Besides minor fixes, I haven't sewn since middle school....and my experience with our sewing machine is sketchy at best.
I'm inches away from placing an order of materials for a DIY 20° 3/4 down underquilt. Is this too big of a project to start off with? The order would include plenty of spare material for "oops" issues.
Things like quilts I leave to the pros, they just scare me.
Go for it! I would start off with some of the extra material first to get as many oops out of the way as possible. It is a blast making your own gear and it dosent have to be perfect...just functional which is usually how most of my gear turns out. Be sure and post the pictures and good luck!
Try buikding something easy and cheap first such as a hammock. You can even pick up some bargain bin nylon or polyester lining to make it out of. That will get some basic skills going before trying something more complex.
Honestly sewing all the baffles isn't the part that worries me on a down quilt. Stuffing the down does.
Functional, affordable, pretty... I can only budget for two of thoseOriginally Posted by latriper
I'm ok with my UQ looking like Frankenstein. But the excess material will be used to get the proper tension & such on my sewing machine.
It sounds like the messiest part, but somehow fun! All the detail work in the sewing is what has me nervous. Type of stitching pattern/proper hem sizes... Oy!
I'm the same as you Likeapuma. I'm sure I could figure out how to DIY, but I prefer to pay a little extra to purchase gear that is ready to go (or at least close to ready to go). On the other hand, I can understand the fun and satisfaction that comes with DIY.
That's why I think you should make a hammock first. You get your tensions set correctly, learn to do a rolled hem, and how to do long straight lines. It's a great learning project!Functional, affordable, pretty... I can only budget for two of those
It sounds like the messiest part, but somehow fun! All the detail work in the sewing is what has me nervous. Type of stitching pattern/proper hem sizes... Oy!
Oh you also don't need any types of stitch other than a straight stitch for the most part. That tge easy bit. Get tension set and see straight(ish)!
Starting off with a hammock is definitely a good idea BUT... I was in your exact same position and decided to go for it. After ~22 hours of work, I had completed my 1st DIY gear project: a 3" loft full length green monster UQ. Now everything I make seems simple!
If you have the time, patience and resources I'd say go for it!
I wouldn't do an UQ as a first project but definitely after some other projects to get some experience. It's not just about the manual skill but also thinking about the steps in construction. I made mistakes on early projects but with time I find I'm more organized in my head if that makes sense.
Last edited by Bubba; 01-21-2015 at 23:11.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
You've used a sewing machine before, so you know what's involved. Like others have advised, pick a few easy projects first as a warm-up. Hammocks, peak bags, stuff sacks all made from the same or very similar materials that you would use for the quilt. Then, absolutely go for the quilt if you feel comfortable. Remember, gear making doesn't have to look pretty; it has to be serviceable & functional.
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
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