Idea for a cheap, DIY down UQ - sewn through Karo-stepped w/ IX. Thoughts?

**JohnSawyer** · 07-06-2011, 01:30

Convert2010's recent DIY thread got me thinking... I've made way too many hammocks, a synth TQ, whoopies, tarps, toggles, heiny pots, alky stoves, etc, that it's time to try my hand with some down.

I have a plethora of fabric bits, some big enough for a 2/3rds UQ (all calendared, of course), some IX, and some "down" (ok, mostly feathers) that I salvaged from a quilt a friend gave me...

Since I have nothing but time coming up (Daughter's in Australia, Son leaves for Arizona in a week, Wife is shipping off to FL at the end of the month) I need a project to keep me out of trouble...

I've been intrigued by the Karo-stepped quilts, but all the ones I've seen are TQ's.

Here's the thought: Sewn-through Karo Step UQ. (summer weight?) ... I can either make it out of nylon all the way around, OR, use IX for the inside.

Since I don't see any snow... and Jack's R Better makes a sewn-through quilt, I figured, Why Not? The karo-step feature minimizes the sewn-area, reducing cold spots, provides for ease of filling (and over-filling), and would be an afternoon project. I figure a goal of 1-1.5" loft would get me what I wanted, and I should have enough harvested down to do that. (I do have about 2 gallons worth of better down saved from my down SB to TQ conversion I could add...

If I like it, I can always remove the crummy down and add good stuff, or just start over...

Thoughts? to IX or not to IX... and how long/close to sew the steps are the questions...

John

**Otter1** · 07-06-2011, 17:29

Check this out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQJJhiBlfpE

Not sure about IX for the shell.

**JohnSawyer** · 07-06-2011, 18:41

Thanks! I like the look of that quilt, but it looks squished when wrapped around the hammock...

**avi** · 09-14-2011, 14:08

Just wondering if you ended up making this project and how this worked out for you....

**JohnSawyer** · 09-15-2011, 21:35

Unfortunately, work stepped in to consume my available time, so I never got it started...

If I do it, I'm thinking I'll do the baffles instead of the sewn-through idea... but I keep changing my mind... we'll see...

Right now, funds are tight, so I don't have a spare $70 to spend on down... but I'll keep up the quest for cheap down...

Hmmm... maybe I can sell a couple of my hammocks.... nah...

**LisaJ5227** · 09-16-2011, 16:35

Hangin' Burrito said he found most of his down at the Goodwill for his gear. Down comforters, down coats etc. maybe frequent your local thrift stores.

**JohnSawyer** · 09-16-2011, 23:44

Originally Posted by LisaJ5227

Hangin' Burrito said he found most of his down at the Goodwill for his gear. Down comforters, down coats etc. maybe frequent your local thrift stores.

I've checked out the thrift stores.. it's a monthly sojourn... Many "down" comforters are more feather than down... and weigh a ton... I'll keep looking... Thanks!

**FlyingMonkey** · 08-28-2012, 22:38

I wonder if there's an easy way to separate feathers from down. Maybe some sort of blow box that would separate them by weight?

**JohnSawyer** · 08-30-2012, 16:11

There are videos out there that show the separation process... if I am going to.invest that much into it I will just get a second job and buy good down... though it might be fun to say I did it...

Since this thread started, I picked u 32+ oz of decent quality down. I just need to finish my uq, but I am just too busy right now. . .