Help for JCP puffer underquilt

**pinballwizard** · 10-12-2013, 18:08

Hi all,
I'm newer to hanging and DIY, but I am very inspired and grateful to everything I have learned so far. This Forum rocks and everyone here has been so generous with knowledge.
I have recently ordered 9 JCP3XLT puffers and am looking forward to trying to make my first underquilt. (I have already made Whoopies and fronkey bugnets, though I paid the cleaners to do the sewing). The coats just arrived and now I am curious as to the best method to making them. I read all 37 pages on the underquilt, but there didn't seem to be a set tutorial as to how to make this. That is not to say there wasn't loads of information; thank you for inspiration Deerfu, HB, and everyone else on that thread.

It seems that the original design was to sew the bottoms of two coats together, remove the arms, and close the holes. Then attach grosgrain along the edge for the suspension system. Later, HB and some others really ramped it up by detaching all the panels and resetting them to form a classic underquilt model. My 2 questions are one, is there a consensus as to which method is the most effective for warmth? And two, is there a clear set of directions to go along with the patterns of either or both of these designs?

Also, if there is another design that is more effective, please let me know. Remember, this is my first real sew project, so if the results are extremely similar, I would prefer the job that is easier to undertake
Thank you all again. I am really excited about this one. Everything people made looked amazing.

**Mountnman** · 10-13-2013, 02:51

I have made both styles and the one which you sew the two bottoms together and cut off arms and sew the holes together had cold spots for me. Where the arms were it does not lay against my hammock so I cut some of the material out and sewed it back and worked better.

The disassembled one works great. It is alot more work but worth it in my opinion. You just have to be careful while seam ripping because the fabric is easy to cut. I would actually start ripping the seam with a seam ripper and they pull the pieces apart, I had no issues when doing it that way and it went rather quickly.

As for the sewing together, its not difficult at all. Just have to take your time. I would push all the down away from the seams I was about to sew and it went together nicely.

Hope that helps!!

**pinballwizard** · 10-13-2013, 08:36

Originally Posted by Mountnman

I have made both styles and the one which you sew the two bottoms together and cut off arms and sew the holes together had cold spots for me. Where the arms were it does not lay against my hammock so I cut some of the material out and sewed it back and worked better.

The disassembled one works great. It is alot more work but worth it in my opinion. You just have to be careful while seam ripping because the fabric is easy to cut. I would actually start ripping the seam with a seam ripper and they pull the pieces apart, I had no issues when doing it that way and it went rather quickly.

As for the sewing together, its not difficult at all. Just have to take your time. I would push all the down away from the seams I was about to sew and it went together nicely.

Hope that helps!!

That helps a lot, thank you so much!

: I would definitely rather put in the extra work if the results are there, and now I know they are. Also, you connected the questions I had in my head about seam ripping and sewing.
As far as ripping though, if I start ripping at the top of the seam, and then pull it apart, (carefully of course), I don't have to worry about the down pouring out

, do I?

**inspectorguy** · 10-13-2013, 09:16

Where did you come up with 9 of the jackets?

**Jaxx** · 10-13-2013, 09:30

"Grapenut" makes a pretty awesome under quilt out of the JCP puffer jackets . I would send him a pm. He could certainly put you on the right track.

**bruinfan** · 10-13-2013, 10:29

Originally Posted by inspectorguy

Where did you come up with 9 of the jackets?

i like your avatar inspectorguy.
and ditto. wheres the hookups

**pinballwizard** · 10-13-2013, 12:44

Originally Posted by inspectorguy

Where did you come up with 9 of the jackets?

JCP, of course!!!

However, they are now out of the 3XLT, but I do see some 2XLT and some 2XL left, but how many are left, I have no idea

They are on clearance for 25 a piece, but there is also a 15% off promo right now, which would make a coat $21.24. Good luck!

**pinballwizard** · 10-13-2013, 12:45

Originally Posted by Jaxx

"Grapenut" makes a pretty awesome under quilt out of the JCP puffer jackets . I would send him a pm. He could certainly put you on the right track.

thanks for the heads up. I will def reach out to him. I really appreciate how helpful everyone is here. Cheers

**mountain_man_mike** · 10-14-2013, 15:06

Originally Posted by pinballwizard

Hi all,
I'm newer to hanging and DIY, but I am very inspired and grateful to everything I have learned so far. This Forum rocks and everyone here has been so generous with knowledge.
I have recently ordered 9 JCP3XLT puffers and am looking forward to trying to make my first underquilt. (I have already made Whoopies and fronkey bugnets, though I paid the cleaners to do the sewing). The coats just arrived and now I am curious as to the best method to making them. I read all 37 pages on the underquilt, but there didn't seem to be a set tutorial as to how to make this. That is not to say there wasn't loads of information; thank you for inspiration Deerfu, HB, and everyone else on that thread.

It seems that the original design was to sew the bottoms of two coats together, remove the arms, and close the holes. Then attach grosgrain along the edge for the suspension system. Later, HB and some others really ramped it up by detaching all the panels and resetting them to form a classic underquilt model. My 2 questions are one, is there a consensus as to which method is the most effective for warmth? And two, is there a clear set of directions to go along with the patterns of either or both of these designs?

Also, if there is another design that is more effective, please let me know. Remember, this is my first real sew project, so if the results are extremely similar, I would prefer the job that is easier to undertake
Thank you all again. I am really excited about this one. Everything people made looked amazing.

Take a look at my thread listed below and see what you think. I really like that it's 2 layers and one of them zips out to become of all things... a down coat!

**Mountnman** · 10-14-2013, 15:42

Originally Posted by pinballwizard

That helps a lot, thank you so much!

: I would definitely rather put in the extra work if the results are there, and now I know they are. Also, you connected the questions I had in my head about seam ripping and sewing.
As far as ripping though, if I start ripping at the top of the seam, and then pull it apart, (carefully of course), I don't have to worry about the down pouring out

, do I?

I didn't have to much problem with the down coming out. I would rip the seam slowly by pulling it as I watched for any open spots. If there was one I would push all the down to the side and run a quick tight sea next to the one I was pulling apart then continue. Worked out well the material is really tough.