Drafting a Synthetic Quilt Pattern
One awesome perk of quilts built with Climashield Apex is they have ridiculously simple designs. The Example Pattern below is a pattern that I designed for myself. I’m 6’2”, 170 lbs.
Make sure the main panel on your pattern is a minimum of 3 inches taller than you are if you’re building a quilt with a sewn in footbox. If you’re building an open quilt, add a few more inches.
Why Build Your Own Quilt Instead of Just Buying One?
- You can generally save around $100-$200
- You’ll have unlimited fabric choices and will be able to add any extra features you’d like
- A synthetic quilt is an awesome first MYOG project since it’s so easy to build
Should I Build My Quilt With Synthetic or Down Insulation?
Pros of a Synthetic Quilt (Compared to Down)
- Cheaper
- Significantly easier to build
- Maintains warmth in high humidity
- Significantly warmer when wet
- Insulation doesn’t need to be shaken out or redistributed
Cons of a Synthetic Quilt (Compared to Down)
- Less durable. Loses a lot more loft over time
- Significantly less packable
- Heavier. Climashield Apex’s loft is the equivalent of about 300 fill power down
Materials
- 5 ft cord (Preferably 1/16” shock cord)
- Mini cordlock
- 2-3 yards of Climashield Apex insulation
- 4-5 yards of lightweight synthetic fabric
Optional Materials
- Fleece or other soft fabric for cord channel
- Webbing, elastic, and buckles for pad straps
What insulation should I use?
There are literally hundreds of different types of synthetic insulation out there but in my opinion, Climashield Apex is by far the best option for MYOGers. It’s extremely easy to work with and it has a high loft to weight ratio compared to other synthetic insulations.
Using Climashield Apex 2.5 oz will make a quilt rated to roughly 50°F,
Apex 3.6 oz: ~40°F
Apex 5 oz: ~30°F
Apex 6 oz: ~20°F
Apex 7.5 oz: ~10°F
You may benefit from using a heavier weight insulation in the torso of the quilt, and a lighter weight insulation at the legs (or vice versa).
What fabric(s) should I choose?
Fabrics that are breathable but still have very high wind resistance are ideal for an ultralight synthetic quilt.
I think that Ion, Argon 90, Argon 67, and Argon 49 from Dutchware are all great picks at great weights and price points. These are all 60” wide.
1.1 oz Ripstop Nylon, Membrane 10 Ripstop Nylon, Membrane 10 Taffeta Nylon, and Membrane 7 Ripstop Nylon from Ripstop by the Roll are also good picks. 1.1 oz Ripstop Nylon Uncalendered is 60” wide. The others are all supposed to be slimmer but all of the Membrane 10 Taffeta Nylon that I’ve ordered has been 60” wide.
If you’d like you can mix it up and use 2 different fabrics. Try using a softer or lighter weight fabric on the interior of the quilt and a more wind resistant or more durable fabric on the exterior of the quilt.
This chart shows the cost and weight estimates of a Climashield Apex quilt built with the above fabrics using the Example Pattern above (a pattern optimized for a 6’2” person). The prices are for 5 yards of fabric and 3 yards of insulation, not including shipping, plus $1 for cord and a cord lock.