down UQ differential mod

**Kallorne** · 05-09-2011, 15:24

I recently picked up a down uq that was another members DIY project. Has 12oz. of 900 fill goose down and a momentum 90 shell, and I even like the color. My only concern is that I might not be getting the full potential out of it as it doesn't appear to be differentially cut. Is there a simple way to fix this? And possibly add draft collars? I can sew reasonably well though somewhat less than straight but i haven't delved into the world of making my own insulation yet. Any prohibiting factors I should know about?

**Knotty** · 05-09-2011, 16:03

Have wondered about this myself. Hopefully the UQ gurus will enlighten us.

With regards to draft collars...don't think they're needed for an UQ.

**Shug** · 05-09-2011, 16:05

Maybe a pinch and dart type move......
Warbonnet has draft collars on my Yeti. They seem effective.
Shug

**Kallorne** · 05-09-2011, 16:13

I was playing around with that very idea not ten seconds ago...I think it would work but just leave me with a little flap of fabric. Now do you suppose I would need to do that on every baffle or just a select few? The other thought I had was doing a little fold over around the perimeter and sewing it onto the existing edging. I'm not sure if that will affect the middle baffles or cause un wanted side effects with the baffle material

**Knotty** · 05-09-2011, 23:45

Originally Posted by Shug

Maybe a pinch and dart type move......
Warbonnet has draft collars on my Yeti. They seem effective.
Shug

Learn something new every day.

**sr1355** · 05-10-2011, 12:49

Pinch and dart should work, determine which end is head and which is foot then dart away... Foot end dart should be longer since legs taper to torso and I don't think I'd dart the chambers behind the shoulders at the head end IMO...GOOD LUCK...

**G.L.P.** · 05-10-2011, 12:58

do you really feel it needs to be done at all?
i would try it out first befor i go and try to mod it
don't forget most JRB quilts are not darted and they don't have a differential cuts and they work fine... to me darts are not really needed but i do put a differential cut in all my quilts ...

i know my first UQ didn't have either and worked great

what is the size of the UQ .. ?

**Kallorne** · 05-10-2011, 21:56

Originally Posted by G.L.P.

do you really feel it needs to be done at all?
i would try it out first befor i go and try to mod it
don't forget most JRB quilts are not darted and they don't have a differential cuts and they work fine... to me darts are not really needed but i do put a differential cut in all my quilts ...

i know my first UQ didn't have either and worked great

what is the size of the UQ .. ?

I've laid in it several times now and It seems when cinched enough to get rid of air pockets and the ends snug to the hammock that I'm compressing about 4" of loft down to a half inch in spots. I was thinking of darting only the inner shell to shrink it into a quasi differential cut. Same idea with a fold on the perimeter which I'm leaning towards as it would leave it with a more finished look and reinforces the channels all around.

**jred** · 05-10-2011, 23:40

What kind of suspension are you using for the UQ? I'm using a sports authority down throw for a lightweight UQ, and I moved in from the corners an inch & a half or so & tied shockcord around them for suspension. It creates kind of a fake diff cut.

**sr1355** · 05-11-2011, 10:11

Originally Posted by Kallorne

I've laid in it several times now and It seems when cinched enough to get rid of air pockets and the ends snug to the hammock that I'm compressing about 4" of loft down to a half inch in spots. I was thinking of darting only the inner shell to shrink it into a quasi differential cut. Same idea with a fold on the perimeter which I'm leaning towards as it would leave it with a more finished look and reinforces the channels all around.

I like that idea of darting only the inner shell, that would give you the differential cut your looking for... Either way I'm sure it should work just fine... Keep us posted...