DIY Quilt Kits for Backpacking and Hammocks
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On this page
- What's usually in a quilt kit
- Types of quilt kits
- Synthetic kits: the best place to start
- Down kits: more work, more reward
- Kit vs scratch build vs buying
- Upgrading a kit
- Where to find quilt kits
- Who should buy a kit (and who shouldn't)
- How to choose a kit
- Skills you need before you start
- Your sewing machine
- Common kit-build mistakes
- Tips for a successful kit build
- FAQ
Quick answer: A DIY quilt kit bundles the fabric, insulation and hardware for one quilt so you don't have to source each part. Synthetic Climashield APEX kits are the easiest and the best first project; down kits are harder and save less money. Kits are worth it if you want custom colors and sizing at a lower price and enjoy sewing — not if you just want the cheapest warm quilt.
DIY quilt kits sit between building from scratch and buying a finished quilt. You still cut and sew, but someone else has matched fabric, insulation and hardware so the parts work together. For first-timers, that removes the guesswork of choosing fabrics and insulation weights. This guide explains what's in a typical kit, how hard each type is, and how to decide whether a kit makes sense for you.
What's usually in a quilt kit
- Shell fabric — outer ripstop, often with DWR.
- Liner fabric — softer inner fabric.
- Insulation — a sheet of Climashield APEX, or a measured quantity of down for down kits.
- Baffle material (down kits only).
- Hardware — shock cord, cord locks, grosgrain, sometimes snaps.
- Instructions — a written or video guide; some include a paper pattern.
Thread, needles and tools are often not included. Check the kit's contents carefully.
Types of quilt kits
| Kit type | Difficulty | Time (first build) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic APEX top quilt | Easy | ~1 weekend | Beginners, hammock and ground use |
| Synthetic underquilt | Easy–moderate | ~1–2 weekends | Hammock campers |
| Down sewn-through quilt | Moderate | ~2 weekends | Summer down quilts |
| Down baffled quilt | Hard | ~2–4 weekends | Experienced sewists wanting max warmth/weight |
| Stuff sack / accessory kits | Very easy | An evening | Learning to sew nylon first |
Synthetic kits: the best place to start
APEX kits are popular because the insulation is a continuous sheet. You don't need baffles or careful down distribution. Most builds use the pillowcase method: layer, sew around the edge, turn, topstitch and add drawcords. Our step-by-step DIY synthetic quilt guide applies to most synthetic kits.
You'll typically choose an APEX weight by temperature: 2.5 oz/yd² for summer, 5.0 for three-season, and 7.5 or layered sheets for colder use. Those figures are supplier guides, not standardized ratings.
Down kits: more work, more reward
A down kit lets you build a lighter, more packable quilt, but construction is much harder. You'll sew baffles (internal mesh walls), then fill each chamber with weighed portions of down. Filling down is messy and slow; most builders set up an enclosed space and work carefully with a scale. See our DIY down quilt guide and baffle guide before committing.
The money saved on a down kit is often smaller than people expect, because quality down is the most expensive part of any quilt. Compare against discounted stock quilts and budget makers before buying. See best budget top quilts.
Kit vs scratch build vs buying
| Kit | Scratch build | Buy finished | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low–moderate | Lowest (if you buy carefully) | Highest |
| Sourcing effort | Low | High | None |
| Customization | Moderate | Full | Depends on maker; see custom vs stock |
| Labor | Moderate–high | High | None |
| Risk of mistakes | Moderate | Higher | Low |
| Warranty | No (materials only) | No | Usually |
Upgrading a kit
Most kits leave room for small upgrades. Popular ones include adding a draft collar to a colder quilt, using snaps plus a drawcord for an open footbox, and sewing loops for pad straps. Some builders swap the kit's insulation for a heavier APEX sheet or layer two sheets for a colder build. Plan upgrades before you cut so you buy any extra fabric or hardware together.
Where to find quilt kits
Specialist gear-fabric suppliers are the main source. Ripstop by the Roll is the best-known US supplier of DIY outdoor fabrics and has offered quilt and underquilt kits alongside individual materials; its selection changes, so check what's currently available. Some suppliers let you pick fabric colors and insulation weight within the kit.
