Costco Down Sleeves

**Guinea Pig** · 06-27-2017, 22:07

Hey all,
I have created a pair of Costco down sleeves. The pattern I used was based off of Angry Sparrow's down sleeves (awesome write-up). The link can be found here: (http://angrysparrow.com/hammock_info/down_sleeves.pdf). I did switch one thing, however. I added a hem on the cuffs, and threw a cinch cord in there. This turned out to open more possibilities than I had originally thought, and I felt the need to share. Other than allowing for sleeves, and allowing the sleeves to be bunched up if too hot, it also allowed for a magnificent pillow, down booties, and leg warmers (Basically chaps). Although I have not tried, I'm sure one could achieve similar results by just putting an elastic band for the cuffs. If you have any questions, let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them. Cheers!
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**tstark** · 06-28-2017, 06:50

How do the booties work? Did you put your foot halfway down, then bring the bottom up to your ankle and tie it off?

The sleeves would be a great add-on with the Costco down vest. Thanks for sharing!

**Otter1** · 06-28-2017, 09:04

The added warmth will be amazing! Nice.

Oh, and your wife has very hairy legs! But don't tell her I said so

**Guinea Pig** · 06-28-2017, 09:56

Originally Posted by tstark

How do the booties work? Did you put your foot halfway down, then bring the bottom up to your ankle and tie it off?

The sleeves would be a great add-on with the Costco down vest. Thanks for sharing!

You basically hit the nail on the head. The only difference, though, is that you will want to twist the down sleeves a little past the toes, and then bring it back in around itself. Think "beanie buff". I usually do it off of my foot. I put my hand about a foot's length up the cuff side of the sleeves and twist a quarter or half turn. Then, I flip it inside out, and bring it back around itself up to the "v" of the top part (the part that rests int he armpit). Once here, I usually put in my foot and cinch it up.

Pro Tip: The more twists you do, the less give there will be. So, if you do less twists and make the foot portion of the booties a little less than your foot, then it will expand in length to fit your foot. If, though, you do more twists, then the length generally will expand less, and it will be tighter inside.

I hope all of this makes sense, and thanks for asking! It is definitely a nice add-on, and a low cost way to stay warm in the winter. I do want to point one thing out that I feel a lot of people who use these don't mention much. There is a small gap in the armpit area, and if you move your arms up, then it will become more pronounced. It could be a good thing or bad thing depending, but it is there.

**Guinea Pig** · 06-28-2017, 10:00

Originally Posted by Otter1

The added warmth will be amazing! Nice.

Oh, and your wife has very hairy legs! But don't tell her I said so

She has a nice beard to (down?) boot too! Jokes aside, if anyone is considering cutting up a Costco Down Quilt to make one of these, make sure to definitely give carefully consideration into how you will keep the down mess mitigated. My actual girlfriend about had a heart attack after she saw how beautiful and snow-like the house was after she came home!
I was pleasantly surprised with how warm they actually are considering I've heard the Costco down top quilt is only good to around 45 degrees (as an under quilt).

**Redoleary** · 06-28-2017, 10:11

Those are sweet!! Well done sir.

**Peter_pan** · 06-28-2017, 12:05

Nice job on the cosco conversion.

FWIW, the history on down sleeves starts with Jack R Better introducing them with the original design in December of 2005...

They have enjoyed good popularity and are still available for those who like the idea and would like to find them ready to use... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/down-sleeves/ ... There is video on our video page on the JRB Down Sleeves and there use... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/videos/ Scroll down to the 15th video... You might find a few nuggets in some of the other videos, all linked to that single page.

Pan

**Guinea Pig** · 06-28-2017, 12:24

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

Nice job on the cosco conversion.

FWIW, the history on down sleeves starts with Jack R Better introducing them with the original design in December of 2005...

They have enjoyed good popularity and are still available for those who like the idea and would like to find them ready to use... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/down-sleeves/ ... There is video on our video page on the JRB Down Sleeves and there use... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/videos/ Scroll down to the 15th video... You might find a few nuggets in some of the other videos, all linked to that single page.

Pan

I'm sorry, I should have noted this. You're down sleeves look incredible, and I am thoroughly impressed with how you were able to get the sizing just right. I originally tried to make the sleeves symmetrical, but when I'd put them on they never seemed to work (fit felt strange), and so I had to get my girlfriend to taylor it directly to my shape (since my shoulders are disproportionate). This took a lot of sewing on tabs/ seam ripping/ resewing in a different place, etc. In all of the pictures I looked at for yours, this seems to be a non-issue. Also, I love the easy on/ off. That seems to be an amazing feature.

At some point I would love to purchase a pair of yours (my sewing skills are not nearly up to those standards lol).

**tstark** · 06-28-2017, 23:12

Originally Posted by Guinea Pig

You basically hit the nail on the head. The only difference, though, is that you will want to twist the down sleeves a little past the toes, and then bring it back in around itself. Think "beanie buff". I usually do it off of my foot. I put my hand about a foot's length up the cuff side of the sleeves and twist a quarter or half turn. Then, I flip it inside out, and bring it back around itself up to the "v" of the top part (the part that rests int he armpit). Once here, I usually put in my foot and cinch it up.

Pro Tip: The more twists you do, the less give there will be. So, if you do less twists and make the foot portion of the booties a little less than your foot, then it will expand in length to fit your foot. If, though, you do more twists, then the length generally will expand less, and it will be tighter inside.

I hope all of this makes sense, and thanks for asking! It is definitely a nice add-on, and a low cost way to stay warm in the winter. I do want to point one thing out that I feel a lot of people who use these don't mention much. There is a small gap in the armpit area, and if you move your arms up, then it will become more pronounced. It could be a good thing or bad thing depending, but it is there.

I completely missed the twist, the first time. Great pro tip! Looking forward to having another reason to rip into another Costco quilt.