My (first) modified sleeping bag underquilt. Also question about suspension

**modhammock** · 05-20-2011, 13:56

So I tested out the underquilt I made last weekend. Definitely long enough. Could stand to be a bit wider but it will do. The issue I had was suspending/attaching it. The shockcord just seemed to stretch and stretch and it was hard to get it snug against the hammock. I used pretty thin shockcord, could that be the issue? Any ideas on how to salvage without remaking? Thanks!

We mostly car camp at this point and I didn't want to sink a lot of $ into the test quilts. I might try down next but for now, this will work.

**Bubba** · 05-20-2011, 14:20

Looks good! Some heavier duty shock cord would help I think. When the UQ is set up, it should lift up the hammock when you are not in it so it'll be snug when you are in it.
Maybe consider a structural ridgeline and then sew some shock cord more towards the middle of the UQ to loop over the ridgeline similar to the triangle thingies AHE sells. Because of the length of your UQ it will help keep it snug against you by puling it up more vertical rather than horizontal.

**bigbamaguy** · 05-20-2011, 14:30

If you dont want to go to the expense of more shock cord try doubling up the cord you already have in the suspension.

**modhammock** · 05-20-2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by Bubba

Looks good! Some heavier duty shock cord would help I think. When the UQ is set up, it should lift up the hammock when you are not in it so it'll be snug when you are in it.
Maybe consider a structural ridgeline and then sew some shock cord more towards the middle of the UQ to loop over the ridgeline similar to the triangle thingies AHE sells. Because of the length of your UQ it will help keep it snug against you by puling it up more vertical rather than horizontal.

Oh perfect idea. I do have a structural ridgeline that I can use, I just hadn't put it up for that pic since I wasn't sleeping but was just lounging.

**Bubba** · 05-20-2011, 16:11

Another thing I noticed. The ends of your UQ are secured together over the hammock (by your head and at your feet). I'm wondering if that is preventing you from getting a more diagonal lay. Just a thought.

**Overgrown** · 05-20-2011, 16:18

I can't help but notice how much it looks like a hotdog bun... Great now im hungry

did you in any way attach to your guy lines, meaning how do you keep it from gravity slideing?

**modhammock** · 05-20-2011, 16:40

the wrapping around the hammock was definitely keeping me from getting a more diagonal lay but it was the only way I could get it snugged up. I started by trying to attach the underquilt to the hammock suspension only but was unsuccessful. The wrapping the shock cord around was a sort of jury-rigging solution to see if I would feel warm once I figured out how to get it snug. (I did)

**modhammock** · 05-20-2011, 16:41

I don't think I have guylines

**G.L.P.** · 05-20-2011, 18:09

i think you did a really good job... looks solid and warm

**JohnSawyer** · 05-20-2011, 19:10

I found that I could use a fixed line at one end and either a long bungee cord at the other, or doubled (even quadrupled) shock cord at the other...

Looks warm!