Normally I use my Packa as a pillow, it works great unless it was used as rain gear before bed time. Then no pillow or something wadded up that I fight with all night. I can sleep without a pillow, but I sleep better with one. I had some left over material from a summer TQ & BQ project I did so decided to make me a pillow. First I cut two 14.5" squares. Then two strips to go around the outside 3.5" wide for the sides. I found a light micro cloth used for cleaning up a vehicle, armor all brand I believe, and sewed it to one of the 14.5" squares. Then sewed the sides on all the way around to one corner leaving an opening for stuffing. Turned it right side out then stuffed it with a few feathers, some 800 down, added a few bits of scrap ripstop & some tore up little pieces of egg shell foam for firmness. Finished it up with 1" grosgrain on the stuffing hole and a tab to tie some mason line connecting to my ridge line. Added a small plastic figure nine so that I can adjust it's position depending on comfort for the night.
The final product is about 14"x14" with about 3"-4" of loft. This gives me just enough comfort when my fat head is lying on it. I can also fluff it up a bit by shaking some of the stuffing down into the corner. The mason line & figure nine allow one wrap to compress it up nice and small. The micro terrycloth is nice and soft also. I'm gonna be sleeping well.
The pictures I took are on a mat with 1" space lines for a size reference. I can also squeeze it down a little smaller if needed. Weight, not sure yet, but comfort = weightless.
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