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Discussion about making bushwalking-related equipment.
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Pattern recommendations for UL down quilt/ sleeping bag pls

Sun 11 May, 2025 2:40 pm

I've posted a Wanted To buy in the market place though don't have high hopes, so am also looking into patterns/ instructions for making my own. I'm alright on my sewing machine and making things. There's a lot of youtube vids and websites with UL quilt/ sleeping bag patterns, so I'd like to get recommendations from people who have actually made them or know the designer/ maker has a good reputation.
Thanks in advance!

Re: Pattern recommendations for UL down quilt/ sleeping bag

Mon 12 May, 2025 11:06 pm

I am very happy with my light weight quilt
I used this design from the backpackinglight forums with bug net baffles
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Re: Pattern recommendations for UL down quilt/ sleeping bag

Tue 13 May, 2025 10:22 am

I'm pretty good with a sewing machine but I've not the patience to work with down and baffles. My experience with UL fabrics tells me you need to set-up a dedicated and well tuned machine to get the best out of sub-1ounce fabrics.
You'd need to provide full details about your needs, including age because that has a bearing on metabolism [ mine has fallen a lot over the last 2 decades] and your experience with handling cold and whether or not you are going to include high loft clothing as part of your sleeping system and your budget because high fill power down is becoming very expensive lately.
Your needs would include your expected lowest temperature and what safety margin you would need, which depends on clothing worn. If you are going to use clothing the bag needs to be substantially bigger all around and comes with a weight penalty, how much zipper you want or need as zippers add complexity and extra weight but are a bonus where versatility is concerned.

Re: Pattern recommendations for UL down quilt/ sleeping bag

Wed 14 May, 2025 12:50 pm

I've made several down quilts for myself and family members.
The last quilt used the pattern shown by Rider and I enclosed the bottom section and made a box foot.
The thing I noticed when sewing a quilt that you need to have extra allowance for the width or length depending on whether the baffles are vertical or horizontal. UL fabric comes in 152cm width so that constrains the width, so you get a wider quilt with vertical baffles.
You need to workout the warmth required and buy the down, the baffle height is defined by the warmth required. Better to slightly overfill than underfill as if the baffles are too high for the amount of down in them it will be alot colder than its rating.

hope this helps
Bron

Re: Pattern recommendations for UL down quilt/ sleeping bag

Wed 14 May, 2025 7:57 pm

Flipping heck it sounds technical!

@Bron, great advice about the baffles! Can you let me know what material you used and where you brought it?

@Moondog55 i hope to do some camping in the Blue Mountains this winter and walk the Kepler track in Sth Island of NZ this - I understand both would drop to 0celsius.
I feel the cold and am 53, so yes, may feel the cold more now. I read a past post of yours about sleeping bags (while trying to figure out what rating I should go for. I also enjoyed the debate over whether more space in the bag effects its warmth :)) where you listed the layers you wear. I've previously worn layers of merino thermals, fleece, woollen hat and socks, but thought I'd at least add a uniqlo UL down jacket after reading you use one.
I'd prefer not to spend more than $150 on making it, but still trying to work out
Based on the info in that other thread I mentioned, if I buy one I think I should go for -5 to -10 rating... but happy to hear others opinions!
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