30 Minute DIY UQ - Eddie Bauer Polyester Throw

[Tendertoe]

Made the 20 minute version (https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/40224-20-Minute-DIY-UQ) a few years back out of the down travel throw.

I was at the Eddie Bauer warehouse store again a few weekends ago and saw the polyester version of the travel throw and figured I'd give it a try again. They were $29.99.

They have them online as well (http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/travel-throw/82203559/_/A-ebSku_0223559823__82203559_catalog10002_en__US), they were the same price a few weeks ago but have since increased to $49.99.

For the 20 minute down version, all I did was sew grosgrain around the perimeter, threaded shockcord through the channels and was done.

You could do the same thing with the polyester version as the extra width didn't affect anything (you're just needlessly carrying around the extra weight of the few inches of width). It makes for an extremely simple DIY project not cutting it as you don't have to cut the thing open (more important with the down version as you'd have down floating everywhere if you cut the down version. Not as big of a deal with the polyester version which is half of the reason why I decided to give it a try cutting it down to size).

For the 30 minute version on the polyester one, I cut the throw to 45 inches wide and left it at 60 inches long.

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/photo21_zps14d4a4d0.jpg

I sewed grosgrain around the perimeter of the cut to size throw.

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/photo3_zpsdda9ae06.jpg

Threaded shock cord through the channels, put a few cord locks on the shock cord, and you're done.

On a tablecloth gathered end hammock -

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/b_zps854399c3.jpg

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/c_zpsf84402ce.jpg



On a WBRR (thanks to Rip Waverly (https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/member.php/6501-rip-waverly) for posing -

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/photo3_zpsbca0d087.jpg

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/photo1_zpsc7a4104c.jpg



Cost -

I used all items I could find locally just for ease. You could shave a couple bucks off the cost and support a great cottage company by purchasing online from DIY Gear Supply (http://diygearsupply.com/)

Eddie Bauer Polyester Throw (http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/travel-throw/82203559/_/A-ebSku_0223559823__82203559_catalog10002_en__US) - $29.99
Grosgrain (http://www.joann.com/rah-rah-3-inch-grosgrain-ribbon/zprd_12759478a.html) (45x2+60x2 = 210 inches [17.5ft]) I used two 9 foot rolls from Joann's. I also liked the wider grosgrain as it gives you more margin for error - $10
Shock Cord (http://www.rei.com/product/857935/tapecraft-shockcord-18-in) (20 feet for the suspension plus 45 inches for head and foot end cinches = 27.5 feet) - $7
Cord Locks (http://www.rei.com/product/848877/gear-aid-ellipse-toggle-cord-locks) (4 total) - $6

Total Cost - $53

[dtp2c111]

It's 49.99 but 40% off so probably only 30 bucks. Sweet!!

[MidTNJohn]

50x72 Down Throw in some good colors for 40% off of $80:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/down-throw---solid/H2174151/_/A-ebSku_0211967938__H2174151_catalog10002_en__US?sho wProducts=&backToCat=Blankets%20_%20Throws&previousPage=&tab=home&color=226

[paulw]

brilliant idea ,I just checked Eddie Bauer in Calgary where I live ,and they have these in stock,and also in down, I just bought my first u.q. ( a new river from k.a.q. ) but I am thinking the down throw for $ 90 as top quilt should work out for me and save a lot of bucks in the process it has •600 fill Premium Down so not sure how low it would take me but at that price I will make it work ,this forum never seizes to amaze me ,I never ever thought of eddie bauer for that sort of stuff, great idea,s on this forum

[Xtrm tj]

Good idea...I just think it wouldn't be warm or big enough for me.

Great thinking!!

[okieinalaska]

Tendertoe it looks great, thank you for the pics. I bought one to try it myself.

[dirtwheels]

Good Stuff, for inside hanging I converted a fleece blanket it was around $20. I cut slots in the channel ends and installed shock cord. Work well, I wouldn't use it under 65* though..

[Bstomper]

Thats a great diy project and the price is right for the quilt.

[mountain_man_mike]

Sweet DIY project there. Well done indeed.

