Cheap, light, slim, and warm DIY undercover idea

**Peanutdude** · 11-09-2009, 23:39

Hey, guys I am about to make an underquilt/cover for my GTUL.

I'm going to be using a poncho, an emergency blanket, and a thin fleece blanket.

I'm looking to add 1 more thin, cheap, and insulating layer that is common (so I do not have to order it; Something that can be bought from the dollar store, target, or sears).

Everything has been free so far because I received everything as a gift or free. For reference if anyone wants to make something similar, the fleece blanket is about 10-12 dollars, the poncho was about 4 dollars, and the emergency blanket can be anywhere from 5-15 dollars.

I don't have shock cord. I will try to find some but if I cannot find any does anyone know of some knots between 2 sections of cords that lengthen when tension is applied?

**Rat** · 11-10-2009, 08:18

Originally Posted by Peanutdude

I don't have shock cord. I will try to find some but if I cannot find any does anyone know of some knots between 2 sections of cords that lengthen when tension is applied?

Double Fisherman's Bend can be used as a sliding knot to have an adjustable loop, like a necklace, it works well in 550 cord as well.

**Cowboy** · 11-10-2009, 08:27

Nice site for knots Thanks

**Doctari** · 11-10-2009, 10:02

I see you already have one, but: Big Lots usually has a fleece blanket (5' x 4') for about $5.00. To add to what you have, maybe "Flocking" or "Batting" (not sure of terminology, sorry) from a fabric store, or Target (Maybe Sears), its used to stuff what I call "show quilts" not very thick, & I would maybe double layer it & sew it between something* (with the space blanked in between?) to hold it together & protect it. But it will do the job I think. We used 4 bags + a space blanket on Firewalkers first UQ & it was nearly too warm at 6 degrees (about 4" loft). I think it was around $4.80 a bag here. Come to think of it, I may just do that today, just because.

*2 Neat sheets with the weights removed?

If normally you can get down to lets say 70 degrees w nothing under you, a "flock quilt" will get you to about 55 easily! With what you are planning, I could do at least 40 & be very warm. I think I would go:

HAMMOCK
FLEECE
FLOCK QUILT
space blanket if not in "quilt"
PONCHO

**BOB1520** · 11-10-2009, 09:51

Originally Posted by Peanutdude

Hey, guys I am about to make an underquilt/cover for my GTUL.

I'm going to be using a poncho, an emergency blanket, and a thin fleece blanket.

I'm looking to add 1 more thin, cheap, and insulating layer that is common (so I do not have to order it; Something that can be bought from the dollar store, target, or sears).

You could use Insul-bright which is the same thichness as fleece. It has VB properties,but is still beathable and is a decent insulator.

What is your layering plan? I'm sure the poncho is the outer layer just wondering what your plans beyond that.

**Peanutdude** · 11-10-2009, 17:30

Originally Posted by BOB1520

You could use Insul-bright which is the same thichness as fleece. It has VB properties,but is still beathable and is a decent insulator.

What is your layering plan? I'm sure the poncho is the outer layer just wondering what your plans beyond that.

Thanks for the knot link Hogn8r and the insulation recommendations!

I am having my thin hammock then Fleece then other layer then space blanket then poncho. I am sewing everything together so I don't have to deal with a lot of separate layers.

And Captn I have exactly that as my over cover or blanket depending where i go.

Thanks everyone! I will be hand-sewing all of this soon..(with a cast on my wrist)

**Peanutdude** · 11-11-2009, 19:06

Well surprisingly it works! I will be replacing the cord with shock-cord soon so it hugs my hammock. It's about 33 degrees right now outside and I was fairly warm with a quilt as an over cover and my new under-quilt!

**JohnSawyer** · 11-13-2009, 13:05

Originally Posted by Peanutdude

Well surprisingly it works! I will be replacing the cord with shock-cord soon so it hugs my hammock. It's about 33 degrees right now outside and I was fairly warm with a quilt as an over cover and my new under-quilt!

Pictures, please! You might be changing my plans for my cheap DIY quilt.... let's see... that would be design revision 42..

**Peanutdude** · 11-13-2009, 15:00

I'll post some pictures soon I am not allowed to leave it up during the day though because there is grass under it which needs to grow. This is pretty good because I get to practice setting up and tearing down the hammock. So far I'm up to 10 min set up (making tiny adjustments) and 7 min tear down (All packed together). I will try to get it to 5 min each. I'll also try to find a time to take pictures of it separate and with my hammock set up.