My first Apex Underquilt

[Sandman614]

I hope my journey into this hobby will help someone else with their first quilt as you all have helped me. There can't be too many tutorials right?

This design process started out as a modification of the "IX Underquilt - DIY" by sclittlefield. After some looking at insulation I decided I wanted to use Climashield Apex 5oz instead of IX. As I'm only planning on a single layer I will be using the measurements from the bottom two layers of the IX quilt. Cutting the Apex and bottom cover the same size as the bottom layer.

*note Apex and Epsilon were bought to make 2 quilts because there would have been a lot of waste from 1 quilt.
Materials were purchased as follows:
3 yd Multicam Epsilon 1.55oz - ebay seller rrt_trading_post
3 yd Climashield Apex 5oz - ripstopbytheroll
7 yd Multicam 1" grosgrain - ripstopbytheroll
8 yd mil-spec 1/8" bungee - ebay seller A2ZTacticalGear
Gutermann 523 pebble polyester thread- Joann's fabric

[Sandman614]

Now for my first question. Should I use the center V-cut, the taper, or not worry about tapering the ends?

[FLRider]

Now for my first question. Should I use the center V-cut, the taper, or not worry about tapering the ends?

I would do the center dart rather than the outer taper cuts. And don't be afraid to do darts even after you're done sewing up the quilt the first time; it may require more tapering than that to fit your body, depending on how wide your shoulders and hips are. As long as you don't cut the material, darts are easy to undo given a little patience and a seam ripper.

Hope it helps!

[KingsFord]

bump
Nice choices on the materials.

[h_ngm_n]

Watching as I'm embarking on diy gear myself (hammy, tarp, UQ). Starting materials arrived today. Thanks for sharing your build!

[RedStix]

Looks like the start of a nice project. I'd tend to agree with FLRider around putting the darts in the middle.

[brino]

Are darts even really needed with the apex quilts? I think the KAQ are pretty much rectangular and flat, no? What's the advantage to the darting?

[Mouseskowitz]

Are darts even really needed with the apex quilts? I think the KAQ are pretty much rectangular and flat, no? What's the advantage to the darting?

From my understanding, darts have two functions. In a differentially cut quilt they will bring the two layers down to the same width. They also shape the overall quilt by creating a taper at the ends.

I will deffer to someone with more experience making UQs for the question of necessity. My initial thought is in the absence of a differential they are nice but not necessary.

[Sandman614]

I asked PappyAmos to share some of his experience. Here's an excerpt.

I have never darted Apex. That said, doing so on the ends should result in a better fit - perhaps a little warmer and lighter than without darts. Doing so will definitely not hurt anything. What is more important in my opinion is differential size of the fabric layers.

Press On!
Pappy

[Sandman614]

I've got everything cut and will sew tomorrow. Pictures will be had. Just in time too, there's a winter storm warning and snow tomorrow!