DIY UNDER QUILT suspension similar snugfit

**Mule** · 05-29-2008, 19:22

I converted a synthetic sleeping bag with Primaloft insulation (only about .75 inch loft for 40 degrees) into an under quilt. I tried the old method of putting on four loops and a cinch tunnel with cord, but it would not come up tight to the hammock uniformly.
So, I sewed some hook velcro to match the Speer type velcro along the edges of the the DIY hammock, sewed on many loops on each end and sewed them only to the inside piece of fabric that will be touching the hammock. Then I cut individual bungees with loops at both ends so that just a small amount of pull would be on each one. I think there is eight on the foot side and ten on the head side.
Lastly, since it still didn't pull up as close as I liked, I put my sewing machine on the longest stitch I could and sewed pleats so that the inside piece of fabric would be shorter than the outside piece of fabric. (please excuse the sloppy sewing in the picture, this is just a test at this point) This is similar though simpler than the Speer Snugfit design, but it made it so when the inner layer is pulled up against the hammock using many bungees, distributing the force evenly instead of just a cinch cord and two bungees per end, the hammock came up tight to me and the hammock but stayed loose on the outside layer, leaving the loft intact completely. I slept in the hammock last night at 48 degrees and it kept me warm all over. Here are some pictures.

**Tobit** · 05-29-2008, 19:25

Nice work Mule.

**angrysparrow** · 05-29-2008, 19:26

Very clever, Mule!

**Youngblood** · 05-29-2008, 19:35

That is good, congratulations.

**Mule** · 05-29-2008, 20:15

The reason I tried this was to show that this could be done to a JRB quilt to make it come up like a snugfit every time. I may try that next. It will take making the pleats in one side to shorten the length of the fabric so that when it comes up in contact with the hammock and the person in it, it will not tighten up the outside layer of fabric, therefore, no compression of loft. Does that make sense?

**headchange4u** · 05-29-2008, 20:31

Nice work. I remember you talking about that concept at the RRG hang. Looks like it works pretty well.

BTW
Where did you get your stand at?

**fin** · 05-29-2008, 21:01

Yeah, where did you get the stand? I really like it.

If you aren't happy with the stitching, I'll take it off your hands.

Nice work!

**Mule** · 05-29-2008, 22:13

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Nice work. I remember you talking about that concept at the RRG hang. Looks like it works pretty well.

BTW
Where did you get your stand at?

Got he stand at Lowes, about $100.00.
Think about this: If we took our JRB quilts and simply attached loops every four inches to only ONE SIDE of the quilt and in from the edge about 2 inches on each end, then add bungee cords, then we wouldn't have to sew pleats in the center area. The shorter inside fabric would pull tight and the outside would be loose and HANG from the inside layer by it's baffles. That is how the Snugfit works, but the Snugfit is more complicated, making a canoe shape on the inside layer. Just a thought.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 05-30-2008, 01:14

nice! Lots of people are interested in making use of sleeping bags as UQs.

Grizz

**Peter_pan** · 05-30-2008, 07:56

Originally Posted by skskinner

Got he stand at Lowes, about $100.00.
Think about this: If we took our JRB quilts and simply attached loops every four inches to only ONE SIDE of the quilt and in from the edge about 2 inches on each end, then add bungee cords, then we wouldn't have to sew pleats in the center area. The shorter inside fabric would pull tight and the outside would be loose and HANG from the inside layer by it's baffles. That is how the Snugfit works, but the Snugfit is more complicated, making a canoe shape on the inside layer. Just a thought.

Skskinner, et al,

The answer is even easier!

All JRB Nests and even the new JRB Winter Nest have a foot end modifification that lifts the mid portion of the foot end as well as the corner loops.... Thereby eliminating the air pocket that sometimes forms under the legs.... This change was made back in April 08.

There is a free kit available to all JRB quilt owners so they can retro-fit any standard model JRB quilt... no sewing is involved....Info is on our Web site ....http://http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm

Probably a couple dozen of these kits were handed out at Trail Days.

Pan