DIY insultex underquilt

Here's my second attempt at sewing. Er, Gear making. My first was a gathered end hammock that basically taught me how to use my mom's thread injector. This one was a little more complex. 3 layers of insultex. With the channel I was dealing with 7 layers at one time :scared:

40 by 60 on the small side (1.1 ripstop)

45 by 60 on the large side ( differential cut) I cut each layer of insultex 1 inch wider than the first and then my larger layer of ripstop at 45 to allow the insultex to hang correctly.

I put channels on each side with supplemental webbing loops in case I need to tweak the suspension a little bit.

Here's my favorite part : 16.2 ounces. That is the quilt only so total it should be right around 17 ounces.

I am hoping for a 30 some night this weekend so I can test it out!!!


I reserve the right to photograph only the parts that make this look like a quality product thus insinuating that the said parts reflect the entirety of my project.


input/critiques welcome!

Looks great. great job! Please let us know how it performs!

cooldays

Good job LB. I guess this is for your DIY gathered end hammock. Will the ends gather so the wind doesn't sneak in?

Looks Nice!

Needs Trip Report!

Wow, yeah that was a big part of the design that I forgot to mention

The ends already are gathered, ruffled if you will so that the width on each piece is the same. That took place before I sewed. I put a loose stitch in, secured it at one end and was able to scrunch up the fabric so it all fit into that 40 inches.

I am going to put shock cord and cord locks on the end. There are also two webbing loops on each end - both are between the middle and end of the quilt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leroybrown

The ends already are gathered, ruffled if you will so that the width on each piece is the same.

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Please describe that in more detail, slowly!

You mean each piece of IX is a full 60 inches wide, and the ends are scrunched?

Yes, that is exactly it.

If I didn't gather the ends of the quilt, I would end up with a big mess of fabric at the end of my seam because all the pieces are cut to different lengths. The longer pieces would bunch. I wanted bunch, but manageable bunch.

I put a loose stitch through each layer of insultex, and finally a stitch through the bigger piece of ripstop. At one end, I secured the stitch with a knot, and left the thread just as it was on the loose end. I grabbed the ripstop at the loose end and pushed it (bunching it) until it was the 40 inches wide - the same as the smallest piece of ripstop. I then secured the thread on what was the loose end. This made ruffles that I spread evenly throughout the entire length of each end piece (on each side). I did this with each layer so even the 45 inch layer of ripstop still fit right in with the 40 inch smaller piece.

My thought is that the ends will be nice and tight, but the material will fan out quickly after the seam and hang like it is intended.

you can see in the first picture that there is extra material on top - that is because it is pictured upside - down. that extra material will be facing the ground, hanging - allowing the insultex to hang and insulate like it is intended.

Very nice! I love the ingenuity!

Acer

That is ingenious! You have created the bulk that makes IX work well. If the ends fit as you intend, the result will be a very warm UQ!

Well thanks! I can't wait to try it! I wish I could take credit for the design - it was my mom who came up with the gather after I explained how finicky insultex can be.

Thanks MacEntyre for the insultex and all the great information you've compiled!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leroybrown

Thanks MacEntyre!

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You are entyrely welcome!

Kudos to Mrs Brown!

- MacEntyre

nice job! great design. How much did all that cost you?

Thats a great idea and that quilt looks like it came out very nice. A very smart design all around. Congrats. :thumbup:

I may have to get me some. of that Insultex to play with some time

Very nice, LB. I probably would have used pleats to even out the fabric, but I like your drawcord method better. Did you consider increasing the length as well as the width of the bottom pieces? I'm not sure it would be necessary, but who knows?

I like the idea- mine had 2 layers insultex, and space between them filled with poly insulating scraps; then hand applied big stitches around the edge, to hold it together while I put in the quilting loops; then put an envelope of the special green ripstop (i.e. group buy) to add shock-cord channels and keep the wind out. still needs a suspension system.
KM

Any pics on how it was gathered and sewn (i.e. w/out cover?) so we can replicate Mom's design?

(Maybe it should be called: Brown's Warm and Wonderful IX Underquilt ?)

YES!
More info on Mrs. Brown's scrunch, please.
Tom

that came out really nice...can't wait for a trip report :D

@Kermegan - Pleats!! what a fantastic idea. I think this would work SO much better than the gather. If you made them itty bitty, a half inch or so and ironed them down it would be oh so easy to sew. maybe iron them to be about 6 inches long? Is that what you did?

Honestly, the gather worked just fine as far as I can tell - but working with the scruntes and all the layers was very difficult. As stated before, I was working with 7 layers, ripstop, ripstop (for channel), ripstop, insultex, insultex, insultex. If I understand Kermegan correctly - I am invisioning pleats like a permanent fold in the front of dress slacks. Much more managable.

Cost? Geeze. Well the insultex was 5/yard from Mac's group buy. So I guess about 15 roughly in insultex. The ripstop I already had from my hammock.. Maybe 10 in ripstop? 50% off at Joanns.

Under $20 easy. Here's the thing with DIY though - now with all the money I saved on a quilt I feel as though I am justified to buy a bushbuddy. :laugh:

I am planning on hanging up the whole system tonight. I'll take more pictures and make a quick paint sketch of the gather system.

Trip report this weekend!

Way to go leroybrown! Great job!

Finally got everything strung up. It looks great. There is about 1 inch between the hammock and the first laying or ripstop and you can really see the volume of the underquilt. With everything laying how it should - I'm fairly happy at this point.

I know, I know, you guys want a trip report.

I am going to pictured rocks on the 9th through the 13th (count that as a formal invitation to anyone nearby) You'll get it then!!

Oh, and eyes off the model! She's my main squeeze :D

:lol::laugh:;);) She's a bag dude.
She looks kinda punchy.:laugh:
Okay, no more kid gloves.
:lol::D:rolleyes:

uq looks good. But that model looks a little beat up.:tongueup::glare::jj:

Wow! That cinched right up at the ends! Success! Good job!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gargoyle

:lol::laugh:;);) She's a bag dude.
She looks kinda punchy.:laugh:
Okay, no more kid gloves.
:lol::D:rolleyes:

uq looks good. But that model looks a little beat up.:tongueup::glare::jj:

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Lumpy :) lmao crack me up :lol:

That looks great. Can't wait for the field report.

The picture really made that picture and understanding of what you did come clear to me..
Brilliant!

More info after the 9th
Tom