DIY Fleece Bag

**ljcsov** · 09-06-2011, 19:12

Anyone ever try to make their own fleece bags?

I am looking at my options for a cheaper alternative to down. Its starting to get cold here in PA and I have to start looking into some sort of insulation for the Fall.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...PRODID=prd7089

Also some supply sites carry other insulation such as Thinsulate. However, I am guessing if I could find some Polartec that would be pretty **** warm in a bag, especially if doubled. From my experience with clothing, it seems to breathe pretty well.

That's the fleece I was looking at. I bet there are some other options out there too.

**olddog** · 09-06-2011, 19:52

I made 2 fleece bags with footboxes last year. they were made from a WM fleece blanket. Just bought the material at Hancocks yesterday to make a layered one, polyester/insulation/fleece. Using the 2 made last year for house blankets. This new one should come in lighter than the 2 doubled up blankets. When I get started I'll post something.

**thegreatjesse** · 09-06-2011, 20:34

I made a few topquilts last winter, two of which were fleece-lined, Insultex-insulated, and ripstop-shelled. I made one with two layers of IX and one with a single layer of IX, and both have been used down to around 40, but I haven't tried to push lower with either. I'd say they're about equal in range, but work very well for spring/fall temps in PA. Insultex is definitely the way to go if you want a cheaper solution than down, but I still tend to reach for my down quilts rather than my IX quilts, if night temps are kinda iffy.

**default** · 09-07-2011, 00:37

heck, walmart and most sports stores sell fleece sleeping bags for about 20. id be willing to bet if you wanted, you could leave it zipped up and fold the bottom under to make the foot box, creating 2 layers of fleece. id have to look at mine to be sure.

**nothermark** · 09-07-2011, 07:28

Originally Posted by REV

heck, walmart and most sports stores sell fleece sleeping bags for about 20. id be willing to bet if you wanted, you could leave it zipped up and fold the bottom under to make the foot box, creating 2 layers of fleece. id have to look at mine to be sure.

I think you will want a wind tight cover over the bag. The fleece bags I have seen were not shelled. As I recall fleece is heavy relative to the various fiber batting insulation.

The idea of a synthetic quilt with a fleece liner is appealing from the standpoint of warm when damp and a multi layer approach. Tune the layers as needed.

**ljcsov** · 09-07-2011, 08:12

I guess the major downside is compressibility. I am unsure if you can get a fleece blanket/TQ/bag smaller than a synthetic bag. Also, I am curious how cold you can go. I am waiting for someone to give their insight on that.

**default** · 09-07-2011, 08:34

that fleece sleeping bag i have rolls up about as thick as the wally world blue pad (still in plastic) and maybe 3/4 as long. not the smallest option, and not to mention it wasnt that warm to being with. it was nice, but i wouldnt trust it (without a shell at least)

**olddog** · 09-07-2011, 09:39

I just went back and found this post by rjcress which is what i'm going to do. But just looking was surprising. Go to the DIY forum, 'Search this forum', and type in fleece. A good bit of reading there.http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ghlight=fleece

**nothermark** · 09-07-2011, 09:43

Originally Posted by ljcsov

I guess the major downside is compressibility. I am unsure if you can get a fleece blanket/TQ/bag smaller than a synthetic bag. Also, I am curious how cold you can go. I am waiting for someone to give their insight on that.

Roll it up, stick it in a dry bag and call it floatation. ;-)

I'm thinking you may get an answer as several of us seem to have a need to find out. As soon as I get thread injection figured out I will be pursuing it. I think several other folks here are ahead of me. ;-)

**Jazilla** · 09-07-2011, 09:56

I bought fleece from Joann's for watch caps and the sort. It didn't hold up well. It pilled really bad and pretty quick. If I where to make a fleece bag I would buy some polar fleece or other outdoor fleece product.

Good thing with fleece is its pretty easy to sew up. No need to worry about fraying edges. I used a zig zag stitch to compensate for the stretch in fleece. Good luck with this project. JM2C