Topic
Making an FKT-like quilt for my hammock, questions and advice
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Make Your Own Gear › Making an FKT-like quilt for my hammock, questions and advice
- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 6 months ago by
todd.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Aug 13, 2019 at 1:43 pm #3605881
Hi, long time lurker, first-time poster here!
I’m going to try to make an Apex quilt in about a week or so. I want to model it after the MLD FKT quilt with the variable temp ratings. I ordered 1 yd of 5.0oz Apex, and 2 yds of 3.6oz, as well as some 0.9 membrane 15 poly taffeta as the inner and outer, all this from RBTR. Here are some features I’m looking to include:
- Poncho-style head slot with KAM buttons or velcro
- Minimal pad attachment system, preferably with removable hardware to prevent tearing my 1.0oz MYOG Monolite hammock. Maybe one like the Katabatic system?
- Differential cut, not really sure how.
- Somehow, maybe a draft collar? Not really sure how, but it would be nice.
I’m 6′ and 185 lbs, and I’m not sure what size I should make this quilt, because the FKT is already pretty narrow, but hammock quilts are usually pretty narrow, so I guess I’m looking for advice on that. Really, if people have any ideas, advice, tutorials for different parts of this, or other quilts with features I might want, please, let me know! this would be my largest project, but I’m reasonably good at using my machine, a Kenmore 1941 I “borrowed” from my grandmother. Thanks!
Aug 13, 2019 at 6:07 pm #3605939Differential cut:
For a given girth, say 45″, model that as a circumference and than calculate the corresponding radius. So, 45/2pi = 7.16. Now add you loft to that and calculate your outer girth. 5oz Apex has a loft (I think) of 1.2″, so: (7.16+1.2)*2pi = 52.53″.
Say you want a 5″ gap between the edges of the quilt underneath you. Add that to the girth of your inner layer and repeat the above. Then calculate the ratio between outer and inner layer girths (aka circumferences). It should be > 1. Multiply the gap size by this and subtract the result from the calculated outer girth.
When you sew the inner and outer layers together at the head and foot seams, you’ll have to fold/pleat/gather the outer layer a bit to get it’s length to match the inner layer’s length.
A simple approach to a draft collar is just add 3″ to your total length beyond the draw string at the neck. Works reasonably well for the effort to make it.
For the poncho slot, you need vertical walls inside the slot (like baffles in a down quilt) so you don’t compress the insulation, and you want a flap to seal the outer layer from drafts when you’re sleeping. Velcro will seal better than snaps, but it has a scratchy side you don’t want against your skin. Omni tape addresses this but I can’t speak from experience. Take a close look at how others have done this.
Good luck! Share pics and spec’s when it’s done!
Aug 13, 2019 at 6:58 pm #3605947Thanks for the advice, especially actual math I can calculate instead of just rule of thumbs. Cheers!
Aug 18, 2019 at 3:20 am #3606546Omni Tape is definitely more comfy (& is tolerable) than Velcro. Snaps will work if you add extra material to roll up on both sides of the slit. Seems complicated though.
I wouldn’t bother with differentials on a synthetic quilt this thin. Just my 2cents though. Just add a little extra to both layers of material and call it a day.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
LAST CALL (Sale Ends Feb 24) - Hyperlite Mountain Gear's Biggest Sale of the Year.
All DCF shelters, packs, premium quilts, and accessories are on sale.
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.