this, flush, on top edge of the towel or blanket, which you then fold over the canvas and sew up to ensure a strong, secure hem – repeat this on the bottom edge.

3) Cut the leather or canvas strapping into 6” strips. Make sure that you have 18 of these – 9 strips per side.

4) Now, fold the strapping in half, creating 3” loops. Pin these loops, evenly across the 2” hem that you’ve already sewed – the ends of the loops should end at the same spot as the hem.

5) Put the front side of the hammock into the sewing machine and stitch the straps to the fabric. Do this for each loop.

6) It’s time to attach the rope. Cut eighteen pieces (8 inches each). Feed a strand through each loop (9 per side). Fold them in half – now each rope should be 4 inches long.

7) All of the strands must now be combined together to form a massive loop. Once this is done, tie the loose ends of rope together to one giant 30” knot. You should now have a large knot that is holding the loop in place.

8) Now, take the cotton thread and wrap it around the big loop as many times as possible, so that you have a solid, sturdy and protected loop. Do the same on the other side.

9) Feed another piece of rope through the giant loop – this is the rope that will be strung to the tree. Repeat on the other side. Make sure the trees are very strong to ensure it will hold your body weight.

Climb in, relax and bask in the wonder of the summer season, but please remember your sunscreen!

*This DIY hammock is adapted from designsponge.