My very first project was some new tree straps for giant trees in the Sierras, that was the first time I've sewn since I took home ec, probably 7th grade (sometime between 89-91).
I have been using a CCF pad, which really worked fine. But it takes up too much pack space! UQ it is for me now. I initially was going to do a KAQ. Then I found the loose primaloft thermo at downlite. I had read the instructions for Hammock Engineer's Red River Gorge Quilt earlier, and wrote it off cause I didn't want to buy the down for a first project . After reading PapaSmurf's review of it, I was all set to use it.
Bill of materials:
5 yd ~1.7oz ripstop from Hancock
spool of 5/8" grossgrain from JoAnns
1/8" shock cord from REI
Cord Locks. I picked them up at Sportsmans Warehouse while looking at something else.
a couple yards of mosquito netting. From Hancock
Without suspension, I spent about $25 on materials.
Build pictures:
395g before stuffing.
I went with the assumption that the primaloft is equal to 550 down in volume, so with overstuff, I went with 1.5oz per baffles (10 total).
After stuffing and hanging bits, it ended up at 884g (31.2 oz / 1lb 15.2oz). A little on the heavy side.
Here it is hung at a park
Overall, I'm quite happy. Even if almost none of the sew lines are straight...
The Primaloft was pretty easy to work with, but challenging to spread and loft. As such, even with supposedly 2.5" of loft, I don't think it'll be really warm - I have a feeling I might be good down into the 40s, maybe high 30s, which is what I get out of a CCF pad right now anyway.
And I still have 4 lbs of insulation to play with!
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