DIY Backpacker Quilt and Underquilt

**deccles** · 10-22-2012, 08:29

Bought a kit from Ray Jardine for the Backpacker Quilt, used basic DIY Gear Supply instructions to make the underquilt. Slept out in the yard last night, kept me toasty to 37 degrees. I suspect much lower temps are reasonable, especially if I start layering myself up (just pj's last night).

Bought the camo fabric half price at a local fabric store. Both were fun projects, this was my first time sewing. My wife (a quilter) helped me out a lot.

**Troop2011scoutmaster** · 10-22-2012, 09:19

Did you add any insulation or did you just use what came with the kit?

**Duffy** · 10-22-2012, 10:39

Nice project. I have two old ray-way quilts I have used for many years.

**deccles** · 10-22-2012, 13:55

The backpacking quilt was purchased from RayWay, with the "Arctic Insulation" option. This was my very first ever sewing project, so I really needed the full detailed instructions. It was hard, but gave me the confidence to proceed on to the underquilt project.

The underquilt was made with 1.1 ripstop, and 3 layers of Thinsulate insulation. I really liked working with the pre-quilted stuff, it was a lot easier (but I suspect not as light) as the arctic stuff. I loosely based it on the DIY Gear Supply project (which doesn't give you a lot of detail). I modified it to be longer because I'm 6'1".

I used techline at the head end, shock cord at the feet. This keeps the shoulders in place, but gives enough stretch at the feet so I can still get in the entrance in my Hennessy Hammock.