Top Quilt questions.

[outdooraddict]

So I will definitely be utilizing all of the information already available, but I can't get the calculator working on my phone And I'm wondering how much down I'll need. I think I will just be going with a 52" wide quilt, more than likely with a snap and drawstring enclosure for the footbox. Would snaps be good or would a velcro strip be best?

Plan is to get something capable of bringin me down into the single digits. Next question is baffle height. Is 2.5 inches sufficient for this?

Just kicking ideas around right now, thanks.

[FreedomVan]

I don't have any experience on the DIY side, but I can tell you about my experience with Velcro. I have a JRB Hudson River too quilt that I bought on the forums. I didn't realize that a previous owner had cut off the two small pieces of grograin that you tie together at the top of the slit. So, when I use it, I have a really hard time keeping it together all night. Its unfortunately way too easy for it to pull apart. So I would say snaps are way better or you need a fool proof method of attachment to complete the Velcro.

[outdooraddict]

Thanks for the input, sounds like a tie would be beneficial either way. I read a post a while ago about snaps being ripped out.

[dingbat]

Plan is to get something capable of bringin me down into the single digits. Next question is baffle height. Is 2.5 inches sufficient for this?

2.5" would probably be fine for single digits with that 0*+4oz. Incubator under you. I've just done preliminary testing on the one I just built but half an hour on the porch outside this morning at 0*, on top of a Thermarest pad wearing just flannel pajama pants, a T-shirt, and wool cap I came right up to a comfortable temp no problem. My baffles vary between 2.5" and 2.75" (lazy cutting and sewing). I was shooting for 10* but I think I way over did it. I did a differential cut too which I now think was well worth it. With the inner shell pulled tight around me to close the gap at the ground, there was still plenty of slack on the outer for the down to loft.

For a reference of how I sleep, the standard fill 10* Incubator feels like it's just reaching the edge of comfort at 10* with some wind blowing but my tarp closed up well. I suspect it would go to at least 0* for me if there were no wind or I could manage it better.

[outdooraddict]

Thanks for the response. How many ounces of down/fill power did you use?

[dingbat]

14oz of 850. Check out the full description here: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...y-First-Quilt!

Note the baffle arrangement and shorter baffles down both sides. I think this let me use less down since four of the eight chambers are smaller than if it was the same baffle height all the way across.

[wgiles]

I just finished a quilt and I used a 40" strip of Union Tape (also known as Omni Tape) on each side from the bottom edge up. The bottom edge has a drawcord to pull the opening closed. Union or Omni tape is like Velcro, but has both the hook and the loop in one piece. One piece of Union tape will stick to any other piece of union tape. I sewed the tape to a piece of Polyester blanket binding that sticks out of the side seam and the two pieces face each other. I know from experience that this tape will come open when I stick my feet in, so I sewed a 10" long piece of flat nylon shoe lace to each side's blanket binding Sew that I have a secure tie at the top of the foot box closure. I though about making a buttonhole in one piece of the binding and sewing a button to the other, but ultimately decided to use the laces.

[outdooraddict]

14oz of 850. Check out the full description here: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...y-First-Quilt!

Note the baffle arrangement and shorter baffles down both sides. I think this let me use less down since four of the eight chambers are smaller than if it was the same baffle height all the way across.

I looked at your thread earlier, I really like that zipper!

[Boston]

Use a piece of grosgrain to reinforce the area you will apply the snap to prevent ripping in lightweight fabric.

[dingbat]

I looked at your thread earlier, I really like that zipper!

So do I.

Happy to write up how I did it if you are interested. It wasn't the least bit difficult.