[SirMarkos]

What's the weight?

[oldpappy]

Thanks for the info - now I have another winter DIY project using this 600 fill down comforter to make a TQ.
P.S. Before jumping on this - understand that 'down fill power' is a reference to the quality of the down insulation used and this 600 fill isn't so good.
The down fill number is actually a volume or the amount of cubic inches one ounce of down occupies. So a higher down fill power allows for better warmth-to-weight ratios as well as better compressability. This 600 fill down comforter is much less compressible and has a lower warmth-to-weight ratio as the quality stuff the cottage vendors use to make TQ/UQs. If you want quality - buy from a cottage vendor that use 800 or 900 fill (and get the water resistant hydrophobic stuff). I'm just doing a cheap experiment for a 3 season TQ to compare with my current SnugPac Jungle Bag and supplement my pod/sock.

[u.willie]

That's nice! Looks like a quick, easy, relatively inexpensive way to get a warm-ish weather under/top quilt. The Travel Throw (http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/travel-throw/82203559/_/A-ebSku_0223559823__82203559_catalog10002_en__US) is a bit smaller (and a bit less expensive too) than the Down Throw (http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/down-throw---solid/H2174151/_/A-ebSku_0211967938__H2174151_catalog10002_en__US?sho wProducts=&backToCat=Blankets%20_%20Throws&previousPage=&tab=home&color=226). Like SirMarkos asked, I wonder: What's the weight?

u.w.

[dirtwheels]

A throw advertised as indoor outdoor for under $40 might be an alternative.

http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Ultralite-Nylon-Indoor-Outdoor-Throw-with-Compact-Travel-Bag/9052031/product.html

[Bstomper]

Sweet project. I have scoured the net looking for a canadian eddie bauer store but found nothing. The shipping and exchange make stuff like this not so good of a deal for us north of the border. I was looking at the 50x72 for $59 but that is only a online exclusive. I have a Eddie Bauer store near me and they have a 50% sale on a 50x72 down throw with water resistant material on one side and fleece on the other for $70 (not bad) but I'm not to sure about the fleece. I guess it would be against the bottom of the hammock. hmmmm.....any thoughts on this guys.
according to the lady at the store this would be it.
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/oversized-down-throw/82203546/_/A-ebSku_0223546573__82203546_catalog10002_en__US?sho wProducts=&backToCat=Blankets%20_%20Throws&previousPage=&tab=home&color=573

[oldpappy]

Sweet project. I have scoured the net looking for a canadian eddie bauer store but found nothing. The shipping and exchange make stuff like this not so good of a deal for us north of the border. I was looking at the 50x72 for $59 but that is only a online exclusive. I have a Eddie Bauer store near me and they have a 50% sale on a 50x72 down throw with water resistant material on one side and fleece on the other for $70 (not bad) but I'm not to sure about the fleece. I guess it would be against the bottom of the hammock. hmmmm.....any thoughts on this guys.
according to the lady at the store this would be it.
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/oversized-down-throw/82203546/_/A-ebSku_0223546573__82203546_catalog10002_en__US?sho wProducts=&backToCat=Blankets%20_%20Throws&previousPage=&tab=home&color=573

I haven't done it yet, but this is what I was thinking of doing:
I think a 'JRB OLD RAG Mtn' style mod would work. Read this and note how it can be used as a TQ or UQ.
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/old-rag-mtn-standard-rectangular-quilts/
I have always wanted a JRB Old Rag Mtn but could never justify the cost - so this will be an attempt at a DIY one for mild weather. This is also a good example of how a cottage vendor product is of a much better quality materials than this Eddie Bauer 600/650 fill down quilt DIY project.

[Ridgehanger]

And to think i said i would never from them !

[Bstomper]

I am always looking for a cheap way to make underquilts. I love the DIY stuff but it does take time and skills with a sewing machine, neither of which I have much of. I would love to be able to just by this stuff from cottage vendors, and I would if it was just me. The huge problem I have is I have 4 hammocks to outfit, mine, wifes , sons and daughters. I wish there was a cottage vendor here from canada because it would cost a small fortune to outfit my family ordering from south of the border. With the shipping for the $30 eddie bauer throw it doubles the price which makes it not such a good deal for us up north.
Keep up the good work with the DIY stuff guys, it helps people like me and my family, make it possible to enjoy this sport.

