How To Make A Synthetic Top Quilt – DIY / MYOG
How To Make A Synthetic Top Quilt – DIY / MYOG
Find a full list of materials and download the sketchup file here: how-to-build-a-synthetic-top-quilt-diy-myog
6 total yards of Membrane 10 taffeta nylon (3 yards per quilt side) – http://bit.ly/2rL1mma
2-3 yards of Climashield Apex 5.0 synthetic insulation (buy 3 to account for potential mistakes or if you need to make a longer quilt) – http://bit.ly/2rNuWIn
Gutermann Mara 70 thread – http://bit.ly/2k6mDmO
3 yards 1/16″ shock cord – http://bit.ly/2k3Sl49
2 micro cord locks – http://bit.ly/2ItEmiT
5/8″ grosgrain ribbon – https://amzn.to/2IN7Mf6
KAM snaps & tool – https://amzn.to/2Lajgrh
20″ separating zipper size #5 – https://amzn.to/2rPM9QH
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The music in this video is by NQW. Check out their awesome music here: https://soundcloud.com/nqw
Interested in buying one
really nice work. what was your finished weight?
Thank you so much for this and your links for materials! One suggestion, rather than cutting a separate piece for the drawstring cord channe, couldn’t you just allow 1.5 ins extra at the top of one of either the top or bottom layer fabric and then just fold it under to make a cord channel? You’d need to also add .5 in cut out on the sides as well to allow for the side channel hems. You’d still need to pin it, but it would be a smidge faster?
Have the prices gone up since this video? I’m pricing it now and its 100+.
Have you found that the 35 deg temp rating has been about right?
Nice! I no longer have access to sewing machines (or the person who used them 😏), or I’d make one. What are your thoughts on Velcro instead of a zipper?
I made this quilt a few months ago. I just spent two weeks backpacking and camping in Arizona so I can report for me (male, medium warmth sleeper) that it was warm down to about 46 degrees F (8 Celcius) with no additional clothing layers. Below that you’d want to add clothing layers. I had one night where it got down to 32 F (0 Celcius). I put on a pair of long johns, wool socks, and a light down jacket with hood, and was just barely warm enough to sleep but I was a bit cold and uncomfortable. I guess this sums up that this isnt a super warm quilt, but it is quite light, compact and easy to make. If you are going to sleep frequently in temperatures close to freezing I would recommend adding more insulation. For me it will work as a good warm weather quilt, but may not be quite enough for the high alpine in the summer
great and thanks for sharing.
Love the how to videos! Thanks!
This was absolutely brilliant. I’d love to make some of my own gear. Tempted to buy a sewing machine now.
How small are you able to make it while carrying in your pack?
Super!!
With the help of my wife, I used your video (and links) to purchase the materials and make mine. I (of course) modified it a bit for my 6′ 1" height and larger frame. Fortunately, the 58" width worked perfectly for my wider quilt. I also went with a longer foot box and 24" zipper. Final Quilt is 78" long, 57" wide and weighs just at 1.5 lbs and is quite toasty! I have quite a bit of material left over and plan to make several pairs of booties. One will have insulated denim for lounging/walking around the house in, the other will be for those cold nights on the trail. Took the quilt out for a week long section on the AT, and it is fantastic. Stuffs down to right at 8L. Thanks for the awesome video brother!
Still didn’t finish watching the video, but I love the UnderTale ost song in the background haha!
Hey fella, fantastic job, going to do my own since i am loving the diy and I don’t want to always use my Megalite so it lasts and no one ganks it at music fests or whatever. Question though: have the prices gone up significantly because I’m oooking at over $100 at RSBTR on this project? Any suggestions for alternative material sourcing?? Thankyou and great job!
I have no idea how you cut it so smoothly. Mine was all jagged, and I’m about to see it completely finished and flipped inside out.
That was great. I really need a quilt …im going to try this. Joe what kind of stitch did you use going around the outside?
How has the UGQ Been holding up? Been going back and forth about what quilt to get for my 2019 PCT Thru hike.
This is awesome!
Very Nice! What did the finished weight come too?
Thanks for the video! It really does a fantastic job of covering every step and question that could come up. I don’t know if you will see this question, but I was wondering if you have an opinion on the pros and cons of using only snaps to create the footbox instead of a zipper. thanks.
Why leave the gap along the zipper for the reverse? It would seem easier to do it on the side between grosgrain tabs.
