Detailed sewing instructions for CS box underquilt (clew or adapt for conventional suspension)

[jellyfish]

I wanted to share my pattern and sewing instructions for a box underquilt, which was inspired by (though different than) the boxed corners on an underquilt that Caminante recently made (https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ghlight=corner).

While I made this underquilt for Leiavoia's clew suspension neo-retro-innovation in hammock underquilt design (https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...lew+underquilt), boxing the quilt is a universal technique and could apply to a conventional underquilt suspension (including a quilt with a secondary suspension). I can easily see swapping out the clew attachment points for fabric channels on all 4 sides to accommodate shock cord.

Why box an underquilt? By including a side wall and box to the underquilt, the Climashieled Apex insulation is not pinched at the edges and is able to loft out and not get squished, avoiding problems with compression. Because the suspension is attached to the upper part of the box (between the lining and the side wall), the insulation and shell fabric are secure to the suspension. Boxing the corners on a quilt with side walls is easy and can be accomplished by a novice.

I made this underquilt using 6.0 oz Climashield Apex insulation, which has a 2" loft. If using insulation that is thicker or thinner, adjust the height of the side-walls accordingly (remember to include the seam allowance).

Pattern and detailed instructions:
http://jellyfishreport.blogspot.com/...s-for-box.html



Refer to these links for more information on this project:

• Leiavoia's blog post: http://www.leiavoia.net/pages/hammock/levquilt.html
• Leiavoia's hammockforums post: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...lew+underquilt
• Derek Hansen's blog post on the clew suspension: http://theultimatehang.com/2013/01/w...clew-tutorial/
• Derek Hansen's youtube video on the clew suspension: https://youtu.be/L5M-1M6WsvM
• My blog post on how to weave the clew suspension with shock cord for the underquilt: http://jellyfishreport.blogspot.com/...nderquilt.html
• My sleep report with troubleshooting the suspension http://jellyfishreport.blogspot.com/...uilt-with.html

[gsjkih89]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I need to make an UQ sooner than later.

[joemoberly]

Wow! That is an awesome tutorial! Thank you so much for taking the time to share that, the tips you provide will come in very handy!

[P-Dub]

Excellent!

(guess I have to order that Climashield now...)

[P-Dub]

Is it possible to skip sewing the box strips onto the outer layer of the UQ
by cutting the corners off like this?

underquilt boxed.jpg

This might make sewing the webbing on the ends a bit more difficult, but maybe not?
Do you see problems with this?

[Winnie]

I was watching your sleep report video. You pointed out that there was some air space on the side opposite the feet. I wonder if that air space would close up if two of the clews on that side, instead of being attached at the end of the hammock, were attached further down the ridge line sort of like the attachment for triangle thingies.

[jellyfish]

Is it possible to skip sewing the box strips onto the outer layer of the UQ
by cutting the corners off like this?

underquilt boxed.jpg

This might make sewing the webbing on the ends a bit more difficult, but maybe not?
Do you see problems with this?

I think it would work, but sewing those sidewalls to the insulation would be tricky.


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[jellyfish]

I was watching your sleep report video. You pointed out that there was some air space on the side opposite the feet. I wonder if that air space would close up if two of the clews on that side, instead of being attached at the end of the hammock, were attached further down the ridge line sort of like the attachment for triangle thingies.

That is interesting. I'm going to enjoy playing around with various scenarios for fiddling around with this. Will try it out.


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[jellyfish]

Is it possible to skip sewing the box strips onto the outer layer of the UQ
by cutting the corners off like this?

underquilt boxed.jpg

This might make sewing the webbing on the ends a bit more difficult, but maybe not?
Do you see problems with this?

You know what? Maybe this isn't as tricky as I originally thought. I will ruminate on this design.

If you box your corners first, baste to the lining fabric (leave space to turn right side out) and then sew on the insulation, you could do it for a conventional suspension (probably much harder for a clew).

Maybe the opening where you turn the project right-side-out would need to be hand-stitched (it may look weird if done on a machine).

I might try a small prototype with scraps. But I gotta finish my winter tarp first.

Let me know what you decide to do.


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[jellyfish]

I think we would have to attach the clew suspension in a manner different from what I originally did, as there would really be no way to reinforce the attachment points, and I wouldn't trust 1 straight seam to hold the tension on each piece of webbing for an extended time. However, I do think it is possible to devise a way that the clew could attach to the top of the box that would not require the same type of reinforcement. Perhaps sewing a channel to the quilt and putting attachment points on the channel? Or using buttons, as leiavoia originally suggested in the clew design?

I didn't use buttons because I didn't see them as being very strong. That is a lot of tension for a very small surface area where the buttons are sewn on. Spreading out the tension to a greater surface area is what I tried to do with the webbing/Kam snaps, but there are certainly other (perhaps more efficient and lighter weight) ways of attaching the clews.

I'll keep thinking....