How to Make Custom Tarps

Tarps that are not customized for camping use can blow away in heavy storms and cause campers to become soaked with rain. Those that are customized correctly can provide campers with a dependable refuge in which they can enjoy a good night's sleep. Customized tarps also provide temporary coverage for building roofs that have been damaged by heavy rain or storms. A plan for customizing tarps can assist fisherman and hunters in constructing a temporary shelter, as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Tarp
  • Metal shears
  • Quarter
  • Magic marker
  • Rope
  • Wooden stakes
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the type of tarp that best suits the desired use. Heavily coated tarps are the best selection for long term shelter or for use in extreme weather. Plastic tarps are satisfactory for temporary use and for the protection of items that are not of important value. Never choose a plastic tarp as a protection for humans, as this type of tarp will restrict breathing. Always choose a heavily coated tarp if you are unsure of which type is best for your needs.

    • 2

      Lay the tarp on the ground. Adjust the height to the space that you need. For camping purposes, consider the number of people who will be protected by the tarp and the available space in which you will construct your shelter. At least 10 feet of tarp is advisable for each person it will protect. If the available ground space is 15-by-15-feet, allocate at least a two foot border around the shelter to allow room for securing the tarp to the ground.

    • 3

      Cut the tarp using metal shears. Use a quarter coin and a magic marker to draw small circles around the boundary of the tarp. Draw the circles 3 feet apart and 2 inches from the edge of the tarp. Use the metal shears to cut each circle, leaving holes along the edge of the tarp. These holes provide openings through which rope strands can be threaded to secure the tarp.

    • 4

      Look for ground that is flat. A secluded area is ideal for camping, as this will provide additional shelter from wind and rain. Select two trees that are separated by the same distance as the length of the tarp.Tie the ends of a rope around the trunk of each tree at a point that is 5-ft higher than the ground. Pull the rope tight so that there is no slack. Lay the tarp over the rope so that the rope extends under the middle of the tarp. Thread pieces of rope through the holes that are along the edge of the tarp. Tie knots at the end of each piece of rope that is underneath the tarp, so that the rope cannot fall outside of the holes. Insert wooden stakes into the ground around the outside of the tarp with a hammer. Tie the ends of each piece of rope that extends outside of the holes to the stakes on the ground.