Thank you for this excellent tutorial! I’ve been considering making my own quilt to try out as I’m an avid sewer and diy-er. I’m interested in trying a quilt, but not much out there for reviews of synthetic quilts so I’m having a hard time parting with a few hundred dollars for something that 1) might not be warm enough for me and 2) might be too heavy/big… a homemade tester may be a way to go!
Edited to add: Well I did it! I’m uploading a video of my project as I type this. It was way easier than I thought it would be and I just love my quilt. Hope it keeps me as warm as I think it was on an actually lower temps overnighter! Thanks again for the great tutorial.
Thank you! I’m glad I watched to the end – I don’t know why but I’d never thought of putting my head through the footbox when using my Revelation as a wrap. I’ve just been opening it up all the way and holding it around me. That will make my mornings much more hands-free! Double thanks!
ribbon dancing like Stevie hahahahaha lmao
The vinyl looks like a giant fruit roll up
Joe – Check out some great ideas for quilt construction from Sierra Designs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX7LSHvM414
Great video Joe. Really easy steps and exactly the process by which I made mine (minus the zipper).
I don’t have the skills to make one myself, but I would consider commissioning you to build a custom setup. You should start taking orders man…it could become a sweet business!
Wow that’s awesome!! Would it be possible to put two layers of insulation inside to increase warmth?
This was awesome. Thanks, dude.
I did your Costco quilt mod and used it all season here in TX (warm) it worked well. I will have to do (make) this quilt. Thanks for sharing dude. Happy Hiking.
Just wondering what your top three picks are for sewing machines that can run the thinner materials. Always look forward to seeing your videos!
Really enjoyed this diy, what temp rating is this, and did you stitch through the center of the quilt?
Supper stoaked you posted these links , I was just about to place a big order from rsbtr , you actually turned me on to them, so this allows me to feel like I can give back in small way, That master list on backcountry banter has definitely been appreciated! Much love joe!
Hi , I’m trying to make my own quilt too and I just wanted to know why the purple fabric that you put under the insulation while sewing doesn’t get sown to the quilt. How do I do that ?
Greetings Vincent.
P.s Your videos are great keep it going 🙂
Is that spectra yellow or olive yellow you used for the exterior?
I just finished this project. It took about 5-6 hours of work to make, so it was pretty simple compared to other MYOG projects. The materials cost me about 100$. I made my quilt 4 inches longer (I am 6 feet tall and wanted it to mostly cover my head), and 2 inches less wide. The total weight is about 615 grams. So far I am quite happy! The hardest part was sewing the zipper in, especially at the end after turning the fabric inside out. I am wondering why the hole to turn it inside out wasn’t left in a non-zipper part.. I’ll report back later on how this holds up on a long backpacking trip.
Nice job. I’ve been sewing for over 50 years so I know how difficult it is to sew in the grosgrain and channels for shock cords. Only thing I would do different is that I would make the opening (to turn it right side out) in the side of the quilt above the zipper and only make it about 8" long. It’s more difficult to sew the zipper in (more layers) in the section that you left open to turn the quilt. Just a little easier because the zipper won’t move around while trying to sew it after.
What is the packed size of this quilt? What size STS drysack would it fit in? 10l?
That is bad ass ! Me likey lol
Have you found the insulation/shell to need another seam or two through the middle to prevent it from twisting or becoming misformed?
Good stuff man..i need a quilt for the warmer weather myself..so cool bro..
Awesome video – super easy to follow, Thank you! Do you have a video for instructions to make a sling back chair with trekking poles?
This is completely unrelated but to me you look just like and sound like George Blagden in the role of Louis XIV in the series Versailles. This is a really great DIY though.
I just ordered all the stuff I need to make this quilt! I’m very excited for it. Would you say it’s rated to around 35 degrees?
Also, you should make a myog video for an 7×9 or 8×10 silpoly tarp! You and Jupiter have enlightened me to the many benefits of a tarp, I want to make one now!
Thank you for making this! My husband and I tried to test out mummy bags and figured out that I don’t like sleeping confined and they don’t work for my husband who’s built like a lineman. Now to just figure out how to rig it to be able to be a double quilt!
Entertaining and informative! Not that I know much about sewing, but do you think it would be helpful or necessary to add some stitching along the body of the quilt to keep the insulation in place? Or is that used primarily for something like down or down alternative and not a whole sheet of batting like this?
Hi, great video, one question, what thread and needle did you use?
Thanks
Totally amazing project! I appreciate you sharing this and encouraing people to DIY. I think many of us, even people who occasionaly DIY aren’t always keen to take on technical projects with uncommon materials.