Top Quilt construction question.

**termite** · 01-07-2014, 13:34

I am planning the pattern for my synthetic (5.0 APEX/M90) top quilt and was wondering if anyone has had any luck with adding a little bit of bias to the underside of the the top quilt?

So if I was planning on a 48" top quilt the underside would be cut just a bit smaller on the sides like 47" to help the quilt drape over me when in my hammock?

I assume it is not needed but was wondering if anyone had done it in the past or if it is even worth the time?

**Junebugdawn** · 01-07-2014, 14:10

I made my first TQ this way, but used a 3" differential cut. I'm not sure it makes much difference and for the quilts I'm making now, I am not using a differential cut. However, I am making these wider and figured I could just tuck it in around me more so it wasn't needed anyway. My quilts are down, so I had to do a gather at each baffle for the differential cut. Hope your quilt turns out well.

**the_lorax** · 01-07-2014, 15:20

I did a differential cut on my Climashield TQs but I did it to preserve the loft not to help it drape over me. (Don't think the extra ~1.5inches would even offer much to drape anyway.)

Some TQs do have an extra strip of plain (uninsulated) fabric on the sides to give you a bit extra to tuck under you and prevent drafts without adding much extra bulk/weight.

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| Quilt body & insulation | fabric to tuck under you
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**Boston** · 01-07-2014, 15:32

If it's a dedicated top quilt there is no need for a differential cut.

If you want to make it able to convert into an underquilt it's a good idea.

**dangerous** · 01-07-2014, 15:42

yeah I don't think a differential cut is needed for a top quilt. here's mine that I just finished and it drapes and fits great in the hammock.

**The Old Boot** · 01-07-2014, 17:05

The sides of the hammock causes the TQ to drape nicely anyways as long as you make the quilt big enough to do the job in the first place.

I played with a throw on the sofa to figure out how big I needed my TQ to be. I wanted extra to snug around my neck because I like to kinda snuggle in and enough length that my toes could point down. I ended up making it 'my height plus a foot' long and the 'widest part of me plus a foot' wide! It works super well in the hammock and does a good job when I had to go to ground.

A differential on a climashield TQ would just complicate the sewing IMO.

**termite** · 01-07-2014, 22:18

Thanks for the input all!

I ended up going flat with no bias.

Just got finished cutting the rough patterns and ended up with 52"x84" with a taper starting about 50" down ending at 42" at the foot end.

Assuming everything works out the final dimensions should end up being 50X83X40.

**Floridahanger** · 01-07-2014, 22:32

So far, sounds like your on the right path.

Next, are you sewing the footbox or cinch/snaps to close and open the footbox?

I made my wife and myself a cinch/snaps footbox to open when in the house and close in the hammock. Makes it a little more versatile and can still be used as an UQ if needed.

**termite** · 01-07-2014, 23:23

I was planning on an omnitape/cinch foot box. I'll probably ad a drawstring to the head end as well.

**ieye360** · 01-08-2014, 06:22

Starting on my own UQ and TQ with Climashield 5.0 and Maxima ESD from DIYgearsupply. I will have a zippered footbox. It will be 84x58 roughly. Just a rectangle for the TQ is best and easiest. Whereas the UQ will have a slight differential (just a little bigger on one side). Good luck on your project.