I have homemade gear fever, and I haven't even made anything yet! It all started when I was going over how much it would cost me to get a JRB 3 season set for my hammock. Being a college student without much a an expendable income, I just couldn't bring my self to drop $450 on two quilts (even thought that is a steal for two down quilts). So the idea started running through my head about making my own quilts. It didn't sound too hard (my mom is quite a seamstress), and I would be getting pretty much the same product. I got on to thru-hiker.com to get an idea of how much supplies would cost me, and I came to the figure of about $300 for 2 quilts. But it wasn't long after search though thu-hiker.com that I began seeing other projects that I could do. So I made a list of th projects I will be attempting (with the help of my dear mother) once my final exams are over.

Jeremy Padgett's Down Quilt kit from thru-hiker.com - I would use this as my top quilt in my hammock.
An underquilt based on the JRB No Sniveler design - a great design, underquilt, poncho, normal quilt
The Minima Vest from thu-hiker.com - I am a fan of vests, and I could use a light wieght insulating layer.
SilNyl Stuff sacks - I might even attempt somthing similar to JRB's compression designWhile planning/fantasizing about the future projects, I have also made a list of questions that I would like answered.

Should I get the 800+ down from thru-hiker.com or the 900 down from Ed Speer?
What does the No Sniveler use for the draw cord at the foot box and where do I get Omni tape?
Would it be smarter to ditch the quilt kit from thru-hiker.com and just make two rectangular quilts? I am sceptical if an Omni tape foot box will hold together through the night as I move around alot while I sleep, hence the move toward Jeremy's design.
Are there any patterns/instructions for quilts online?
Am I crazy?I have read most of the threads on WhiteBlaze pertaining to quilt building, any links I could get to from Just Jeff's site (one of my favorite sites), and the articles on thru-hiker.com. Thanks for any feedback!

Mother's Day will soon be here. You have big plans for homemade gear requiring an "expert seamstress" and expect to realize a sizable cash savings if your projects are successful.

Think about it. :D Aren't Moms great?

Think about it. :D Aren't Moms great?
You said it! I haven't forgot about Mother's Day either. Maybe some of my saving can go to getting her a nice gift? :-?

1. Whichever is cheaper. I do not believe there is actually any difference between the two...just different ways of calculating the fill power - the old way and the new way just adopted by the feds - which overestimates the fill power. In any case, calculate for 800 cu.in. fill.
2. If you use elastic for the draw cord, you can use it to suspend the under-quilt without stressing the seams. Omni tape is available at most retail fabric stores such as JoAnnes on the Velcro rack. It is not called Omni tape there - be sure to buy enough for both sides.
3. The thru-hiker quilt is lighter for what it does than the rectangular quilt. In fact, you can save weight by making two of the thruhiker quilts and dedicating one to service as an underquilt.
Omni tape is not as strong as regular velcro. But Jeremy's foot box reduces the utility of the quilt. Consider using regular Velcro to close the foot - as on a Ray Jardine quilt (substituting velcro for the zipper). To make the foot more secure, add a button or snap at the end.
4. http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
http://www.kickassquilts.com/MakeIntro.html
And, of course, Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine.
5. Nope. Go for it.


Here is a trick you might want to use to make hanging the underquilt and arranging a sleeping pad much easier: take a rectangle of light fabric (I used 0.6 oz. polyester taffeta lining material.) 4x6.5 feet, fold a few inches over at each corner, then stitch drawstring casings at the ends and edges - by simply folding the fabric over into wide hems. 3/8" elastic goes into the casings, stitched in place in the end casings so about 18 inches in the center of each end casing does not scrunch. I open the hems on the sides 2 feet toward the center and let the elastic out there and install a simple plastic slider on each of the 4 elastic lines where they exit the casings (2 feet down the sides)(bar tack on each side of the elastic opening.) You could use cord locks instead of sliders. The loops of elastic at each corner then attach to a single mitten hook at each end of the hammock to make this rig into a sub-hammock or sling under the main hammock. Leave enough elastic to adjust it to be firm but not breaking-tight when you get into the hammock. The sub-hammock holds the sleeping pad when the weather is not too cool and the underquilt when it gets colder. No more squirming around trying to get the pad under the cold spots. The sub-hammock weighs 5.5 ounces.

Tthe rig I use for cold weather: hammock, sub-hammock, thin sleeping pad (also pack liner), under quilt, top quilt, cape/tarp. I usually start using the underquilt below around 45F to 50F. In warmer weather, the sub-hammock holds the sleeping pad where I want it.

Should I get the 800+ down from thru-hiker.com or the 900 down from Ed Speer?
What does the No Sniveler use for the draw cord at the foot box and where do I get Omni tape?
Would it be smarter to ditch the quilt kit from thru-hiker.com and just make two rectangular quilts? I am sceptical if an Omni tape foot box will hold together through the night as I move around alot while I sleep, hence the move toward Jeremy's design.
Are there any patterns/instructions for quilts online?
Am I crazy?1 - http://www.hungariangoosedown.com/ has 2.2 POUNDS of 750fp for $138. Might be worth the ounce you might save on the quilt.

2 - Omni tape is also known as "No Snag" velcro. JRB uses 550 cord (parachute cord) for the drawstrings.

3 - The omni tape holds well enough for a night's sleep. I move around quite a bit, and the footbox opens just a bit but is still formed by the morning...works fine. I like leaving the underquilt attached and using the top quilt as the poncho. If you want to save weight, you might consider making the thru-hiker underquilt with a rectangular NS-style top quilt, so you don't have to unhook your underquilt every time you want to wear it.

4 - There are a handful of synthetic models, but not many down models. Backpackinglight.com just had instructions for converting a down bag into an Arc-style top quilt. Might be worth looking at if you already have a down bag or can get one for cheap.

5 - Yes. :welcome