DIY TQ Sewn Footbox Help

[Mescudi]

I'm getting ready to start my third TQ but the first with a sewn footbox. I have searched thoroughly and could've missed it but I can't seem to find any kind of specific instructions on how to accomplish this. I've read the thru-hiker DIY down TQ guide but I'm not really clear on their instructions for the footbox. So here are my questions:

1. How/what do I measure to figure out the dimensions of the footbox?

2. I plan on putting one baffle in it but how do I determine how much down to put into the two chambers?

3. What is the best/easiest way to then attach the bottom of the footbox? Do I sew the 18 or so inches up the TQ first and then attach the bottom or do I attach the bottom first and then sew up the TQ?

4. Finally, I plan on putting one of those little triangles at the top of the footbox behind my knees (sorry I forget what they are called). Any tips for that?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[XTrekker]

I'm getting ready to start my third TQ but the first with a sewn footbox. I have searched thoroughly and could've missed it but I can't seem to find any kind of specific instructions on how to accomplish this. I've read the thru-hiker DIY down TQ guide but I'm not really clear on their instructions for the footbox. So here are my questions:

1. How/what do I measure to figure out the dimensions of the footbox?

2. I plan on putting one baffle in it but how do I determine how much down to put into the two chambers?

3. What is the best/easiest way to then attach the bottom of the footbox? Do I sew the 18 or so inches up the TQ first and then attach the bottom or do I attach the bottom first and then sew up the TQ?

4. Finally, I plan on putting one of those little triangles at the top of the footbox behind my knees (sorry I forget what they are called). Any tips for that?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Hope this helps out. I happen to have my camera already out shooting footage for my DIY Backpack Video Series so I went ahead and shot some footage of me explaining how I made my footbox. If you still have any questions let me know and I will help ya out best I can.

One thing to add that I didnt mention in the video is to complete the foot box as if it were its own sealed off compartment then attach it to the top quilt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qefT2cH-Fzo

[Mescudi]

Thank you so much! Your videos and insight are amazing! That helped a ton. If I run into any snags I will be sure to give you a shout. Thanks again!

[Mundele]

I'm assuming you made the rectangular footbox "plug", stuffed it with down, then sewed it in?

[VictoriaGuy]

Mescudi-
You are in TN, so I'm assuming you don't need a 'winter' TQ?
If you did need something really warm, you'd probably want to avoid the sewn-through style footbox - look at a good winter sleeping bag to see the difference. It IS quite a lot more work to avoid that sewn through seam, and not worth the trouble IMO for a TQ.

[Boots13]

Mescudi-
You are in TN, so I'm assuming you don't need a 'winter' TQ?
If you did need something really warm, you'd probably want to avoid the sewn-through style footbox - look at a good winter sleeping bag to see the difference. It IS quite a lot more work to avoid that sewn through seam, and not worth the trouble IMO for a TQ.

Is there a guide showing how this is done?

[VictoriaGuy]

Is there a guide showing how this is done?

As far as I know, most of the TQ instructions show the sewn-through seam.
My knowledge of baffled down construction mostly dates from years ago - 'helping' - aka watching - my wife put together a pair of Frostline down sleeping bag kits.

[sunkmail]

Is there a guide showing how this is done?

Try a search in the UQ threads - I don't remember where, but there are a few drawings of how to do it.


In words:

Attach all baffles to one side of the fabric

Roll (or bunch) up the other fabric (the one without baffels), and place the roll up against the upright part of your injector.

Pull your starting edge under the foot, inside-up. (if you have foot and head ends difference lengths, make sure you know which is which!)

Align the baffled side to the left of the injector, baffles up.

Align the first baffle from the baffled side to the first baffle position on the un-baffled side. Inject.

Pull the newly joined portion to your left, to the next baffle position (on the un-baffled side).

Align the next baffle from the baffled side. inject

Repeat as needed.

hope that helps