Ray-Way Quilt coming along…Mother’s Day Project

[Bryce]

I'm very new to camping/hiking (other than car camping) but got hooked on some of Ray Jardine's designs for ultralight hiking/camping while being cost efficient. I purchased a quilt kit, tarp-tent, net-tent and had it all shipped to my parent's house.

My mother is an incredible quilter and I knew I'd need her help in interpreting the instructions and actually putting the items together. We actually did this on Mother's day…a little bonding is always a good present. :)

We decided to start with the quilt, figuring it would be easier…not so sure after the fact knowing how thick that batting was (I ordered the alpine upgrade) and sewing all three layers together. Here are some pics from our progress:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/IMG_2156.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/IMG_2155.jpg

In the middle of construction we took a break. My Mother wanted a ride on my new bike, so who am I to deny her? :p

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b50/bster13/IMG_2153.jpg (I love to camp while on long motorcycle trips!)

We finished most everything, including the gorget and draft stopper. Our progress was halted at the end because we did not have a needle large enough to accommodate the thick yarn that holds the insulation in place. Once that is complete we just need to sew up the footbox, not a big deal. In the end there were some steps that I thought could be better described. Especially making some of the cuts or laying out the two layers of rip-stop and the insulation in between. It's much easier to work with the rip-stop separately from the thick batting, then once you have the rip-stop cut out lay the battering under it and use the rip-stop as a cutting template, rather than trying to cut all three layers at once. We also gave a 1 inch allowance for the amount of batting needed (the instructions have you take specific measurements for the length and width considering your height/girth) and then trimmed the excess before we starting sewing it all together. In the end, we figured everything out, and the instructions were good. The thread I purchased from Ray-Way.com was a good buy as well, as my mother compared it to some thread she had that she thought was strong and the Ray-Way thread was superior, good to know it wasn't some marketing BS. :p

We anticipate the tent projects to be even easier without having to work with the insulation and thus far (with my mother's sewing technique and ray-way design & materials) the quiet looks very professional. :)

I'll post more pics as we make more progress.

Bryce

[Douglas Frick]

That looks great. I bought the same kits plus the Bomber Hat (1.0 oz finished weight). I added the Extra Layer 3D to my quilt and I've been comfortable in it at -10F over full clothing. I liked being able to size the quilt as I desired. The only drawback is that my quilt is overkill for above-freezing weather and I should probably make a normal/alpine quilt for warmer weather.

I have yet to make my tarp and net-tent. The instructions look easy enough, but I just haven't found the time.

[Bryce]

Very nice Doug. I was wondering how true their temperature ratings were. I selected the Alpine upgrade, and they state that is good to 28f. What do they rate your quiet good down to as compared to what you were actually comfortable sleeping in? How long have u had it? How has it help up?

[Douglas Frick]

The Ray-Way Quilt page says a single layer (0.75") quilt would be good to +70F, a regular quilt (two layers of 0.75") is good to +40*F, the Alpine upgrade (two layers of 0.9") is good to +28*F, and adding an Extra Layer 3D (0.75") to the regular two 0.75" layers is good to +10*F (this is what I have). I've used mine as a top quilt at -20*F in a hammock but I wouldn't call it comfortable. I measured the temp inside the hammock to be below 0*F, but it was probably colder when the wind was blowing. Ray and Jennie used their 2-person Alpine upgrade on their Greenland and Antarctic trips where the temps were down to -30F, although it was much warmer (around freezing) in their tent.

I made my quilt three years ago and I've used it about 20 times. I haven't noticed much degradation in the loft; it's a bit hard to measure, though. It doesn't show any sign of wear. (I use a Jacks R Better Nest down quilt for freezing and warmer weather.)

Here are a few threads from BPL with much more discussion on loft, fill, compression and temperature ratings. I don't pay much attention to the theory–I just go out and test my gear (safely).

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/7072/index.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/5625/index.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/5533/index.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_post/632/17861/forums/thread_display.html

[aaron mount]

Have you weighed your finished quilt?
Wondering what the deluxe quilt w/ alpine upgrade wieghs.

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