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If I put down inside some downproof fabric but have the calendered (shiny) side on the outside instead of the inside what will happen? If it just means that it's not as efficient at passing moisture to the outside, that's okay. If it means the down will poke through, it's not. The fabric I'm using is 1.9 oz. ripstop.
If the shiny side is DWR, then that side will shed water better. Downproof fabric is downproof in either direction.
So far as I can tell, the reason that coated items have the coating on the inside is so that the abrasion of regular use will not damage the coating as badly. Also, if used against the skin, the non-coated sides are often more comfortable against the skin.
Thanks, Scott. The downproof answer is what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, the question of which surface is more comfortable against the skin is an issue I forgot to ask about, and I had noticed a slight difference when I was testing both sides. This is a single layer 1.9 ripstop hammock that will have a layer of insulation attached, consisting of a shaped bottom of 1.1 ripstop and down fill. I cut the ends of the hammock on an angle, so I can't easily reverse the top without ripping out a bunch of long seams and rebuilding. I figure it's another prototype that I'll end up using myself, so I'll cope with the different feel of the fabric by ignoring it or sleeping in silk long underwear. It didn't feel like a big difference, anyway.
If I lived near you, WV, I would want to stop by and check that out. I will keep an eye open for any posts you put up on this hammock.