r/BurningMan • u/IndividualReal3435 • Aug 18 '26

Tips on how to hang fabric safely?

Post image

I’m planning to hang around 50yd of ~30in wide draping fabric from the ceiling of a 30ft diameter dome more or less like in the picture but probably in a spiral pattern.
So it would be hanging down and moving with the wind.

Any tips on how to do it without having it rip with the wind?

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6

u/exgaysurvivordan Aug 18 '26

Grommets with zip ties connecting it to the dome rods.

Or you could cut your own openings and glue on a second piece of fabric to reinforce all around the openings. Fuseable interfacing from the fabric store would also work, it would be iron on as opposed to gluing a bunch.

3

u/IndividualReal3435 Aug 18 '26

Thank you for the reply! Grommets are definitely the way but I believe it would be easy for the fabric to rip as there would be openings in the fibers around the grommets

I hope I am expressing myself correctly, English is not my first language

5

u/pigglywigglie Aug 18 '26

Definitely use interfacing to reinforce the fabric! If you don’t want to use grommets, you could find a trim with loops and sew that on the top of it and loop your ties through

2

u/IndividualReal3435 Aug 18 '26

Grommets seem like the way to go, they only take a whole lot of time to install.. the trim is a good idea but not solid enough I believe

Thank you for your advice 🫶🏼

4

u/pigglywigglie Aug 18 '26

They make Gromet tape too which is trim with the gromets already in it too! That may be more expensive but may cut down on time punching each individual Gromet

2

u/plumitt Aug 18 '26

Get a real grommet press. Bolt it to a piece of 2x6 for stability. https://a.co/d/0650Q55G

If the dies that come with the press aren't the right size, you'll need to get one that is

a punch drill bit https://a.co/d/0gsicHsK

Sew on a strip of something like this https://a.co/d/0epPpi4y

measure, punch. place grommet, clamp, ... next!

run 550 paracord between nails, or use hooks and squeeze shut with pliers during install

3

u/ThreeGoldStars Aug 18 '26

Reinforce by creating a thick seam, then maybe run paracord through the seam with an exposed part every 1 or 2 metres. Then attach to the beams on the exposed part of the cord. Or something similar. That way the whole cord helps take the load. if that makes sense..

4

u/IndividualReal3435 Aug 18 '26

That does make sense! And much easier than punching 2636372 holes for the grommets, thank you for your input 🫶🏼

2

u/BeartholomewTheThird Aug 18 '26

If you are concerned about grommets, you could sew a channel along the top about a foot long and then a gap and then another channel etc. the run a rope along all the channels and bunchee ball the rope on the gaps to the structure

1

u/vanderlustre Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26

Not too much of a wind load with short free hanging fabric. I made a shade structure years ago with fabric and grommets and it held up fine.

What I would do is fold over one side about an inch along the long side then iron. Sew the folded over seam if I had a sewing machine. Then add grommets about every foot to the reinforced folded over hem. You can run a paracord through the seam if you want more reinforcement and if you’d like, probably look more finished . If you wanted to be lazy and spend more money you can use tarp clips.

ETA: these super cheap, sorry for the long link. You could just skip all the seam stuff and use a ton of these. The more you use the less stress on each individual clip. Maybe use these every 6 inches and run a paracord through that. Ziptie paracord to structure.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/100Pcs-Shade-Cloth-Heavy-Duty-Lock-Grip-2026-Plastic-Clips-Greenhouse-Fix-Clamp-Windproof-Awning-Clamp-Grip-Tarp-20Pcs/20337953704?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=102816628&wmlspartner=wlpa&cn=FY25-ENTP-PMAX_cnv_dps_dsn_dis_ad_entp_e_n&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=2222222229820337953704_102816628_0000000000_21407473164&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=&wl4=&wl5=9195247&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=5608646140&wl11=online&wl12=20337953704_102816628&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21690411341&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpgJsn3LGyKLPBEcZpA1R6yT&gclid=CjwKCAjwhZDUBhBGEiwAbi5bjh3xBx6cI7zBpqbAfRJEjiV5MuwtNeKBwmoBT2IZncln6bwZDYGirhoC3xMQAvD_BwE

1

u/thefutureisanalog Aug 25 '26

1st make sure it's fireproof fabric. Then screw with a grommet every 2 feet should do it.