Customer Project: Desert Camping 40* Quilt

by Jennifer Davis

• OVERVIEW
• HOW DO I MAKE IT
• MATERIALS

• I was inspired by youtube video by Reptar Hikes. Heidi “Clark Kent” the YouTuber used materials from Ripstop by the Roll,  in which she demonstrated how to make an ultralight backpacking quilt. She makes it look so easy, I wanted to give it a try. I had no idea these cool materials existed, so I was so excited to get my fabric. I wanted the outside to be crimson and inside to be khaki and the channels to be white. 
• Since I am only 5’5’ I wanted the dimension of the completed quilt to be 72 inches long by 54 inches wide tapering to 42 " base. I didn’t want to create a permanent foot box since I like to stick my foot out when I sleep as well as the ability to lay it flat like a blanket. Therefore, I placed 24” separating zipper at the bottom of the bag and using shock cord to cinch it up to create the footbox. Heidi had used the low-profile buckles, but they were sold out, so I went with the 1’ standard buckles for the back to wrap the quilt around me while sleeping. Following Heidi's video, I placed my crimson on top of the khaki, which was then on top of the 3.6 oz climashield on the bottom.I  inserted all my components between my fabrics (zipper, channels for the shock cords and buckles) and held it together with pins and binder clips. I sewed a hem around outside except for one spot which I used to pull shell right side out. I have to say I am not a seamstress, so while I was sewing the hem, I was certain that I had screwed the whole thing up. It looked like everything had shifted, but I kept going. When I pulled it through the hole all those mistakes disappeared. One problem I had was the channels, in my haste to finish I sewed one end closed. I could have prevented the problem, had I taken the time to make sure it was pinned correctly and laying flat. 

• Required Materials:

  2yrds) 0.66oz MEMBRANE 10 taffeta nylon, Crimson    

  (2yrds) 0.66oz MEMBRANE 10 taffeta nylon, Khaki

  (1yrds) 1.0 HyperD diamond ripstop nylon, white/calendered

  (2yrd) Climashield APEX - 3.6oz/sq yd

  (1) Gutermann MARA 70 thread, Green

  (3) Low-Profile Center Push Buckle, 3/4" were sold out so I got standard side release buckles, 1”

  (1) MIL-SPEC Nylon Webbing, 3/4"

  (1set) Mini cordlock

  (1) Shock cord, Black / 3/32"

  (1) YKK #5 Vision Separating Zipper, 24"

  Related Products:

  • 0.66 oz MEMBRANE 10 taffeta nylon
  • Climashield APEX XL - 3.6 oz/sq yd
  • 1.0 oz HyperD
  • MIL-SPEC Nylon Webbing
  • Low-Profile Center Push Buckle
  • Gutermann MARA 70 thread
  • Mini cordlock
  • Shock cord
  • YKK #5 Vislon Separating Zipper