Synthetic underquilt kit-good value?

**makingitoutdoors** · 02-24-2018, 10:55

Is the RSBTR synthetic underquilt kit a good value?
If I'm going to possibly be making more than one, would it be cheaper to buy components?
It's just a rectangle correct? No contouring? I keep finding pattern for ones with darts, but maybe that's old tech.
I have been walking away from my shopping cart every Friday unable to make a decision and the hang is in two weeks.
I need to be outside.
Thanks.

**kitsapcowboy** · 02-24-2018, 11:14

Yes, the kit is a good value for someone who wants to make her/his own synthetic underquilt; it also does all the thinking for you, save for choosing temperature rating, fabric, and colors. You will be able to make a 40-degree quilt with finished dimensions up to about 70" long by 58" wide, give or take, for as little as $45 per person (not including shipping). (Summer quilts (50F) would be even cheaper, given that you live down south.)

That said, you are in a special circumstance, since you need to make multiple underquilts -- somewhere between 2 and 5 of them, IIRC.

Therefore, it really depends on your desired number and specifications for each quilt, aggregated to compare the potential efficiency of ordering components versus ordering kits.

That's as much as I feel I can weigh in on your predicament, but I'll redirect you to my response to your previous post on affordable bottom insulation...

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...=1#post1854319

All of the individual components you need to source a la carte for a UQ similar to the one in the kit can still be sourced from your chosen vendor, Ripstop by the Roll.

HTH...

**makingitoutdoors** · 02-24-2018, 12:04

I know. You've been so helpful. I currently have the whole shebang in my cart. I just haven't been able to commit to the volume of diy. I need to make my own hammock as well. That's only a few minutes of work but still needs to be completed.
What are the micro-biners?
Nano-22 or Mini biners? or something else?
Thank you so much.

**kitsapcowboy** · 02-24-2018, 12:10

Micro-biners are not load-bearing carabiners, but instead the little 1.5" long ultralight-duty spring-gate utility biners you use to attach underquilts to the hammock suspension and clip gear to other gear to keep things sorted and handy.

If you're choosing between bulk components and kits, I think the amount of time spent on DIY will be virtually the same, since the components in the kits aren't necessarily cut to your finished dimensions.

Good luck with your projects. I hope you all have a nice hang.

**makingitoutdoors** · 02-24-2018, 12:30

Yeah. It's completely mental. The difference between a stack of work waiting for me or one envelope. I adore sewing and making but have a hard time allowing myself to put time aside for it. And the investment is an issue as well.

**Monkeyboy42** · 02-24-2018, 21:42

I haven’t done the math, but it’s prolly cheaper to buy components individually if you need to make a quantity. The rsbtr UQ kits aren’t precut, so you’re not getting any bonus work from that. This is doubly so, since most standard UQ’s are 60ish inchesx 42ish inches, and the kit gives you materials for up to 58x72.

I suspect if building a number of quilts, and do careful math that you’ll be ahead buying in bulk. That said, I doubt it will be a huge savings, unless you’re making a large number of quilts! The kit gives you convenience.

**kev138** · 02-24-2018, 22:39

I found the kit to be helpful and it contained everything I needed in on tidy little package. Actually there was a little extra in everything, but that seems to be normal for RSBTR. The kits are moderately cheaper than buying desperate pieces.

**Redfish** · 02-24-2018, 22:44

I've made two UQ's from the kits for my bridge hammocks and think they're great. Good value and good components.

**MoldyFrog** · 03-07-2018, 14:08

Kits are a good value like has been mentioned. When I was setting up pieces for my group we only did a bulk buy and not kits because of our collective height differences. A little creative math and we could save a yard here and there and that added up. If I hadn't of been the one doing the math and most of the sewing I would have pushed everyone to get their own kit and start sewing.