Recycled Down?

[Bearclaw]

The Red Head (wife) is donating a king bed quilt to good will. I was wondering if I could reuse the down in my top quilt? I’m not sure of the fill but I would believe it was 700 fill. Granted I’m just looking to make a 30 deg quilt for what Shug calls the shoulder months:> . Good idea, bad idea. Has any one tried this before? Thanks.

Bearclaw

[ChrisH]

It's been done before, I wouldn't let all that down go to Goodwill! Try to search for past threads. You can always take it to Goodwill later if it doesn't work out.

[Roadrunnr72]

My first name is Good and my last is Will, you can just send it to me, and I'll pay shipping

But, yes it has been done.

[ShadowAlpha]

I just made a lightweight down quilt from a down quilt i had laying around. The down is all fluff - no vanes on them (if thats the right word?)

1.7 ripstop - sewn thru
used almost 7oz of down
is just about 15oz

Try it! enjoy

[ShadowAlpha]

oh - my garage is still molting

[Syb]

I'm in the (slow) process of cannibalizing a down quilt. The down goes everywhere. I've got just over 2 ounces and I think there is about 7 or 8 ounces still flying around in the room. Have fun! If I ever get mine done (and clean up the down) I'll post pics. Right now though, it's a huge PITA.

[KerMegan]

Syb- I got a tip off one of the other lightweight hiking sites- take you and the down 'source' into a small pop-up tent; set up in the house(or garage) so you can deal with your down inside that, then use the vacuum tube extension through a small opening in the door zipper (with nylon net cover) to chase the escapees before exiting tent.
Hope that helps, KM

[gmcttr]

I'm in the (slow) process of cannibalizing a down quilt. The down goes everywhere. I've got just over 2 ounces and I think there is about 7 or 8 ounces still flying around in the room. Have fun! If I ever get mine done (and clean up the down) I'll post pics. Right now though, it's a huge PITA.

From "Just Jeff's" site...http://www.tothewoods.net/StuffingDown.html. I think this is the method I would try.

[JohnSawyer]

There are GOOD down quilts, and there are CHEAP down quilts.

With your fingers, pinch a section of down. You will feel some quills (feathers) If the quills are numerous and large, you have a cheap down quilt.

If it's really 700FP, you'll find small feather shafts, and lots of wonderful, fluffy down. I'd use it or send it to my friend John in San Diego who would happily trade you a custom-made stuff-sack/ridgeline organizer for a bunch of good down...

[Syb]

Thanks for the tip Ker. gmcttr, I did see JJ and his method which seems to work well. My problem is I've got one of those stupid Dyson vacuums and it sucks. Not in a functional way.
John Sawyer, my quilt is 650 and have found virtually no feathers! I'll make a deal with you, I'll send you my quilt, you send me... lets see... how about that WBBB?