UQ Thoughts and Questions...

[alex30808]

I have given thought to re-vamping a super warm sleeping bag into a DIY quilt. I've looked at the KA quilt design and that's all...I've not seen any other design ideas or DIY prints on how to make an UQ. My question is are most commercially avaliable UQ's square or do they have the "tapered" look? I realy like using my "Poncho Pod" but would like to have something that will take me down to lower temps and something that "Fits" the hammock.

I had given thought to makeing the quilt 54" wide and 72" - 78" long. Putting a draw cord on each end with a tab on each corner for suspension. Any thoughts?

[Schneiderlein]

Alex, if this is your first DIY sewing project, I would stick with the rectangular quilt. I have not seen any plans for a DIY form-fitting quilt, and they are quite complex to design and build.

Depending on how big you are, the 54" width will also let you use the quilt as a top quilt on the ground. I have found 48" too narrow. In a hammock, I think I could get away with 42" as a top and under quilt. Depending on how tall you are, 72"-78" might be a little short. I made my second quilt 10" longer than I am tall, and I am much happier with it.

If it strictly an under quilt, you can make it both narrower and shorter. A lot of people seem to like 1/2 or 3/4 under quilts these days, myself included.

There are some good instructions for making a down under quilt here.

Good luck with the project, I am sure it will turn out great.

[Shug]

[QUOTE]

I have given thought to re-vamping a super warm sleeping bag into a DIY quilt. I've looked at the KA quilt design and that's all...I've not seen any other design ideas or DIY prints on how to make an UQ. My question is are most commercially avaliable UQ's square or do they have the "tapered" look? I
/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]

Alex, if this is your first DIY sewing project, I would stick with the rectangular quilt. I have not seen any plans for a DIY form-fitting quilt, and they are quite complex to design and build.
/QUOTE]

Hey Alex,
Here is link to a tapered UQ from Thru Hiker.http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp?subcat=5&cid=72 I used this idea to make one for my winter UQ.
winter-uq.jpg
Worked great! The channel that holds elastic to "snug" the UQ to your bottom is terrific. Make sure to sew it on before adding the baffles as then it gets a bit trickier to attach. The instructions are vauge in places so go to another set of directions to see how to insert baffles. Just Jeffs site has good info for stuffing down. Have fun.
Shug of the Shapers

[NCPatrick]

I'd start with something simple. I used a pattern like the JRB quilts, rectangles. There's a good tutorial on a basic UQ that HC4U put up when he created a multiquilt.

I've used this basic pattern to make a climashield XP quilt and it worked fine.

For down quilts, there are a lot of tutorial type posts right here on HF, like the RRG quilt linked to above, and Arkwater had a good one too.

[Dutch]

I have been in an UQ making frenzy for some reason. If it is strictly an under quilt I would suggest differential baffles. I only just learned of the concept. Of course that means you aren't just cutting down a larger sleeping bad.

If that is your intent to just cut down an existing bag I made my first UQ that way. I don't think shaping it is too tough at all. Just lay it out and mark with disappearing ink the shape you want. then just sew those lines. Cut around what you have sewn giving yourself 2-3 inch seam allowence. Then roll hem or you could use gross grain. 54 inches seems wide to me but you would have to be the one to carry it. Have fun with it.

[Splinter]

Alex30808, did you ever complete your project? If so, how did it work. I am thinking about doing the same thing with an older (approx 5 years) sleeping bag. Just wondering if it had worked?

[fin]

Alex30808, did you ever complete your project? If so, how did it work. I am thinking about doing the same thing with an older (approx 5 years) sleeping bag. Just wondering if it had worked?

Splinter, welcome to the forums.

Search the gallery for pics on sleeping bag mods. Here is one Green Therapy posted:

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=2893&c=searchresults&searchid=5703

Also, look at Skinner's mod here:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4569

[Splinter]

I think Skinners' mod is really close to what I have in mind. I like the idea of the seperate lines, seems kinda cumberson when setting up. I'm also trying to decide if 1/2 UQ or full length.