top quilt pattern

[TraumaRN]

as much as i enjoy my crowsnest, and would love to mary it with a hammockgear TQ, money is short lately and with no trips coming up i cant justify it. but i can squeeze a diy into the budget. fortunately while my parents were visiting a month ago, i recruited my mom to sew snakeskins and a pair of doors for my tarp. results were great and now im tinking i could persuade her to put her country crafting and sewing skills to work on a TQ. if anyone has a decent patter/directions or knows the link to an existing DIY thread, would love to take a look!

[JohnSawyer]

I've always like the simplicity of the Karo Step quilt designs...

Jerry's looked awesome: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...highlight=karo

[ExPXGUY]

There should be a lot of posts here and on Backpacking Light if you dig deep enough.

One of the classics is here....
http://thru-hiker.com/projects/down_quilt.php

ThruHiker even sells a kit for it here if you are inclined
http://thru-hiker.com/kits/quilt_kit.php

[Big Jim Mac]

OK, I must be stupid. I've looked at every thread on making TQ and I can't envision how you sew the foot end into a circle. Unless you have one of those thread injectors that has a long skinny arm, how do you sew without sewing the bottom to the top? Maybe I need a video, I'm from Missouri and you have to "Show-Me." ;-)

[Dblcorona]

If you are a member at Backpacking Light, there is a really good article and directions on making a down quilt.

Not to discourage anybody from diy, but another option is to maybe look for a used down bag to modify or even look for a down quilt from someone like Golite. Just a thought.

[Dblcorona]

Here is a thread that has some pretty good pics of the baffles. I know this has confused me in the past and this would have helped.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=38663

[TZBrown]

This winter I plan on doing a winter weight top quilt.

The Karo Step looks like about the most simple and efficient for the job that I have seen.

Anyone have any con's to the Karo design for a topquilt?

TZ

[gargoyle]

OK, I must be stupid. I've looked at every thread on making TQ and I can't envision how you sew the foot end into a circle. Unless you have one of those thread injectors that has a long skinny arm, how do you sew without sewing the bottom to the top? Maybe I need a video, I'm from Missouri and you have to "Show-Me." ;-)

No your not stupid, it is a pita. But thats the reason folks use a drawstring channel to close the foot end.

Regular footbox, No need for a long arm injector. Lots of patience and pins are needed.

[jbo_c]

I thought the footbox question was just me. Thanks for asking.

I've got an idea but it will not look very polished. I know that isnt a requirement but it makes me feel better.

Jbo

[JerryW]

OK, I must be stupid. I've looked at every thread on making TQ and I can't envision how you sew the foot end into a circle. Unless you have one of those thread injectors that has a long skinny arm, how do you sew without sewing the bottom to the top? Maybe I need a video, I'm from Missouri and you have to "Show-Me." ;-)

For mine, I made an insulated circular panel for the end of the footbox. It was easy to sew that to the inside-out quilt. A draw-cord at the foot end would also work.

This winter I plan on doing a winter weight top quilt.

The Karo Step looks like about the most simple and efficient for the job that I have seen.

Anyone have any con's to the Karo design for a topquilt?

TZ

After using mine, I can't find any cons. One of the best parts, to me, is that you can shift the down to where you need it most. My feet get cold easily, so before I turn in I grab it at the top and give it a good shake to shift some extra down to the footbox. It stays put and doesn't shift during the night.

Link to mine.

TeeDee's instructions.

animalcontrol's.

One other thing I'll mention - if you can afford a few extra dollars, use the Momentum fabric from thru-hiker. It's much softer than regular ripstop and almost feels silky against the skin.

Jerry