Overstuff or don't overstuff...? Opinions requested

**Deepbluejaye** · 08-12-2015, 07:35

Looking for some opinions. I am working on my first down top quilt (prototype) and am just about to the stuffing part. I have read quite a bit on the advantages of overstuffing by 20%. For those of you that have worked with down on a regular basis, what is your opinion? Is it worth the extra cost? Do the bags hold up better over time? Kind of doing a cost benefit analyses as these are aimed at resale.

Thanks for your time.

Jaye

**gmcttr** · 08-12-2015, 07:49

It is standard practice to "overstuff" down filling by 20-30% beyond the calculated amount needed. For example, if the volume of your item was 1 cubic foot, 1.2-1.3 cu. ft. of down would be used. This is the normal fill amount and is needed to achieve full loft in a reasonable amount of time and to maintain that loft in use.

**kduvey** · 08-12-2015, 09:21

Not everyone will agree with me on this, but I would rather reduce the volume (baffle height) by 20% than add 20% more down. This gives you the benefits of overstuffing (at the cost a a few degrees of warmth... but pretty much negligible) while not adding the weight and material cost that overstuffing brings.

This has been discussed in some of my previous threads.

Cheers

**Country Roads** · 08-12-2015, 19:57

Overstuff is good, up to a point. If there is too much down for the baffle height, then it cannot loft up fully, so you would be wasting money. Definitely would not go beyond 20%ish. Just my two cents worth.

**OCDave** · 08-12-2015, 20:18

I have not opted for over stuffing any of my quilts. I haven't felt they have been inadequate in any way. The extra dollars and volume in my pack are best used elsewhere.

**boulderv7** · 08-12-2015, 20:37

I always overstuff about 10-20%. I like the added security of achieving the full loft and I think a little extra down helps to stabilize the down in the chamber so there isn't too much room so it shifts. Just my opinion. I too would not go over 20%.

**gmcttr** · 08-12-2015, 22:09

Originally Posted by OCDave

I have not opted for over stuffing any of my quilts.....

If you check with the HG, I think you will find that at least "20% overstuff" is the standard fill. The overstuff you pay by the ounce for is in addition to the standard.

**OCDave** · 08-12-2015, 22:33

Originally Posted by gmcttr

If you check with the HG, I think you will find that at least "20% overstuff" is the standard fill. The overstuff you pay by the ounce for is in addition to the standard.

Sorry, did not notice this was a DIY thread.

**Caminante** · 08-13-2015, 07:55

I'm also interested in this as I'm getting ready to make a down UQ. I used the google sheets calculator shooting for 2" baffles and 2.5" max loft. Most of the charts I've seen put this somewhere ~20F at 2.25" average loft. I then noticed that the calculator, using 800FP down, gave an oz/baffle of down that I couldn't measure, so I played with the overstuff calculator to get to 1.125oz/baffle @ 22% overstuffed (my digital scale goes to 1/8oz increments). At least according to the calculator, this improved the rating to 13F, but I'm just hoping for 20F performance with nice poofy loft.

**genixia** · 08-13-2015, 15:06

Originally Posted by kduvey

Not everyone will agree with me on this, but I would rather reduce the volume (baffle height) by 20% than add 20% more down. This gives you the benefits of overstuffing (at the cost a a few degrees of warmth... but pretty much negligible) while not adding the weight and material cost that overstuffing brings.

This has been discussed in some of my previous threads.

Cheers

You've created a quilt rated at 80% of the original design and overstuffed it by 25%.