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quilt sizes…
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Oct 24, 2009 at 2:24 am #1240531
I'm getting the excellent Tim Marshall to build me a quilt, and I'm trying to work out the best of the various options he's given me, and I'd like to get some opinions as I've never used a quilt before.
If you take your torso circumference as a starting point (measuring over the arms,) how much extra do quilt users normally like above that?Oct 24, 2009 at 6:04 am #1539257From my own experience, you are asking a key question about quilt making….how wide should it be?
The width is determined by the width of your fabric which might be anywhere between 54" to 60". This might mean you need to add on extra material to the edges of your quilt to get the proper width. These added edges do not have to be insulated. They can just be a single piece of fabric whose function it is to stay flat on the ground as you lie under the quilt to sleep, or to be pulled or tucked underneath you.
Next, keep in mind that the widest part of the quilt will be at the top and your shoulder area, then it can taper down to your hips and legs.
So, now how do you find the width for your body? First just do some trial and error. If you have a sleeping bag, unzip it as far as you can and lay it over you on the floor as if it were a quilt. When you roll over do the edges come off the ground? Is there enough bag to your sides so that you can pull it underneath you as you lie on your stomach? When you lie on your side, shoulder up, do the edges of the bag reach the ground? If you do not have a sleeping bag try a blanket.
You are trying to figure out if there are draft spots left open around you.
Okay: Here is a "formula" as written by Ray Jardin for his quilts:
"Lie on the floor, comfortably on your side. Have someone measure your floor to floor girth at the shoulder area, which is the distance around you from floor to floor. Use a flexible measuring tape. Or use a string and measure its length. To this measurement add 12 inches for floor coverage and 2 inches for seam allowance."Girth plus 12, plus 2 equals width.
You could be the size that means you do not have to add a width wider than the fabric. eg. 54" or 48" etc.
If in doubt make it wider you can always cut off excess later. Remember if your quilt is not wide enough you will get drafts…brrr.
Here is a nice pattern: (from the famous Neatoman)
http://home.comcast.net/~neatoman/quilt.htm
Watch this video:
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:39 am #1539260I measure a tad over 42" around the shoulders and my quilts are mostly 48" at the top tapering to 36" at the bottom.
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:05 am #1539262I measure 51" around my shoulders. My 55" wide Arc Specialist fits me perfectly. I'm a side sleeper, and 55" gives me enough tuck. I wouldn't go narrower than 55" for myself.
Oct 24, 2009 at 11:21 am #1539301thanks guys, you are all confirming what my gut was telling me. I've always used bags with zips, never used the zips and wrapped the bag around me. BUT if youlike at the MLD quilts and also the vid on Tim's site,http://tmoutdoors.webs.com/wlq.htm another way is to have the quilt smaller than your torso. As a side sleeper, I'm not sure that would work for me
Oct 24, 2009 at 1:20 pm #1539320I have a JRB No Sniveller at 48" width and, despite what the BPL review says, I find it is too narrow for side sleeping. I am 6 foot and about 154 lbs. Don't go to narrow just to save a few ounces.
Oct 24, 2009 at 3:29 pm #1539339There seems to be a huge difference in width required between those who side sleep vs. those who sleep on their back. I guess that's not surprising, but it should make a difference in the size you order.
I also just ordered a quilt from Tim yesterday (hopefully got in line in front of you!) and I went with 49 inches at the top and I measure 49" around the shoulders.
I'm pretty confident this will work because I sleep on my back and the BPL quilts work for me (just barely) and they're only 47" across the top.
Oct 25, 2009 at 6:08 am #1539462Thanks for all the excellent advice. I've decided to go with
Half Taper
head foot length shell oz insul oz total
52 38 76 0.9 5 21.34For my 48" torso and UK size 10.5 shoe size
Oct 25, 2009 at 6:34 am #1539466When I was trying to see if my Arc AT was gonna work for me, I cut a piece of scrap material to the same size and tested it out for coverage.
I also had Tim make me a quilt. I'm 6'3" and 185 lbs and went with 46" Shoulder, 40" waist" 32" foot, with a 74" length. I think I'm used to my Arc AT, 'cause that seems to cover me fine.
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