I'm making all my own gear to save some money and I'm completely new to this. This hammock stuff is really a lot to take in and I thought I did all my research and I ordered 12 yards of uncalendered fabric with some climashield to make a top and bottom quilt. Well I ended up finding out too late that many people use calendered fabric to make their quilts because it helps block air flow and keeps warm air in. I get this fabric in tomorrow and I am really itching to go backpacking so I kind of just want to make these quilts using all uncalendered fabric. I just hope it's not a waste of money and regret later that I didn't just place another order for more appropriate fabric and wait another week and a half.
That being said, I've read some articles that say ultra-breathable quilts using synthetic insulation are actually better than non-breathable. I've even read one article where someone used uncalendered fabric on one side, and mesh on the other while using apex insulation, "Ultra breathable quilt using mesh liner". I've read comments that say using calendered fabric is like adding a vapor barrier and is not good. I swear I read from someone that they said why are people still using calendered fabric in their quilts? haha, So needless to say, I'm totally confused. Which is better for the quilts? Breathable or not? Calendered or not? Is there some fine balance between the two? Will I have an acceptable solution with uncalendered quilts but a calendered underquilt protector?
At this point, I think I will be making my under quilt and top quilt out of this uncalendered fabric and try to figure out a solution to help block the wind at some point later. I just hope I don't freeze next week. It won't be the first time though and surely not the last. These quilts I intend only as my summer quilts (3.6 oz Apex). I plan on making something else for the winter time.
I am worried about being too cold in the upcoming months. That was one thing about hammocking that really caught me off guard, just how cold I was in the early morning even in quite warm weather, but I did not have an underquilt yet. In a way, I liked that, I liked actually being cool in the summer, but as it starts getting colder in the mountains, I must be prepared. Even now it's cold up there at night and it's only going to get worse.
Has anyone made any quilts using uncalendered fabric on both sides? Did it work okay for you? I was thinking of making a calendered underquilt protector, do you think that would help and solve my issue of wind resistance? For a DIY quilt maker using synthetic insulation, what would you recommend for fabrics for 30F dry weather? Thank you for helping this beginner hammocker.
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