My First DIY Down Project- Karo TQ

[joanwest]

Looking really good joanwest! I really enjoyed making my TQ! It looks like you got a keeper as well! I love making my own gear; it may not be as perfect as some of the cottage vender stuff, but I sure do feel proud when I use it

It helps too, with so much info on the forums. Standing on the experience of everyone else who has tried a project is a huge help.

Enjoy the warm!

Thanks, Arothian! Really was helped by your post on questions for your top quilt.

Ironically, even after reading your post, I did the same thing you did with making the baffles too tall, and it's not as puffy as I'd hoped. I'm not ready to add more down to fill it out yet until I try it a few times to see if there is too much shifting, since I'd really like to keep the overall weight low. Will see how it goes. But yes, even with mistakes, I'm really proud of it.

[oohsnap]

Great job.

[WV]

Was there a particular diagram, directions, video you felt help the most? There is so much information here that its diffcult to decide what is the best of breed.

Sorting through all the advice on HF was definitely the hardest and most time consuming part of this process for me as well. I ended up mostly following chickenwing's detailed instructions here, and his videos were really valuable for showing how to sew the baffles.

This thread was helpful for determining when to choose the karo design. This is good discussion of how to size the top quilt.

This is how to determine overstuff, and the google doc I used.

Fronkey's video was excellent for how to stuff the down.

I also posted a few more picts and details here.

Going on the group hang and also checking out the TQ of fellow hammock forum members was also key- I agree that it's hard to figure out just by reading cause I'm also a hands-on learner.

Great job on the quilt. It should serve you well. Also, fantastic job researching this project ahead of time and describing it once completed, both on the forum and in more detail on your blog. This thread is where I'd send people who are interested in making their own summer top quilts.

I look forward to your next project.

[Orion X]

Great job Joan! I knew it would turn out great

[joanwest]

This thread is where I'd send people who are interested in making their own summer top quilts.

Oh wow, thanks for the positive feedback. Glad this might be helpful to others.

Great job Joan! I knew it would turn out great

Really appreciate all your advice on this project!

[HappyHiker]

Nice!

[joanwest]

Just wanted to post an update in case anyone is looking at making a karo top quilt. I loved this quilt so much that I made another one- a winter version (19 oz total) using Argon fabric (nice soft stuff!) and DWR down.

Details of the new karo quilt are on my blog here. It's basically the same design but with 3 inch baffles and sewn footbox.