Quilt sizing question

[Tobias E]

Hello everyone!

The MYOG bug found me a couple of months ago, and after a couple of stints with hammocks and tarps, here I am now trying to figure out how to make my own karo step top quilt :-).

My question is regarding quilt sizing. It seems like I will lose quite a lot of length of the quilt after stuffing, and I’m trying to figure out what a good shell length would be.

I’m 6’1 (186cm) and I’m shooting for a ~20 degree quilt. I was thinking to do roughly 2 inch baffles and my original plan was to do a shell length of 76″, but I’m thinking that might be a bit too short?

Does anyone know a good shell length for a person my size?

All the best,
-Tobias

 

Crappy, work-in-progress sketch attached

[John Klinepeter]

My guess is that a finished length of 78 inches would be better based on my 5′ 11″ height and using an EE Karo quilt of 76″ length (my measurement while holding the quilt somewhat tautly).

I will now bore you with some information you did not ask about. My quilt is a 30 degree model and came from EE with one ounce of down overstuffing. It always bothered me that the down would not stay in place near my shoulders, i.e., it would fall to the sides and my shoulders would become cold. Eventually I ripped open a seam and added one more ounce of down. Shoulders were still cold. Last fall I ripped the seam one more time and added 2.6 ounces more down. I have not yet given it a field test but from tests at home I think the sweet spot has been reached. The quilt now weighs 22 ounces and is probably going to be a solid performer at 20 degrees. Measured loft is about 3″, less at the seams.

Edit: total amount of added down.

[John Klinepeter]

Probably the best(?) link that talks about cutting shell materials to size is the information presented by Jamie Shortt on page two of a thread titled “M50 TOPBAG FINISHED” started by Matt F on January 14, 2011. Sorry, I don’t even try to post links anymore. It’s easy to find with a search.

[Ken Thompson]

Here is the link John

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/41535/page/2/#comments

[Lance M]

Don’t forget length used to cinch up the foot box, toe extension, loft and to cinch up around your neck.

Here’s an estimate for your height:  73″ height, less 10-12″ = 61-63″ height to shoulders.  Add 4-6″ for cinching up the footbox, 3″ for toe extension, 2″ for footbox loft, 8-10″ to cinch above your shoulders, 2″ for loft at your shoulders equals quilt shell length of 82-84″ for your height.

This might be generous by a few inches, but you’ll have a cozy neck closure and fewer cold spots at your toes (been there, done that).  It’s in line with Enlightened Equipment’s quilt sizing guide.

Hope this help!,

-Lance

 

[Tobias E]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I forgot to mention that I’m probably going to try to make a sewn-in footbox, which should help on the foot-end of things. I’ll add a couple of inches and get back to you :).

That M50 quilt is an absolute beauty!

Have a great weekend everyone!
– Tobias

[Bill Giles]

I made one shaped similarly, but 80″ long. I found that, once the toe box was cinched up, it was shorter than I would have liked it to be. I made a second one that was 86″ long and like it much better. I’m 6’0 and used Climashield 5.0 insulation. You won’t really know what you like until you make one and try it out. You can always cut it down, but it’s not easy to add on.

[Tobias E]

Was it OK un-cinched? I was thinking about going for an 80″ shell-length with a sewn in foot box..

[Bill Giles]

I could use the 80″ long quilt, but I preferred a longer one. Cinching the footbox does make it seem shorter. I sewed union tape up the taper on both sides so that I could completely enclose my lower legs. My taper was 40″ long.

[Tobias E]

Ok, I’ve made some changes to the design. Thinking about adding another inch on each side, making the total width 58″. I’m hoping that an 80″ height + sewn in footbox (ala dubber) should give me enough length?

Have a great day everyone!
– Tobias

[Todd Stough]

The loss in length due to loft is going to be minimal.   I made mine 78″, sewn foot box and I’m 5’11”, I wanted to be able to pull it over my head and I can, it works well.

 

If you take your height, plus a few inches to accommodate wrapping over your head you should be fine.  Doesn’t really hurt to make it slightly longer than you think you need.

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