Lounge in Style With This DIY Mudcloth Hammock Chair

We promise it's easier than you think.

By: Rebecca Ridner
Related To:
Chairs DIY Furniture & Accessories

Is there anything better than a hammock on a sunny day? Here's a hammock idea that doesn’t require perfectly-spaced trees. I love this swing chair from Rachel Denbow and wanted to try my own by adding a mudcloth design.

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Is there anything better than a hammock on a summer day? Here is a hammock idea that doesn’t require perfectly spaced trees. I love this swing chair from Rachel Denbow and wanted to try my own adding a mudcloth design.

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Tools + Materials Needed

  • 1 1/4" x 3' oak dowel
  • 3/8" x 16' braided polypropylene rope
  • 2 yards of black canvas
  • white fabric paint pen
  • drill
  • 3/8" drill bit
  • sewing machine
  • iron
  • shears
  • yardstick
  • lighter
  • 80 mm stainless steel spring snap link
  • 3/16" stainless steel quick link
Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Supplies: -1 1/4" x 3' oak dowel -3/8" x 16' braided polypropylene rope -2 yards of black canvas -White fabric paint pen Tools: -drill and 3/8" drill bit -sewing machine -iron -shears -yardstick -lighter

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Cut Canvas

To start, fold your canvas in half and lay flat. Measure and mark in 7 inches from the open-top corner. Using a yardstick, draw a line from the mark to the bottom corner. Cut off the angled corner piece and discard.

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

To start, fold your canvas in half and lay it flat. Measure and mark in 7 inches from the open top corner. Using a yardstick, draw a line from the mark to the bottom corner. Cut off the angled corner piece and discard.

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Draw Design

The beauty of a mudcloth design is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Using the white paint pen, freehand a design in rows. The yardstick is helpful in making lines down the length of the canvas. Repeat the pattern of rows across the whole fabric. Continue on the back, if desired.

The beauty of a mudcloth design is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Using the white paint pen, freehand a design in rows. The yardstick is helpful in making lines down the length of the canvas. Repeat the pattern of rows across the whole fabric. Continue on the back if you get the urge and have enough paint pens

Emilee Stanley Photography

The beauty of a mudcloth design is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Using the white paint pen, freehand a design in rows. The yardstick is helpful in making lines down the length of the canvas. Repeat the pattern of rows across the whole fabric. Continue on the back if you get the urge and have enough paint pens

Emilee Stanley Photography

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

The beauty of a mudcloth design is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Using the white paint pen, freehand a design in rows. The yardstick is helpful in making lines down the length of the canvas. Repeat the pattern of rows across the whole fabric. Continue on the back if you get the urge and have enough paint pens

Photo By: Emilee Stanley Photography

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

The beauty of a mudcloth design is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Using the white paint pen, freehand a design in rows. The yardstick is helpful in making lines down the length of the canvas. Repeat the pattern of rows across the whole fabric. Continue on the back if you get the urge and have enough paint pens

Photo By: Emilee Stanley Photography

Sew the Hammock

After the mudcloth design is finished, fold the top edge down 1/2 an inch and iron. Next, fold it in again 1/2 an inch and iron flat. Pin and sew the bottom of the fold, then repeat with the long, bottom edge.

Turn your canvas 90 degrees to the left so that the longest edge is on the right. Fold each corner in about 1 1/2 inches and iron. Then fold the unhemmed top edge in 1/2 an inch and iron. Fold again 1 1/2 inches and iron.

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

After your mudcloth design is finished, fold your top edge down 1/2" and iron. Next, fold it in again 1/2" and iron flat. Pin and sew the bottom of the fold. Repeat with the long bottom edge. Turn your canvas 90 degrees to the left so that the longest edge is on the right. Fold each corner in about 1 1/2" and iron. Then fold the unhemmed top edge in 1/2" and iron. Fold again 1 1/2" and iron. Stitch two lines along the bottom folded edge. Reinforce all edges with back stitching. Repeat with other side.

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Stitch two lines along the bottom folded edge. Reinforce all edges with back stitching. Repeat with other side.

Prep Dowel Rod

Grab your dowel rod and mark 2 inches and 4 inches in from both ends, then drill through completely. Lightly sand any rough edges.

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Grab your dowel rod and mark 2" and 4" in from both ends, and drill through completely. Lightly sand any rough edges.

