PVC Pipe Cat Hammock

Inspiration for DIY projects can come from almost anywhere! This project's inspiration was from a quick clip from the movie, Princess Diaries 2. 

While watching this movie with my grandchildren, the middle child spotted a cat on a hammock and wanted us to build one for their cat, Axel.

To us, it looked like a PVC project so we told him we'd try to recreate it for him using PVC pipe, chain, eye hooks, and a fun 90's inspired hammock.

Materials/Tools:

• 3/4 inch PVC pipe (Home Depot)
• (4) 3/4 inch 90-degree elbows (Home Depot)
• (4) 3/4 inch 45-degree elbows (Home Depot)
• Husky PVC cutter (Home Depot)
• Acetone (Home Depot)
• Everbilt 1/8 in. x 1-3/16 in. Zinc Screw Eye (6-Piece) (Home Depot)
• S-hooks
• 4 feet Plated Steel Double Loop Chain, White (Home Depot)
• Janome Sewist 725S Sewing machine (Amazon)
• Gingher Dressmaker shears (Amazon)
• Gingher appliqué scissors (Amazon)
• Gingher embroider scissors (Amazon)
• Dritz 661T Extra-Large Eyelet Tools for Applying 7/16-Inch Eyelets/Grommets (Amazon)
• Dritz 7/16in extra-large eyelets/grommets in silver (Amazon)
• 10 mm leather hole punch (Amazon)

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After determining the approximate size we needed, we started cutting the PVC pipe to length using a pair of Husky PVC cutters.

A PDF cut list can be downloaded from our website.

With all the pieces cut to size, all the PVC pipes and elbows were cleaned with acetone to remove the red and black lettering. Wear appropriate PPE and work in a well-ventilated area.

To attach the eye hooks, we first put the PVC elbow in a vice, added the eye hook, and then used a clever hack using a cup hook in a drill to fully screw it in. You can see that action in the short.

After attaching the eye hooks we simply assembled all the long and short pieces to complete the frame. We did not use any glue to permanently attach the pieces.

The fabric hammock is made up of three layers, the blue bottom, a layer of fleece, and the top fabric. It is sewed right sides together, turned, and grommets are added to the four corners. Grommet kids are readily available at Walmart or fabric stores.

We don't have a cat so we tested the strength of the hammock with a 10-pound weight. It worked and held tight!

Chain and S-hooks are used to hold the hammock onto the frame. Here we are cutting off the excess chain.

This is Bella, their new cat enjoying the hammock right in front of her favorite view!

For more detail, please visit our website!