Down Sleeping Bags into underquilt?

[A.Bottoms]

so i was at the thrift store today and they had a 50% off sale... long story short i picked up 2 MEC Explorer Down Sleeping Bag 0C (Kids') for a whopping 3$ each

is there any easy way to make them into an underquilt?

[MidTNJohn]

There are lots of threads on it.
The hardest part seems to be keeping the down in place when you are cutting.
You will make a mess.
You can run a stitch inside of where you are going to cut.

Your questions are going to be whether or not you want to try to add darts to it or create a differential (top side and bottom side slightly different sizes) to improve the fit.
If you leave it flat, all you would do is to cut it, add Channels to all four sides with corner tie outs and put shock cord down the long sides and smaller elastic drawstring on the short sides.

Read lots of threads and watch lots of videos.
If it doesn't fit well it won't work

[NickR]

Great find! You can also go the route of harvesting the down and stitching up your own underquilt.

[MidTNJohn]

Something to keep in mind...you got these for basically nothing and will not have to spend much on parts.
But modifying sleeping bags and poncho liners can give you functional gear but it will be heavier than the materials that UQ makers are using.

I did a sewn PLUQ as a learning experience but ended up with $50 in materials and it is heavier than it needs to be.

[Floridahanger]

That's a great deal for $3 each no matter the down/feather mix or fill power.

If you want to only modify and not harvest the down, then you may want to cut out an inside shell piece a little narrower than the bag width you plan on cutting it to. This will keep the bag lofted as the inner shell is snug up against you. No baffles needed from the bag to inner shell because the bag is still intact.

To make the bag narrower to your likes, mark your edge and shake the bag to redistribute the down, then sew your line and cut. Turn it over and do the same to other side. This will keep the down inside the bag.