DIY Quilt or -15 degree bag

**msuvmi** · 09-25-2008, 17:04

I am extremely curious about the quilts or sleeping bag and what works. My mother in law loves to sew and I am thinking of asking her to sew my son and I some quilts for use in the hammock.

Question is do you sleep with the quilt, underpad and nothing else in 30 degree weather or would the sleeping bag be the answer.

Totally new to this and I am trying to learn.

Sean

**fin** · 09-25-2008, 17:11

In 30* weather, you would need a top quilt of some kind, as well as your bottom quilt. You could use a SB as your top quilt, if you wanted. But if you have someone who can make them, go for it!

**msuvmi** · 09-25-2008, 18:41

I have been searching the site and I can not find the directions for a sleeping quilt, I though I had stumble upon one. Does anyone have any or know where they are?

**Just Jeff** · 09-25-2008, 19:10

Here's Coffee's Red River Gorge down quilt:
http://www.tothewoods.net/RedRiverGo...orgeQuilt.html

And here are synthetic quilts I made for my kids. Just change the dimensions to about 80"x50" for adults.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGe...ck.html#Quilts

**SingleTrackMind** · 09-25-2008, 19:47

I'm considering making my own quilt as well, for my Clark. The first time I heard of people using sythentic insulation it was in a BPL forum.

Below is a link to the thread, which also gives great and simple instructions on a ordinary hiking/camping quilt which readers are pleased with. Of course, you would need to customize it for a hammock.

Check out the 4th reply in this post for the quilt making instructions.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=11028

**msuvmi** · 09-25-2008, 20:22

Excellent, Thanks

**te-wa** · 09-25-2008, 21:17

i have made several down quilts, and one sythetic. Here is a tutorial for making a top quilt, you just have to tweak the dimensions and baffle size to make it 15° and fit your specific body.
The one I made in the tutorial is good to 30° without additional clothing. I could pro'lly make it down to 25 with just a good set of underwear. Please, if you have questions ask away.

**tight-wad** · 09-25-2008, 21:29

Sleeping bags have zippers. Zippers are not good to ultralight hammock fabrics.

You will not want to sleep in a zipped up sleeping bag in the hammock; too constricting, too hard. So, you will sleep with it over you, i.e. a quilt.

You have a seamstress who loves to sew, and who loves you.... You, my friend, are in HEAVEN!! Go to Wally's World and spend $20 on material, and you can have a quilt that most of us on this forum would envy!!!

**Buckeyebuck** · 09-26-2008, 07:03

Originally Posted by tight-wad

Go to Wally's World and spend $20 on material, and you can have a quilt that most of us on this forum would envy!!!

This statement has me wondering, and hopefully some more experienced members can weigh-in:

There is quilting material/insulation at Wal Mart that has approx 3/4" loft per layer. Has anyone played with that instead of Climashield or the other popular technical insulation? Obvious pro is that it is readily available and cheap. I'm assuming, but would like it confirmed (if any one can) that it is heavier and doesn't compress well. Is it thermally any good? Any info would be appreciated.