Backpacking Quilt

I am looking into making my own ultralight backpacking quilt.  I was curious to see if any of you had any experience that you would want to share before I started (yes I have read around the internet on some other peoples advice as well)

Looking to figure out what size baffles/amount of fill I should be using for a quilt rated for 30-40 degrees (I am a very warm sleeper as well)

Any additional features I should add? And any recommended dimensions or how to figure exactly what size I should be shooting for.

Looking to use 850+ fill and probably Momentum 50 material on both the inside and outside.  

I can offer no direct advice but have seen quite a good posts on the subject over at www.hammockforums.net if you haven't checked them out yet.

Tulley,

You have an opportunity to collect down from old pillows or maybe someone's worn out sleeping bag.

Whomeworry has some down he is looking to donate to a worthy cause, you shou pk d send him a message.

There are a lot of posts on quilts on www.backpacking.net in their forums and probably also on www.backpackinglight.com (requires a paid subscription) or long distance hiking sites like www.whiteblaze.com

Also, if you want a kit, Ray Jardine, one of the gurus of UL hiking sells them on his site www.ray-way.com His use some sort of synthetic filler. He has detailed information on his quilt kits on his site.

jardines quilt kits are supposed to be pretty good.

Hey everyone! Thank you much for all the help and a few places to get looking, whiteblaze, ray-way, and hammockforums are all new to me and I am sure will keep my busy for a while :)

@ ppine I dont actually have too much old gear or pillows to gather from as of now, but I will keep my eyes open for some (I may end up finding some new as I would love for this to be pretty light (preferably 800 ish fill)

Here is a very good threadwith step by step instructions and pics on the subject from hammockforums.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1434

I'm pretty sure the down whome has is 650 but it is down nonetheless and if it doesn't cost you anything besides shipping, you'll have more money to spend on everyone's favorite thing. More gear!

@TheRambler, that thread on hammockforums is awesome! Tons of detail and very helpful in figuring out exactly what I need before I dive into this project.

As far as getting free down and spending money on new gear that is always good too! :)

I made a quilt from a kit I purchased on rayway. I really like it and I even use it at home with the heat way down. I would caution you against using down however, at least for your first time making something like this. Down is extremely difficult to work with and can be problematic depending on the fabric you use (the quills poke through very easily).

best of luck.

Maya, which one did you make? I know they have different thicknesses depending on how warm you want it to be.

I have looked at Ray's kits on his site, but am curious as to how they hold up under actual use. Ray says he took a quilt to Antarctica, but he and his wife were also wearing full insulated suits all the time at night from what I recall reading on his website.

Are the R May quilts sewn thru or do they have baffles?

Misc stuff...

Have fun..

In moderate temperatures generally above 32 they will work fine for adults.  Best thing is a draft hood (I've misplaced those

instructions), and an extension out to the sides (Jardine has it) to keep the edges/ends from flapping in the breeze.

You might try this especially the thru hiker kits.

Quilt instructions/kit
http://thru-hiker.com/projects/down_quilt.php
http://nunatakusa.com/site07/other_bags/bcb.htm
http://www.questoutfitters.com/

back ground
http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_Back_Country_Blanket.htm
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/index.htm
http://www.questoutfitters.com/
http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/forums/index.php
http://www.noahlamport.com/
http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.....RIPSTOP
http://www.therainshed.com/
http://www.thru-hiker.com/quilt_kit.html
http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp?subcat=5&cid=71
http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp?subcat=5&cid=6
http://www.noahlamport.com/
http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/forums/index.php
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm
http://www.thru-hiker.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MG115
http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.....RIPSTOP
http://www.noahlamport.com/tent_balloon.htm
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GARymjolBks&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DprqxvHHLy4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPjy99hAtMs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWskJ0gebo8&feature=related
http://www.owfinc.com/
http://thegpsgeek.com/blog/archives/6
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/2013-features/
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=133
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=832107219;t=9991161311
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=832107219;t=9991161360
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Quilts%20and%20Blankets/Backpacking%20Quilts%20Concept%20%

26%20Reality/Owner%20Review%20by%20Ray%20Estrella/

Other possibilities:
Jack R Better can Google their site.

Golite Ultra 20: can google for reviews and expected temperature ratings
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog....ode=GF7  at $157 cheaper to buy than build.

I used to have what was called a poncho liner from the US Airforce. It was basically a lightweight green camo quilt. I used it when hiking the Grand Canyon in the warmer winters. It was about 4x8 feet.

You could probably find them at military surplus stores. Or if you have a sewing machine and the know-how make one.

I also used to take a standard wool blanket, also from military stores and fold it in half the long way, stitch down the long side and one end and use it as a pull-over for my sleeping bag extending its range.

Looks like these links will be keeping me pretty busy reading this week, thanks!

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