MYOG Quilt

[Ultralite Hiker]

I am looking for good instructions on making a quilt for summer use. I will be using the thru-hiker kit, from which I heard comes with no instructions. I saw some instuctions on the site, but they are not very detailed. I also came across Roger Caffin's article, but was not really able to follow.

The closest thing I have found is this: http://www.lytw8.com/My_Gear.html#LytW8_Summer_Quilt with PDF instructions, but I would rather have a fully enclosed footbox.

Any other pattern ideas? I have seen lots of nice quilts. It does not seem to hard, but seeing as how I have never sewed anything, I would need some pretty clear step by step instructions.

[Ryan Smith]

Search around over at hammockforums.net. All kinds of how to threads with detailed instructions.

Ryan

[Zachary Eagle]

I have been searching for the same thing but I have yet to find it. Here are a couple of sites that I stumbled upon that give more instructions than the Thruhiker page.

http://home.comcast.net/~neatoman/quilt.htm#construction

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081202175810/http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/make-down-quilt/index.html
This site is essentially the thruhiker's instructions, but it has a diagram for the quilt. The diagram on this page makes the thruhikers directions a little more understandable for me.

[Ryan Smith]

These are a couple good threads to get you started. They have a whole section devoted to top quilts with a ton of info. I was just reading yesterday about sewn-in foot boxes which you mentioned.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8328
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4362

Ryan

[Jamie Shortt]

R H, Response to questions sent in a PM. Take a look at this thread. Mat did exactly what you are looking to do as a first project. His quilt came out great.

First_Quilt

Jamie

[John Donewar]

R H,

Did you see the instruction link on the Thru-Hiker web page?

Good luck with your quilt.

Party On,

Newton

[Ultralite Hiker]

I did see it, maybe that is a sign I should not attempt it? The instructions did not seem detailed enough for me to feel comfortable hacking away at 150 dollars worth of materials. Jamie's were much more detailed, but I was looking for a sewn footbox.

[Misfit Mystic]

Hi RH, you mentioned in your OP that you've never sewn anything. Is this true? If so, I admire your ambition, but a down quilt might not be the best place to start. I would try a few other projects to get my feet wet. I would start with a few stuffsacks, then try a bivy or a tarp, then try a couple uninsulated garments or a synthetic quilt. These would allow some sewing experience on projects where the financial costs of failure are much less severe. I have also found that as my experience increased, my understanding of some of the MYOG articles and commentary is much greater. When I first read Roger's MYOG articles I was stumped on a few things; after sewing a few simple projects I understood more complex concepts much better because my perspective had improved. I just needed the background experience so I could visualize what he was talking about.

[John Donewar]

R H,

Think of the foot box as two layers of material with some baffles sew in and filled with down. Picture a "pillow" of sorts. After the "pillow" is hemmed closed use it for the closed, sewn in foot box.

The dimensions of of your pillow around the outside hem will have to match your bottom hem on the quilt minus maybe 1/2" or so to allow for the foot end to be sewn shut.

When you sew the pillow in the quilt and the pillow will have their inside surfaces facing out. After sewing the quilt and foot box should simply be turned right side out.

On my synthetic quilt I accomplished this by using a round "pillow" to close in my foot box.

Take your time and don't rush. Think out each step and ask questions. Jamie's instructions are a great guide. Tim Marshall will also answer questions for MYOG types like us. He answered many for me. ;-)

Party On,

Newton

[Richard Seifert]

I am currently working on making myself a karo top quilt.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12770

So far my pattern dimensions are as follows.
L = 82"
HW = 54"
FW = 44

I am 6' and 250lbs. I am hoping that these dimensions are enough.

Got any input on this?

[Author]

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