DIY Quilt Pad Straps

By topquilt.com · Updated Oct 21, 2026 · 6 min read

TopQuilt is reader-supported. Some links go to Amazon, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we make money.

Pad straps are the small accessory that make a quilt work on cold nights. Without them, the edges of a quilt can lift when you roll over, letting cold air in along your sides. DIY quilt pad straps hold those edges down against your pad so the quilt behaves more like a sleeping bag, while still letting you sleep freely on warmer nights. They're one of the easiest gear projects there is: no sewing machine needed for the straps themselves.

This guide covers two proven designs, how to calculate lengths for your pad, and how to add attachment loops to a quilt. For the bigger picture on how manufacturers handle this, see quilt pad attachment systems.

How pad straps work

A pad strap goes around or under your sleeping pad. The quilt's edges connect to it at each side, either by clipping onto the strap or by the strap passing through loops on the quilt. When you roll, the quilt edges stay anchored to the pad, which prevents drafts.

The connection should be snug but not tight. If the quilt is pulled taut across your body it compresses the insulation and you'll lose warmth. The goal is a sealed edge with the quilt still draping loosely. If you're still cold with straps, see how to stay warm in a quilt.

Design 1: Shock cord loop with clips

This is the most common design. A loop of elastic cord wraps fully around the pad, and the quilt clips onto it. Because the cord stays on the pad, you can unclip the quilt and use it as a blanket on warm nights.

What you need (makes two straps)

• About 4 yards of 2.5–3 mm shock cord.
• Two small cord locks sized for your cord.
• Four small mitten hooks or similar lightweight clips.
• About 1 yard of 5/8" grosgrain ribbon for quilt loops, if your quilt doesn't have them.
• A lighter to seal cord ends.

Length math

Start with the cross-section perimeter of your pad: 2 x width + 2 x thickness. Add about 6 inches for the cord lock and a tail you can grab.

Measure your pad inflated. Self-inflating and foam pads are usually thinner than air pads; a closed-cell foam pad might be under an inch thick. The cord lock lets you take up slack, so err slightly long.

Step-by-step

1. Cut two lengths of shock cord using your calculated length.
2. Seal the ends by briefly melting them with a lighter so the sheath doesn't fray.
3. Thread both ends of one cord through a cord lock from opposite sides, forming a loop. Tie a small stopper knot in each end.
4. Slide the loop over your inflated pad and tighten the cord lock until it's snug but not squeezing the pad. Position the cord lock under the pad so you don't feel it.
5. Repeat for the second strap. Place one around the shoulder area and one around the hips or upper thighs.
6. Attach clips to the quilt. Tie a short loop of shock cord or grosgrain through each quilt edge loop and attach a mitten hook, or tie the hook directly to the quilt loop with cord.
7. Test it. Lie down, clip the quilt to the straps on each side, and roll over a few times. Adjust strap positions to match where the quilt edge naturally falls.

Design 2: Webbing strap with line-locks

This design passes a flat strap under the pad and threads its ends through the quilt's edge loops, with line-locks to adjust tension. It holds the quilt more firmly and is a good choice for restless sleepers or windy nights. The trade-off is that the straps stay threaded to the quilt.

What you need (makes two straps)

• About 2.5 yards of 3/4" flat elastic or lightweight webbing. Elastic is more comfortable when you roll; webbing doesn't stretch out over time.
• Four 3/4" line-lock buckles.
• Quilt edge loops of 5/8" or 3/4" grosgrain.
• Thread and needle, or a sewing machine.

Length math

The strap needs to cross the bottom and both sides of the pad (width + 2 x thickness), plus about 6 inches at each end to pass through the quilt loop, fold back and run through a line-lock.

Step-by-step

1. Cut the strap to length and heat-seal the ends.
2. Sew a line-lock to one end by folding about 1 inch of strap through the line-lock's fixed bar and stitching it with a box stitch.
3. Thread the other end through the free bar of the second line-lock, leaving it adjustable.
4. Attach to the quilt. Pass the strap ends through the quilt's edge loops and connect them through the line-locks.
5. Slide the strap under the pad and tighten until the quilt edges sit snugly against the pad sides.
6. Repeat for the second strap.

Adding attachment loops to a quilt

Many quilts come with loops or snaps along the edges. If yours doesn't, adding loops is a short sewing job.

1. Choose positions. One pair at the shoulders, typically about 18–24 inches from the top edge, and one pair at the hips or knees, about 40–48 inches from the top. Lie under the quilt to confirm.
2. Cut grosgrain pieces about 3 inches long for each loop and heat-seal the ends.
3. Fold each piece in half to form a loop about 1 inch long.
4. Sew the loop at the edge seam, where the quilt's two shells are joined, so you don't compress insulation. Use a box stitch (a square with an X through it) for strength.
5. Hand-sew if needed. A finished quilt can be awkward under a machine; hand stitching through the edge seam with polyester thread works fine.

Which design should you choose?

Tips for using pad straps

• Don't overtighten. A taut quilt compresses insulation. Leave the quilt loose across the top.
• Close the neck. Pad straps handle the sides; a draft collar or neck drawcord handles the top. See the draft collar guide.
• Match your pad. Insulated pads are the other half of quilt warmth; check the R-value guide and our picks for the best sleeping pads for quilts.
• Replace old shock cord once it feels limp; it's cheap and quick.
• Store straps with the quilt in its storage sack so they don't go missing. See how to store a quilt.

Going further

Pad straps are a great warm-up for bigger gear projects. If you enjoyed this, the DIY top quilt guide walks through building a whole quilt, and quilt-making materials explains fabrics, thread and hardware. Supplies like grosgrain, cord and buckles are also available from Ripstop by the Roll if you're ordering fabric anyway.