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Thread the Rope

Tie a knot 3 inches in from one end of the rope. Melt or tape the end so it won't fray or unravel. Thread the rope through the outer hole of the dowel and up from the widest corner of one side of the canvas seat to the narrow corner of the top. Then tie a knot about 3 feet from the first knot, and thread it up into the dowel. Continue to thread it down into the second hole from the other edge, and measure 3 feet from the loose end and tie a loose knot. Thread it down through the other canvas pocket and back up through the last hole before tying a knot with a 3-inch tail. Adjust everything so it’s even before tightening the knots.

Tie a knot 3” from one end of your rope. Melt or tape the end so it won't fray or unravel. Thread it through the outer hole of the dowel and up from the widest corner of one side of your canvas seat to the narrow corner of the top. Then tie a knot about 3' from your first knot, and thread it up into the dowel. Continue to thread it down into the 2nd hole from the other edge, and measure 3' from the loose end, and tie a loose knot. Thread it down through the other canvas pocket and back up through the last hole before tying a knot with a 3" tail. Adjust everything so it’s even before tightening the knots.

Emilee Stanley Photography

Tie a knot with a 8” loop in the center of the rope above the dowel rod. Attach your spring link, and then your quick link. Hang it from a tree, on your porch or inside your house from a hook screwed securely into the ceiling. Add a pillow for structure and comfort and enjoy! Spend your summer days swinging from your handmade hammock.

Emilee Stanley Photography

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Tie a knot 3” from one end of your rope. Melt or tape the end so it won't fray or unravel. Thread it through the outer hole of the dowel and up from the widest corner of one side of your canvas seat to the narrow corner of the top. Then tie a knot about 3' from your first knot, and thread it up into the dowel. Continue to thread it down into the 2nd hole from the other edge, and measure 3' from the loose end, and tie a loose knot. Thread it down through the other canvas pocket and back up through the last hole before tying a knot with a 3" tail. Adjust everything so it’s even before tightening the knots.

Photo By: Emilee Stanley Photography

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Tie a knot with a 8” loop in the center of the rope above the dowel rod. Attach your spring link, and then your quick link. Hang it from a tree, on your porch or inside your house from a hook screwed securely into the ceiling. Add a pillow for structure and comfort and enjoy! Spend your summer days swinging from your handmade hammock.

Photo By: Emilee Stanley Photography

Attach Links

Tie a knot with an 8-inch loop in the center of the rope above the dowel rod. Attach the spring link and the quick link.

Hang + Lounge

Hang the finished hammock on your porch or inside your house from a hook screwed securely into the ceiling. Add a pillow for extra coziness.

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Mudcloth Hammock Chair

Is there anything better than a hammock on a summer day? Here is a hammock idea that doesn’t require perfectly spaced trees. I love this swing chair from Rachel Denbow and wanted to try my own adding a mudcloth design.

Photo by: Emilee Stanley Photography

Emilee Stanley Photography

Daybeds, Canopies + More

See All Photos

Shop This Look

Powered By:Wayfair.com
We may make 💰 from these links.
Keep Reading

Next Up

Before-and-After Chair Projects from HGTV Fans

These chairs were destined for the dump before they were rescued by crafty HGTV fans. See how they were transformed into new pieces.

Dressed-Up Dresser Ideas From Readers

Think twice before you lug that old dresser to the dump.

DIY Headboards from HGTV Readers

Take a note from these HGTV fans and dress up your bed with a custom headboard. Your wallet will thank you.

DIY This: A Quick, Bright Bookshelf Upgrade That's Totally Temporary

Is your bookcase basic? We've got a colorful cure.

Designer Style on a Dime: DIY Watercolor Knobs

Save time and money. Splurge on style.

Why Didn't My Childhood Bedroom Have a Hanging Chair?

Inflatable chairs were cool in the '90s, but these hanging chairs are SO much better.

Kick Up Your Feet With This DIY Indigo Rope Ottoman

Can you believe this ottoman is made from an old tire?

Embrace Flapper Style With A DIY Roaring '20s Headband

Add flair to a costume or party outfit with this simple-to-make headband.

The Brightest on the Shelf: Two-Toned Bookends With Hidden Storage

Reading never looked so good. 

Tidy Up Your Desk With This Chic DIY Organizer

Tame your unruly office supplies with this stylish, inexpensive solution.

Meet the Team

Get to know the talented writers and editors of HGTV's show and design blog. 

Go Behind the Blog

From the Archives

Take a look back at our past posts, from entertaining and design trends to up-and-coming HGTV shows.  

Read All Our Past Posts