Sizing a new stuff sack

**digrat** · 09-05-2010, 15:29

So I've DIY'd a TQ from an old synthetic comforter and I am now faced with how to transport it. I want to make a stuff sack, but how do I know how big I should make it? I could make it too big, then "whittle it down" to the right size by adding rows of stitching...but that seems rather unscientific. Any ideas?

**gargoyle** · 09-05-2010, 15:42

Stuff it into an old pillow case, compress and roll into a tight ball and measure. Add an inch or two for your seam allowance and hems. Then cut your pattern to those dimensions and sew away.

**Running Feather** · 09-05-2010, 16:11

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Stuff it into an old pillow case, compress and roll into a tight ball and measure. Add an inch or two for your seam allowance and hems. Then cut your pattern to those dimensions and sew away.

Simple yet elegant solution!

**gargoyle** · 09-05-2010, 16:17

Simple is my middle name.

You can also use a pant leg, knot off or pin one end (usually the cuff or foot end), stuff your project in the top end, smoosh it, and measure. Always add for seam and hems tho.

**Bags4266** · 09-05-2010, 16:39

Nothing lost if you make a mistake. You just have another stuff sack. I have so many now I need to make a stuff sack for all my stuff sacks.

**BrianWillan** · 09-05-2010, 17:48

Originally Posted by Bags4266

Nothing lost if you make a mistake. You just have another stuff sack. I have so many now I need to make a stuff sack for all my stuff sacks.

Spoken like a true DIYer.

**Just Jeff** · 09-05-2010, 18:25

Haha - I also have a stuff sack for my stuff sacks!

If you have a box that's near the size you want, see if you can stuff your quilt in there...easy to get dimensions that way.

One thing to keep in mind is the shape of your backpack. One of the stuff sacks I use for my quilts is the same diameter as my pack opening, which makes it a little difficult to put into the pack, but it's nice and stable once it's in there. My food back, on the other hand, is a little too narrow and long for the pack I normally use, but great for my bigger pack.

So you might want to make it just a bit smaller diameter than your pack...you can always compress it by packing stuff on top of it.