DIY Full-Length Underquilt: Step by Step

**Les Rust** · 10-27-2012, 20:52

Looking good, Hammock Monk. Keep after it.

**perrito** · 10-27-2012, 21:24

More pics dooood! Good luck!

**Redoleary** · 10-27-2012, 21:28

Keep up the good work. I'm following with interest. I need to get into the down quilt game, but suffer from analysis paralysis.

**FireInMyBones** · 10-28-2012, 10:39

I've just enjoyed a quick read of this thread. HammockMonk, you are knocking the planning out of the park. I'm sure you'll be happy with this. I do a lot of mental calculations and drawings on the back of napkins and the like around a month or two in advance as I'm not as skilled with Google Sketch Up. I like it. I'm looking forward to more pictures and explanations.

**Wolfman** · 10-28-2012, 12:18

Looking Great Monk, Keep it coming.

**hammock_monk** · 10-28-2012, 15:32

I've now got 5 baffles sewn onto the second layer. Hoping to finish them today but I promised to take my wife dancing.

Starting to wonder about the down-stuffing-process.

I've been taking pics along the way. Will post some shortly.

**Buzz** · 10-28-2012, 16:28

Nice work HM from a fellow hammocker in Eugene. I ordered some underquilt materials from DIY Gear Supply on Friday (everything but the down) and am excited/nervous to start my UQ project. I've never used a sewing machine before, so this will be interesting.
I will be keenly following your progress!

**CatSplat** · 10-29-2012, 12:13

Originally Posted by hammock_monk

CatSplat, I'm so glad you joined the discussion. I almost PM'd you yesterday to ask for your input. The accuracy of Sketch up is, I think, to the hundredth of an inch—more than adequate for my purposes. But, as you observe, the more critical element is the curve profile. You and Wolfman both note that the differences in the width of the outer fabric layer will depend entirely on the profile of the curve of the arc.

I love the direction this discussion has taken. I'm a bit of a math geek, though more on the drafting side than computation.

In any event, I am planning to approach the question from the opposite direction: I am going to use 6 inches as the width of the fabric for the outer layer of each chamber and let the curve profile take care of itself. I figured that each chamber will end up with somewhere between 2 3/4 and 3 1/4 inches of height. With 850fp down, I expect that will keep me comfortable down to 20° and maybe even the teens.

I'm more than happy to chat about it, the more folks stitching their own insulation, the better! It sounds like you have a good plan for construction, I think you'll find that the curve shape and chamber height will vary greatly between baffles when the UQ is hung, so as long as you have enough fabric to maintain loft when wrapped around the quilt, you're in good shape. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

**FireInMyBones** · 10-29-2012, 13:22

Originally Posted by hammock_monk

I've now got 5 baffles sewn onto the second layer. Hoping to finish them today but I promised to take my wife dancing.

Starting to wonder about the down-stuffing-process.

I've been taking pics along the way. Will post some shortly.

I'm not sure if you've seen the video by Fronkey on stuffing down, but it's now how I do it.

**FLScouthanger** · 10-29-2012, 16:05

Did I notice correctly that you are using the grosgrain with the reflective strip? What is the width of it? My experience with applying the grosgrain has been that it is much easier to work with I fold it in half (width-wise) and lightly press it.

Does anyone out there use a bias presser foot for applying it? Do they work?