Thank you HF members! I finished my first diy project, a silcat tarp

[greengables]

I want to thank all of the wonderful members here at the HammockForums site. You inspired me to tackle a big diy project that I never would have considered otherwise. I'm just about ready for my first hang.

Now I want to complete a lightweight top quilt for late spring, summer and early fall. I'm thinking about a 40 degree rating. I was contemplating using the sew through method as it is for warmer weather, but I could use a small baffle of no see-um mesh. Any opinions on which would be more advisable?

[Kanguru]

Your job on the tarp looks great.

Regarding quilt...I made a DIY summer quilt a while back. Did it in a "snivler style" and used 1 inch baffles. I have been told by folks in the know that sewn through is more difficilt than baffles since you can't easily control both layers of the fabric. I suspect that plenty of pins and patience would make it OK either way. 1.1 is much easier to work with than sil IMO. After that great job on the tarp a quilt should be a breeze for you.

[dragon360]

Tarp looks great - congrats!

+1 and Kanguru. I have been told (and had some experience) of how sewn through is more difficult to do than the baffling since you feel 'blind' sewing the two layers together.

[ShadowAlpha]

nice looking tarp! Enjoy

I used to hang out at a bar named greengables back many many moons

[CatSplat]

Looks like a nice tarp, good job!

[old4hats]

For a first or tenth, you did a great job on the tarp, you can for sure use it with pride.

[DivaB]

Nice looking tarp!!! Good job!! I was thinking of doing a sewn through summer UQ....but now all the replies you've gotten have me rethinking that idea.

[MAD777]

Great job on the tarp! It looks professional quality.

My advice on the top quilt is to avoid the sewn through method. It's fraught with pitfalls. Even though its for warmer weather, use baffles as small as 1/2" height. Allowing fir 1/4" seam allowance, the baffle material should be cut 1" high. I've done both and baffles are much easier.

[greengables]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice on the top quilt. I'll plan to use some mesh to make the baffles for my warm weather TQ and avoid the sew through method. I'm 6' tall so I was planning on making the quilt 78" to take the gathered footbox into consideration. I'm planning on using 1.1 nylon with shock cord and lock for the foot box with a taper in the width toward the feet. I'll have to research some dimensions for width top and bottom before I get started.

[Loneoak]

Great looking Tarp, really like the old school desk also