Time to learn how to sew a double bunk hammock! This is a two-level hammock that allows ratties to snuggle and hide in the lower layer, or just lounge around up top! This is another one that I really love to make. It looks so comfy and much more intricate than a standard hammock, but isn't any harder to make. Really, if you can make a regular 'ol hammock then this will be a breeze for you!
I would like to point out here that this hammock was inspired by the Bunk Bed hammock offered exclusively for sale on Mainely Rat Rescue's website. Obviously you should feel free to make this hammock to hang in your own cage or even to give as a present, but as this hammock is an MRR exclusive you should not make it with the intent to sell it unless you have first contacted and obtained permission from the folks over at MRR.
What you will need to sew this hammock (all measurements given in inches):
- Standard sewing apparatus (sewing machine, scissors, thread, measuring device, etc)
- 15" x 15" piece of cotton fabric
- 15" x 15" piece of fleece
- 8.5" x 8.5" piece of cotton fabric
- 8.5" x 8.5" piece of fleece
This hammock is actually remarkably simple to make once you have the hang of sewing a standard hammock. You'll want to start out by placing your 15" x 15" piece of cotton right sides together with your 15" x 15" piece of fleece. Sew around the edges as you would any regular hammock, leaving a space unsewn to turn the fabric right side out. Slip stitch it closed.
Do the exact same thing with your 8.5" x 8.5" piece of cotton and your 8.5" x 8.5" piece of fleece. What you should have now is two square hammocks.
Lay the larger of your two hammocks on your work surface with the cotton side facing up.
Lay your smaller hammock on top of the larger hammock with the cotton side facing down (cotton sides together). Now for the only remotely tricky part of this hammock! And it isn't even tricky. I know, I know, I say that a lot.. but really, these are all so simple!
What you'll want to do is pull the corners together and pin them. All four corners should be pinned. Once you have them pinned, go back to your sewing machine and stitch just the corners -- maybe about one to two inches down each side. Once you've stitched all of the corners you can snip off the tip of each corner (as always, be careful not to cut your stitching!) to get a nicer finish. Turn the entire thing inside out, and use a chopstick to push the corners into neat points.
If you're having trouble figuring out how to turn the entire thing inside out, here's a little illustration for you.
Now all that is left to do is add grommets and hang!