Down Hood 3.0 – perfect edition

Looks great! I'd ask you to make me one, too, but I just got 2lbs of down that I need to put to use :)

Do you have any pointers or perhaps a pattern to share?

I used this as a general guide and the link to the pattern is there as well:

http://rob-thegreatoutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/10/make-your-own-down-balaclava.html?m=1

As the pattern is for a large hood, I believe I printed it at 85-90% and tweaked the pattern and transferred it to foam board (can use cardboard). The pattern is for a straight neck, so you can adjust the bottom accordingly to fit the shoulders, etc.

I sew mine differently from the way Rob does, since I do sewn thru baffles.

I sew each section (inner and outer) together separately, leaving an opening where the face drawcord will go, then flip it right side out, iron the seams flat, then stuff and sew thru the baffles. I then combine all the finished sections together then add the drawcord.

If you want one mouth section to overlap the other, just add an inch to the front/mouth part of one side.

When I cut my fabric, I fold the sheet of fabric over so I have 4 layers and cut all at once. Then I cut the long center strip and drawcord channel fabric. You can get almost two hoods from one yard of fabric ( won't have enough for the center strip and drawcord for the 2nd hood).

I find that the top of the face opening of the hood in the side pattern piece comes out/down too far so I've trimmed that back. I can send/post some pictures of what I changed on my pattern when I get home from work.

Thank You And E, I'm going to try and make one of these soon and was planning on asking you some of the same questions you just answered in this post. I like the idea of making it in 3 section like you are saying. A couple of things I'd like to do differently is put nylon snaps instead of velcro (I don't like velcro much myself). Also I'd like to extend the hood a bit more over my shoulders and upper back. Thanks again and I might be posting a few questions as I go if you don't mind. I've got some wilderness logics down, some nobul 10 (yes I know it leaks some down but it really isn't that bad IME) and the outside fabric I'll likely order.

Good luck to both of you!

Feel free to ask/PM me with any questions. Snaps sound like a very good idea. I'd try to use plastic snaps though, so that the cold metal won't freeze you where it makes contact.

Another tip I can offer is to cut the center strip longer than you think you'll need, for fudge factor, and when combining with the side pieces, start from the top/face then work your way back to the neck/back area, then you can shift the down away from the excess, cut/tuck/topstitch it shut.

Also, cut the drawcord piece longer than you'll need (I use a 1.25" wide strip, but I'd suggest starting out with 1.5-2" wide until you're comfortable sewing tight seam allowances). I fold over and sew .25" of the ends to hide the raw edge then fold .25" of the fabric along the whole length and iron flat (inside/cired touching inside/cired). Then I sew the raw edge of the drawcord strip to the raw edge of the face opening, with the strip on the outside, with outsides (non-cired/calendared) touching. Then, I fold over the strip to the inside and sew over the .25" fold I made earlier (thus housing the raw edge).

It's a little hard to visualize, but you'll be able to figure it out.

***MOST HELPFUL/USEFUL TIP: when starting/stopping a stitch, put a small piece of newspaper under the fabric (so the teeth at the bottom of the machine that move the fabric grips the news paper) and sew through that as well as the fabric. Since UL fabric is so light and thin, it has a tendency to get pushed into the machine and you'll get bunched up seams where you start/stop (especially when close to the edge of the fabric with tight seam allowances and corners). The newspaper prevents that, and you can just tear it off. News paper has a "grain", it'll tear more easily down one way vs the other, so make that grain/tear direction parallel to your seam direction and it'll be much easier to tear it away.

Thanks so much And E! Excellent pointers. I'm also thinking putting in a strip of (not at all sure what it's called) that lycra-like stretchy fabric you often see on puffy cuffs and sometimes in the hood area. I'm thinking of putting nylon snaps on the hood, have you or anyone else used nylon snaps? I'm curious about their durability and ease of replacement. Thank you again.

Haven't used nylon snaps in myog, but I have them on my Stoic Hadron Anorak, and they work just fine and seem durable enough.

As for the Lycra thing you're talking about, it's called binding or Fold Over Elastic (FOE). Using that would be a quick way to create a drawcord channel and a snug fit over the face all at once.

William, may I ask where you buy the nylon snaps? I've never been able to find them. Thanks.

Miguel, I haven't picked them up yet but I was thinking of something like this, http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121129521697?lpid=82

I was going to look at my local fabric store before I go the Ebay route though.

Great job, And E!

Yep, I am one of the lucky people to receive one of the down hoods that And E is making. He modified the design for my "mouth breather down hood". (I wish I could always breathe through my nose, but I get stuffy. Maybe some of you are in the same boat.)

I have never seen a down hood that incorporates a fleece breathing panel, and I think And E did a great job of it. He finished it in just a few days, shipped it out quickly, and the price was SUPER REASONABLE.

I put some photos up over on Hammock forums https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=88219

In really glad you like it! Thanks for the kind words and hope you get many nights of warm sleep with it!

Top-shelf work. Very inspiring.

Thanks Delmar! Now, I'll be busying myself with making one last hood (for now. will be out of down after making a hood for Reggie) and starting on my first backpack. Can't hardly wait for all my materials to arrive.

I'm really looking forward to getting the hood. AndE's been great to deal with!

I got one of Andy's hoods too. It is awesome. He sized it up a touch for my enormous melon – fits great. I can't wait to try it out with my quilt. He was great to deal with and the workmanship is professional looking.

The last hood AndE made from his left over down has arrived. It's flawless. It's an outstanding piece of gear. It's sized up just enough that I can wear a Merino/Alpaca cap from Kat. Love this thing AndE!!!

Great job.

Looking forward to seeing the progress on your pack.

Thanks guys! It was fun making all those hoods, lots of good sewing practice for making my pack.

I'm glad they all fit! I'll probably start making more sometime in the future.

Also, my pack is just about finished! Just gotta make the hip belt pockets.

AndE

Awesome looking hoods. What size (normal hat circumference) is your head? What temps do you expect to use it at (for sleeping)?

I'm interested if you do another batch in the future, especially if I can specify a bit less down, I'll probably run hot otherwise and sleeping I find I must turn enough in my sleep that most beanies, buffs, etc come off my head during the night. I want to be able to keep it on if possible.

I'll watch this thread…so if you make another batch let the thread know :-)

Cheers!

Hey Adam, I wear a 7 3/8 in New Era hats (the one I'm wearing says 58.7cm ), and my head is 22.75"

I do expect to start making some more hoods, but it won't be for a few months. I'm going on a week long trip to New Zealand at the end of March and getting married in May so really gotta reign in my expenses and save.

But, I may even start up after my New Zealand trip, you know, make a little extra $$ for the wedding.

Whatever I decide, I'll be sure to keep everyone in the know.