Amazon has general sewing tools and basic ripstop, but complete backpacking quilt kits with APEX or quality down are less common there. A good rotary cutter set is worth buying if you don't own one: check price on Amazon.
Who should buy a kit (and who shouldn't)
A kit is a good fit if you enjoy sewing, want a custom color or size that stock quilts don't offer, want to learn how quilts are built, or are planning several builds and want to start with something predictable. Kits are also great for hammock campers who want an odd size — for example, a narrow summer top quilt or a 3/4-length underquilt.
A kit is probably not for you if you need a quilt for a trip in a couple of weeks, don't have access to a sewing machine, or just want the lowest-cost warm quilt. In those cases, a budget commercial quilt or a sale on a stock model is the better route. For guidance, see first backpacking quilt.
How to choose a kit
- Decide the temperature range. Use a quilt temperature calculator and your typical trips.
- Pick dimensions. Check width and length for your build and sleep style. See quilt sizing.
- Choose fabric weights. Lighter fabrics save ounces but are slipperier to sew and less durable.
- Check what's included. Thread? Snaps? Pattern?
- Plan the footbox and closures. Open footboxes suit hammocks; sewn footboxes suit ground sleepers.
- Order extra. A little extra fabric covers cutting mistakes.
Skills you need before you start
You don't need to be an experienced sewist, but some basics make a kit build much smoother:
- Straight seams on slippery fabric. Lightweight nylon shifts. Practice on scraps until you can sew a straight line at a steady speed.
- Accurate cutting. Long, straight cuts with a rotary cutter and a straight edge on a large surface — a clean floor works.
- Channels and casings. Folding fabric or grosgrain to create a drawcord channel.
- Turning and topstitching. Turning a large piece right-side out and topstitching neatly near the edge.
- For down kits: precise weighing and filling. Distributing down evenly by weight across chambers determines warmth and cold spots.
If those sound daunting, make a stuff sack or a small pillow cover first. It's an hour or two of practice that teaches you how ultralight fabric behaves under the presser foot.
Your sewing machine
Most home machines that can sew a straight stitch will handle a synthetic quilt. What matters more is the setup: a fresh microtex or sharp needle in a small size, polyester thread, a slightly longer stitch length and, ideally, a walking foot that feeds both layers evenly. Heavy-duty or industrial machines aren't necessary. If your machine skips stitches on light nylon, a new needle usually fixes it.
Common kit-build mistakes
- Not reading the instructions first. Knowing the order of operations prevents sewing a channel in the wrong place.
- Cutting before test-fitting. Lay the fabric over yourself and your pad or hammock to check width.
- Pulling fabric through the machine. Let the feed dogs do the work; pulling distorts seams.
- Ignoring grain direction. Keeping ripstop grain consistent between layers reduces puckering.
- Rushing the down fill. Uneven chambers mean cold spots; weigh every portion.
Tips for a successful kit build
- Make a stuff sack first to practice on slippery nylon.
- Use binder clips instead of pins.
- Use a fresh microtex needle and polyester thread.
- Test-fit before final stitching.
- Add pad attachment loops — see DIY quilt pad straps.
For a full overview of materials and suppliers, see quilt-making materials, and for the bigger picture, DIY top quilt.
Frequently asked questions
Are DIY quilt kits cheaper than buying a quilt?
Usually, especially for synthetic quilts. Kits bundle materials at a price below most finished quilts, but you supply the sewing machine and many hours of labor. Down kits save less once you factor in the cost of quality down.
Is a quilt kit good for beginners?
A synthetic Climashield APEX kit is one of the best beginner sewing projects for outdoor gear. Down kits are harder because of baffle construction and filling; most people build a synthetic quilt first.
What's included in a DIY quilt kit?
Typically shell and liner fabric, insulation (APEX sheet or measured down), cord, cord locks, grosgrain and sometimes snaps, thread and instructions. Some kits include patterns; others give dimensions to cut yourself.
Can I customize a quilt kit?
Often yes. Many suppliers let you choose fabric colors and weights and insulation weight, and you can adjust dimensions when cutting. Order a little extra fabric if you plan to make it wider or longer.