No Experience: Down vs. Climashield

[stefprez]

First off, I have no sewing experience yet. I plan on starting to make gear this summer.

I was all set on the idea of ordering some Climashield and making an UQ with it, since I've heard it's easy to work with, but THEN, hammockgear.com had to offer 800+ Fill Power Down for $6.50 an ounce. That whole "cost efficient" aspect of using synthetic just went down the drain... (In a good way!)

My dilemma is I know down is nicer feeling, as well as lighter, but much more difficult to work with, whereas the Climashield should work for me, but come on... it's not down. Would a down quilt be WAY over my head? Time and patience I have. Skills, I do not. What you say, HammockForums.net community? Climashield or down?

(Quick UQ details: 3/4 length, would like to be able to get to freezing temps comfortably.)

[Kallorne]

With time and patience any skill can be learned. I'd say go for the down and read up thoroughly and ask lots of questions before during and after construction. If you want to work with down...down the road, why not start now? Go for what you actually want.

[stormcrow]

Stefprez,

I sent you a completely unbiased PM... I can make your handling of goose down a breeze..

~Stormcrow

[G.L.P.]

if you ask nice..... Adam will pack it anyway you would like LOL

[Boothill]

adam

what size of needle do you suggest with 1.1 ripstop using gutermanns mara 70 and what stitch count, i am going the DIY route, just need to order a bit more down and it's game on

boot

[stefprez]

Thanks for all the help Adam! Excited to give this a go soon.

[stormcrow]

adam

what size of needle do you suggest with 1.1 ripstop using gutermanns mara 70 and what stitch count, i am going the DIY route, just need to order a bit more down and it's game on

boot

Hey Boot,

A 12 needle should handle that thread just fine. I used to use that same combo back in my DIY days.

Regarding stitch length, i think Youngblood's post HERE was fairly on point.

Hope that helps and good luck! I am sure you will do a great job..

~Adam

[Boothill]

thanks adam.........just love this forum

boot

[Arok]

I received my three ounces of down just the other day. I plan to make a down UQ and primaloft UQ. I ordered just three ounces of down, becuse I'm not sure how much down I'm going to use or need. But I have two months of DIY under my belt. Stefprez, I think we are on the right track.

[stefprez]

I resived my three ounces of down just the other day. I plan to make a down UQ and primaloft UQ. I ordered just three ounces of down, becuse I'm not sure how much down I'm going to use or need. But I have two months of DIY under my belt. Stefprez, I think we are on the right track.

Agreed my man! To give you a guesstimate from my observations, for a fractional length UQ, ~3-4 oz of down is what I'd call summer warmth. Get you to 40-50 degrees depending on your sleep comfort and other parts of your system. 6 oz should be somewhere in the ballpark of freezing temps, 8 oz around 20 degrees, etc etc. This is not from experience, just research on the fill weights of the UQ's being sold out there.