[alexpotato]

Just orderd one of the polyester throws and the down throws. Will probably make the poly into an underquilt and the down into a top quilt.

[Tendertoe]

brilliant idea ,I just checked Eddie Bauer in Calgary where I live ,and they have these in stock,and also in down, I just bought my first u.q. ( a new river from k.a.q. ) but I am thinking the down throw for $ 90 as top quilt should work out for me and save a lot of bucks in the process it has •600 fill Premium Down so not sure how low it would take me but at that price I will make it work ,this forum never seizes to amaze me ,I never ever thought of eddie bauer for that sort of stuff, great idea,s on this forum

If you do decide to make this, let us know how it goes.

So everyone knows, the polyester version for a top quilt would be a bit small unless you sewed two together. They are only 60 inches from top to bottom so unless you're under 5 feet tall, it would only go up to your armpits at best.


Good idea...I just think it wouldn't be warm or big enough for me.

On it not being warm enough, for a summer/early fall/late spring UQ, this would be perfect. It's not going to get you into cold temps but for $50-$60, it'll work for folks that only camp in warm temps and don't want or can't spend a boatload of cash on gear.

I took the down version, which had the same loft as this polyester version down to 50 degrees in the video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMEc8VHz--o).

As for not being big enough, I'm 6'2'' 270lbs and it fits me great for a partial-length UQ (it's the same width as most cottage partial-length UQs [and if you left it at full width it would be even wider] and actually 8 inches longer most cottage partial-length UQs).


Tendertoe it looks great, thank you for the pics. I bought one to try it myself.

Let us know how it turns out.


What's the weight?

I unfortunately did not weigh it prior to modding it. I would have liked to have a baseline weight of just the throw but I got ahead of myself trying to get it finished before my kid woke up from his nap ;)

It's 1lb 12 oz. as it's pictured in the finished photos with shockcord, cord locks, grosgrain, and cut to width. It's about 9 oz heavier than the down throw version.


P.S. Before jumping on this - understand that 'down fill power' is a reference to the quality of the down insulation used and this 600 fill isn't so good.

The down fill number is actually a volume or the amount of cubic inches one ounce of down occupies. So a higher down fill power allows for better warmth-to-weight ratios as well as better compressability. This 600 fill down comforter is much less compressible and has a lower warmth-to-weight ratio as the quality stuff the cottage vendors use to make TQ/UQs. If you want quality - buy from a cottage vendor that use 800 or 900 fill (and get the water resistant hydrophobic stuff). I'm just doing a cheap experiment for a 3 season TQ to compare with my current SnugPac Jungle Bag and supplement my pod/sock.

Although this is talking about the down version, I figured it may be good to make sure everyone understands this as it could be a misleading comment.

Low fill power down is just as good at insulating as higher fill power down, but it would simply take more down to do the job. You can have an item made with low fill power down and it would be just as warm as something made with higher fill power down, it's just going to weigh more than the same item made with higher fill power down.

It won't be lesser quality, just heavier and less compressible.

Don't get me wrong, I have multiple quilts from multiple cottage vendors. They are great quality and extremely lightweight and compressible.

However, like I mentioned before, some folks either only camp in the warmer months and/or don't want to/can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars on cottage gear.

This is going to be a loaner quilt for when folks come along to give camping or hammock camping a try. I'm not trying to break the bank on something that's going to get a weekend's worth of use a year at best.


And to think i said i would never from them !

Frankly, I love their true outdoor brand First Ascent (http://www.eddiebauer.com/browse/first-ascent/_/N-274k?tab=first-ascent).

I have their down jacket and many gloves, pants, and shells. They come in big and tall sizes is the main reason I originally started buying their items but the quality and craftsmanship is that of any good outdoor clothing/gear brand.


