First Down UQ Project: Your Thoughts on Mine

[FireInMyBones]

My project is to keep the total cost bellow $95. I was thinking an even $100, but I'd like to try and keep it interesting.
I want to make a light weight 1/2 length down UQ (tappered 42"x50"). I am looking at a black bottom with a silver/light gray top. I want it to be on a continuous cord for ease of adjustment.
I have a supplier: Wilderness Logics. On to the materials:
-1 yrd Black Sil
-1 yrd Gray Sil
-2 yrds Netting
- Polyester Thread
-16' Grosgrain
-30' Bunggie Cord
-2 Cord Locks
-2 Mitten Clips
-9oz 800+ down

Any reason not to use Sil? I see most people are using rip-stop.

So, what are your thoughts?

[MAD777]

It is generally accepted that cover materials for quilts need to be breathable.
Lately, there are a few making exceptions to this, using cuben in the interest of making light, though less breathable, quilts.

Silnylon is not breathable and is heavier than plain nylon, so I don't see any advantage to using it. Plus, silnylon is generally more expensive.

Make sure that if you use nylon ripstop that it is calendared so that it will be downproof.

Keep us posted on your progress and pictures are REQUIRED!

[FireInMyBones]

It is generally accepted that cover materials for quilts need to be breathable...
Silnylon is not breathable and is heavier than plain nylon...
Make sure that if you use nylon ripstop that it is calendared so that it will be downproof.

Keep us posted on your progress and pictures are REQUIRED!

Breathablity! I knew there was a reason. I was going for water resistance. The pictures on the Wilderness Logics website look calendered. I will take pictures and update as I go. I am going to wait to order the supplies until I hear some more feedback and have a solid plan laid out. I have high hopes for this so I can use it on an upcoming trip. I had been sleeping on the ground when it got too cold. This will change that.

[G.L.P.]

your going to need more then 1 yard of each as well..... 2 yards of each color will do it

also your not going to need 30 feet of shock cord 18-20 feet will do just fine
also 1 yard of netting should be fine depending on how many chambers you plan to do
also keep your chambers small... so your down don't migrate to one section on the UQ ...

[trinni]

Breathablity! I knew there was a reason. I was going for water resistance. The pictures on the Wilderness Logics website look calendered. I will take pictures and update as I go. I am going to wait to order the supplies until I hear some more feedback and have a solid plan laid out. I have high hopes for this so I can use it on an upcoming trip. I had been sleeping on the ground when it got too cold. This will change that.

That's what I'd try if I did not already have my DIY UQ... but I'd only make the outer shell out of silnylon.

Good luck with yours!

[FireInMyBones]

I'm looking at 7 baffles (roughly 6" wide each) filled as such: .8oz, 1.2oz, 1.5oz, 2oz, 1.5oz, 1.2oz, .8oz.

Good point about the amount of fabric. I may just go with 1.5 yards of each. Maybe I'll do a split: Sil on the bottom/outside and ripstop on the top/inside.
I am also going to be making some tarp skins with the leftover netting (not totaled into final cost).

[MAD777]

Silnylon on the outside only is the worst possible scenario. What will happen is that water vapor from your sweat during the night will enter the quilt from the top but not be able to pass through out of the bottom. You will have a seriously wet quilt by morning.

If you use any non-breathable material in your quilt, it must be on the side between you and the quilt first. Then you can decide whether or not you want it on the outside also.

The worst that will happen is you will wake up with your backside wet from sweating against the silnylon, but the quilt should still be dry.

[FireInMyBones]

I did not realize the possible outcomes from using the different fabrics. As this will be my first project of this kind, I am glad that I am asking these questions.

[MAD777]

Hi FireInMyBones,

Here is a link to a similar quilt that I made. It's certainly not the best example out there but you may be able to take away a few ideas from it. There are many more fine UQ that members have made. You can find them if you search the DIY forum.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26542

[FireInMyBones]

By varying the fill of each baffle, I guess I should also vary the height of each netting strip: 2", 3", 4", 4", 3", 4", 3", 2". Does that sound about right? @MAD777, you used ~1oz per 2" baffle right? If I am hoping to have ~2oz in the middle baffle, I would need 4" of loft?
Or would a 2", 3", 3", 3", 3", 2" with .8oz, 1.2oz, 1.6oz, 1.8oz, 1.6oz, 1.2oz, .8oz fills respectively be better for a more consistent warmth factor?