First DIY TQ

**gunner76** · 07-04-2013, 19:19

Just finished making my first TQ. It will be a B'day present for the wife to use in her hammock.

I used Genuine United States Army 40 Denier Universal Nylon Ripstop Camouflage 1.6 ounces a square yard ACU Universal Camouflage and 30 Denier Ripstop Coyote Brown Pure Finish from Magna Fabrics.

Magna Fabrics has the lowest prices I have found for fabric but you usually have to buy 40 + yards to get the low pricing. If you plan to make lots of DIY stuff then its worth it.

Also used 2.5 oz yard Clamashield Apex insulation from Thru Hiker.

As I have never made a Top Quilt before I decided to start with one using synthetic insulation as I figured it would be easier than making one with down.

I rough cut the two layers of fabric for the shell and sewed three sides together to make it easier to mark out the final finished size on the shell It worked OK but I am getting too old to be crawling around on the floor marking sew lines and cutting. Definitively need a work table in the 4x8 ft size, a 6x8 ft would be better.

Cut and sewed the shell leaving the foot end opened and then laid the insulation on top and cut it out just on the large side.

I turned the shell over the insulation to sew thru. Once all three sides where sewed I turned the TQ inside out. I then sewed the foot box closed and trimmed the excess fabric, I used a left over piece of the Camo fabric to make a end channel which I then sewed to the foot end to hide the raw edge and to create a channel for a cord to create a foot box.

The finished product weights in at 24 oz.

Finished product is ok but lots of room for improvement on the sewing end

Total cost of material for project.......... (prices are with shipping)

Camo rip stop 3 yards at $0.74 a yard for $2.50

Coyote Tan rip stop 3 yards at $1.65 a yard for $4.95

Clamashield Apex insulation 6 yards for $70

One cord lock $0.05

Total cost of materials $77.50

**revbknox** · 07-04-2013, 21:24

Sweet looking top quilt. By the looks of it, I'd never guess it was your first

Love the camo too!

**wiscoman** · 07-04-2013, 21:54

Nice job! My cousin and I made a TQ and UQ with the 5.5 apex and it is some amazing stuff! We have pushed them to about 26-28 degrees. Hope you have great results also.

**old4hats** · 07-04-2013, 23:43

Good looking job my friend, I could be proud of that anywhere.

**gunner76** · 07-05-2013, 18:47

Since I did not take close ups you can not see the sewing Boo Boos.

Already planning my next TQ based on what I learned making this one.

Just need to find a cheaper source of Clamashield. That was the most expensive part of the project.

**mbiraman** · 07-05-2013, 22:15

Good looking quilt. She'll be warm in that. I just finished one myself.

bill

**gunner76** · 07-06-2013, 21:35

Trying to decide what to do with the left over scraps of material and it dawned on me...pillows, just finished one 18"x8" and 3.8 oz.; stuffed with the left over Clamashield. Perfect companion for the TQ

**Bubba** · 07-06-2013, 21:56

Looking good! Sewing boo boo's are not as important as it being functional. As long as your wife is warm, you had fun doing it and you are learning from the project so you can improve for the next project then that's what matters IMO.