I am always looking for a cheap way to make underquilts. I love the DIY stuff but it does take time and skills with a sewing machine, neither of which I have much of. I would love to be able to just by this stuff from cottage vendors, and I would if it was just me. The huge problem I have is I have 4 hammocks to outfit, mine, wifes , sons and daughters. I wish there was a cottage vendor here from canada because it would cost a small fortune to outfit my family ordering from south of the border. With the shipping for the $30 eddie bauer throw it doubles the price which makes it not such a good deal for us up north.
Keep up the good work with the DIY stuff guys, it helps people like me and my family, make it possible to enjoy this sport.

It looks like there's an Eddie Bauer shop in Saskatoon if you're willing to drive 6 hours. If they don't have the product(s) you're looking for at that exact store, you can have the item(s) shipped there for the price you find online.


Just orderd one of the polyester throws and the down throws. Will probably make the poly into an underquilt and the down into a top quilt.

Let us know how it goes. The down one online is different than the one I used before. I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

[Flynguy521]

I ordered their down throw which is different than the old pack able down throw. I'll have a write up and some photos when it comes in.

[pinballwizard]

A throw advertised as indoor outdoor for under $40 might be an alternative.

http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Ultralite-Nylon-Indoor-Outdoor-Throw-with-Compact-Travel-Bag/9052031/product.html

I don't understand why this is better than the OP's synthetic throw. Same size specs, we don't have weight on either so we will assume they are the same, it is 10 dollars more and branded by who-knows. Am I missing something?

[corrumpu]

I live in florida and I just bought 3 of the travels throws. I modded one and used it this last weekend ( it was around 36F) Now I know it wasn't enough, but I had a down bag and used another throw unmodded on top. I was very warm.

I will weight one unmodded tonight and post it up. I am hoping to make these work for my girls (5 & 7) who will be camping only in warm weather. It's a cheap alternative to buying an UQ or DIYing a down one. I'm seeing this as just another UQ in the quiver so to speak.

Thanks for posting up this find!

--chris

UPDATE - 837g in the stuff sack minus the carabiner that comes with it.
1# 13oz

[alexpotato]

UPDATE - 837g in the stuff sack minus the carabiner that comes with it.
1# 13oz

The down one comes in at 750g/26.4oz

For reference, here are some other weights:
-Poncho Liner 700g/24oz
-AHE New River Long 910g/32oz

[Tendertoe]

Here are a few additional pics -

Next to a doubled over poncho liner (prior to sewing)

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/image_zpsb6f118f7.jpg

About 1.25-1.5 inches of loft

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n516/tendertoe1/image_zpsbc4ee2b1.jpg

[Flynguy521]

I bought the down throw from EB. I sent it back. Too expensive and not the same model I thought it was.

[alexpotato]

So just finished turning the poly throw into an underquilt and the down throw into a topquilt.

Couple design notes:
-I ended up not cutting the poly throw as I wanted the extra width

-I don't have a thread injector so I sewed gross grain to the head and foot end by hand using doubled up dental floss and a straight stitch

-I didn't run shockcord along the long sides. That would have been a lot more sewing and, personally, I prefer to use loops at the center of the long side attached to a ridgeline to snug up an underquilt.

-BIG ONE: I realized it was better to fold back a piece of the grosgrain at the end and make a "hem". Even with melting the grosgrain, it still started to fray a little. I didn't figure this out till after I finished the poly throw so I did it on the down throw.

99931
Over view of one end of the poly throw underquilt. Looks the same on the other(foot) end. All stitching done by hand.

99932
Close up of the loop for the shockcord. Will attach the shockcord to my suspension and probably use a tautline hitch made out of paracord to tighten it up.

99930
Close up of the loop in the middle of the long side. There is one on the other side as well. I find that running some paracord through these and then attaching them to a ridgeline really helps snug up the underquilt.

99929
Close up of the "hem" I made in the grosgrain channel. Should help with fraying.

STILL TO DO:
-May add snaps or ties to the undertquilt to make an actual footbox
-Make a stuff sack for the down throw/UQ

Any other tips/suggestions/feedback are greatly appreciated.

