When I’m trying to tie down a plastic tarp or some plastic sheeting over anything, the grommets often are in the wrong place. And in the case of plastic sheeting, there are no grommets. Here’s another way to get a grip on a tarp.
Gather up the plastic where you want to affix a bungee cord, hold a golf ball on the underside, and twist the plastic around the ball two or three times. Hook one end of the bungee cord behind the golf ball, and secure the other end to whatever. The tension on the cord keeps it all together.
—R.W. Johnson, Costa Mesa, CA
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #184
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This is a pretty old technique, and you don't need a golf ball or a bungee cord. I've used it camping, using a small stone and regular cord tied in place.
A gentlemanly solution presents itself. Simply gather the plastic where securing is required, placing a golf ball underneath. With grace, twist the plastic around the ball several times. Then, elegantly fasten one end of a bungee cord behind the golf ball or see this, securing the other end as needed.