[alexpotato]

I bought the down throw from EB. I sent it back. Too expensive and not the same model I thought it was.

Since I just bought the new model, what was the main difference between the new and old model?

[mrmike]

Great DIY. So many choices for UQ for a newbie it can be a bit overwhelming. don't want to make a bad choice and waste time and money on something that doesn't work.

[Flynguy521]

@ alexpotato the old down travel throw was made out slick poly-type material and was for outdoor use as well. The down throw they have now is indoor use only.

I got confused in researching and thought I was getting the indoor/outdoor model and found out later those are an old model.

[Tendertoe]

So just finished turning the poly throw into an underquilt and the down throw into a topquilt.

Couple design notes:
-I ended up not cutting the poly throw as I wanted the extra width

-I don't have a thread injector so I sewed gross grain to the head and foot end by hand using doubled up dental floss and a straight stitch

-I didn't run shockcord along the long sides. That would have been a lot more sewing and, personally, I prefer to use loops at the center of the long side attached to a ridgeline to snug up an underquilt.

-BIG ONE: I realized it was better to fold back a piece of the grosgrain at the end and make a "hem". Even with melting the grosgrain, it still started to fray a little. I didn't figure this out till after I finished the poly throw so I did it on the down throw.

99931
Over view of one end of the poly throw underquilt. Looks the same on the other(foot) end. All stitching done by hand.

99932
Close up of the loop for the shockcord. Will attach the shockcord to my suspension and probably use a tautline hitch made out of paracord to tighten it up.

99930
Close up of the loop in the middle of the long side. There is one on the other side as well. I find that running some paracord through these and then attaching them to a ridgeline really helps snug up the underquilt.

99929
Close up of the "hem" I made in the grosgrain channel. Should help with fraying.

STILL TO DO:
-May add snaps or ties to the undertquilt to make an actual footbox
-Make a stuff sack for the down throw/UQ

Any other tips/suggestions/feedback are greatly appreciated.

Nice work.

A few thoughts -

You mention using paracord to attach the UQ to your hammock. Anytime I use static cordage to attach a UQ to a hammock I make sure I put some length of shock cord in the system. I have ripped quilts before by not having some "give" built into the system. Usually just a loop of shock cord at the UQ and attach the paracord to that.

Secondly, rather than a taut line hitch for adjustment, I prefer to have 4 pieces of cord prussic'ed onto the UQ suspension. That way you don't have to tie and retie the taut line on the UQ suspension multiple times to dial it in. Adjustment can also be done from within the hammock by moving the prussics towards the head end or foot end of the hammock.

It is described in the below video for use on a bridge hammock but you can also use the UQ suspension method with prussics on a gathered end hammock. Carabiner the two head end prussics together and clip to the hammock suspension and carabiner the two foot end prussics together and clip to the hammock suspension. You can tie them together with a loop of cordage if you don't want any carabiners and put the loop over the hammock suspension just the same.

Let us know how everything works in the field.

vQtXeV01Czo

[Brucesmith]

This is helpful. Thank you.

[alexpotato]

You mention using paracord to attach the UQ to your hammock. Anytime I use static cordage to attach a UQ to a hammock I make sure I put some length of shock cord in the system. I have ripped quilts before by not having some "give" built into the system. Usually just a loop of shock cord at the UQ and attach the paracord to that.


Good point. I probably should have clarified that I use shockcord at the head/foot end to attach the UQ to the hammock suspension. I use the paracord at the center loops and then toss that over the ridgeline. The ridgeline usually has enough flex that it doesn't pull too hard.



Secondly, rather than a taut line hitch for adjustment, I prefer to have 4 pieces of cord prussic'ed onto the UQ suspension. That way you don't have to tie and retie the taut line on the UQ suspension multiple times to dial it in. Adjustment can also be done from within the hammock by moving the prussics towards the head end or foot end of the hammock.

Also a good point. I was using cord locks for everything but thought that they were too loose. Saw a video of a guy using strings as prussiks on shock cord so really want to try that.