DIY Poncho Liner Under Quilt (PLUQ) (Sew and No-Sew)

Here’s another one of my early illustrations, updated and improved, showing how to convert a US Army poncho liner into an under quilt.

In my early hammock camping days, I couldn’t afford a down-filled under quilt and I most often used a closed-cell foam pad when temperatures dropped. I still wanted  to try an under quilt with my Hennessy Hammock, so I started playing with a poncho liner.

The no-sew version works okay, but it’s difficult to seal the edges 100 percent. The sewn version is nice if you want to add some additional insulation, like a layer of Climashield® or other synthetic insulation.

diy-no-sew-PLUQ

diy-Sewn-PLUQ

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96 responses to “DIY Poncho Liner Under Quilt (PLUQ) (Sew and No-Sew)”

  1. william Avatar
    william

    I’m lucky enough to have my dads old Vietnam era poncho so no sewing for me! Only threading. But I’ve been using his poncho as a tarp for a while now, it’ll be interesting to see it being used for a different role in hanging

    Reply
  2. Stephen Spencer Avatar
    Stephen Spencer

    I just did breezy nights using a modified version PLUQ. I put a $20 emergency/space blanket between my hammock and my poncho liner. the aluminized plastic helped block the wind (gusts in the upper 20s). Throw a 15 degree bag on for a top-quilt and was more comfortable at 26 degrees than I have been in the past at 40.

    Reply
    1. Derek Avatar
      Derek

      Nice!

      Reply
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    […] DIY Poncho Liner Under Quilt (PLUQ) (Sew and No-Sew) […]

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    […] DIY Poncho Liner Under Quilt (PLUQ) (Sew and No-Sew) […]

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  5. David Avatar
    David

    When you state that it should be folded before the halfway point to create the baffle, how much before? Two, three, five inches? And I’m assuming the baffle must be there with or without added insulation to work efficiently, or?

    Reply
    1. Derek Avatar
      Derek

      What you are trying to do is create a space between the inside and outside layers. It’s tricky and a little variable. My goal with the poncho liner was to create a simple DIY project and not get overly technical to keep it approachable. A real baffled quilt is more complex to build, certainly. The gap you make is to help keep the insulation from getting smashed. Use some pins and play with a few inches folded over.

      Reply
  6. C Avatar
    C

    People that know me well know I sleep outside seven months of the year. I really do like tents better than houses. So, I have a lot of experience with sleeping outside but I don’t know anything about hammocks.

    The reason I started this whole process was because I am new to hammocks and I hate being cold but I didn’t want to spend a fortune on an professionally made under quilt which can cost around $400-$500. I also hate buying (expensive) single use items. What I really like about this system is that everything can come apart and can be used on beds or as a throw when not in use for the hammock.

    There are two parts to this system: the “under quilt” has a wool blanket and a down comforter and the “over quilt” has a down comforter and optional wool blanket and fleece cotton/silk sheet if you find the wool blanket scratchy. Each layer can be removed to control the temperature inside the hammock.

    1. Two 700 fill down comforters 60″x72″: $30/each. (Two old rectangle down sleeping bags would work too.) One for the under quilt and one for the over quilt.

    2. Two 60″x72″ 100% wool blankets. I made my own from wool fabric which cost me about $100 for both blankets. (Two old wool blankets would work well too.) One for the under quilt and one for the over quilt.

    3. Two 72″ pieces of cording for attaching the under quilt to the hammock’s hardware for the tarp. (I’m using a Hennessy Expedition Asymmetrical hammock with a zip.)

    4. Two storage bags that came with the down comforters are converted into small pillows. The head pillows has a small hand towel rolled up inside. I find this small pillow works well in a hammock. The second bag is stuffed more and used under the knees while on one’s back or between the knees if on one’s side. Hammocks don’t work well for tummy sleepers.

    For the under quilt the wool blanket is on top of the down comforter and wrapped around the comforter to protect the material from the cording. The reason the wool blanket is first is to allow the down to loft properly below the wool blanket. Depending on the weather the wool blanket or down comforter could be used by itself.

    The knots for the under quilt are very simple. Gather the end of the blanket and comforter until there is only about 14-18″ width. I have it wider at the head (for the shoulders) and less for the feet. Wrap the cording around the fabric three times and follow by three half-hitches. Just play around with it until you get it right for your size and hammock.

    For the over quilt there are many choices. I tend to be cold when I got to bed, then get hot during the night and then get cold just before dawn. I like having layers to add and remove during the night. The cotton/silk sheet alone could be used on very hot nights. Normally, I add a wool blanket next for added warmth then the down comforter on top for the colder nights. If that’s not enough, being fully dressed before going to bed is the final answer for the coldest nights. (Wool socks and a wool hat can really made a difference in very cold weather.)

    Thank you Derek for your book. I enjoyed reading it and studying the diagrams. I could email you picture of this system if you like.

    Reply
    1. Derek Avatar
      Derek

      Thanks! I would like to see it.

      Reply
  7. Andreas Mildner Avatar
    Andreas Mildner

    C ! Please send me pics to.
    amildner75@gmail.com

    Reply
  8. Steve Berthiaume Avatar
    Steve Berthiaume

    I’d like pics too!

    Reply
  9. Steve Berthiaume Avatar
    Steve Berthiaume

    I have an HH deep jungle zip; what about just putting the poncho liner and/or a sleeping bag in between the bottom layers? would that be more effective than the reflective bubble pad? Or maybe wrapping the pad in the poncho liner would help cut down on some of the condensation…

    thanks,

    -Steve

    Reply
    1. Derek Avatar
      Derek

      Smashing insulation between layers can help to a point but their effectiveness is in their loft. Condensation is eliminated with a breathable layer that allows insensible moisture to escape while trapping heat. The reflective bubble wrap is essentially a radiant vapor barrier. It helps to a point but moisture build up can be a problem.

      Reply
  10. robert plantz Avatar
    robert plantz

    I just mad one of these. What I did was combined the sew an no-sew design. I threaded the shock cord through the existing channels and then basically just sewed it up. It works great. Functions like the sew version and took about five minutes to sew and it without having to cut anything or get additional materials.

    Reply
  11. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    This is absolutely perfect. I’ve got a handful of “woobies” that I collected over the years that have been itching to find new purpose. Being new to hammock camping, I didn’t want to spend an extra $150 on something that I knew someone had a better plan for. Thanks for this plan. I’ll be putting it to good use this fall. Do you have instructions to turn a woobie into a top quilt as well, or is it pretty much the same?

    Reply
    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      Has anybody tried filling the sewn woobie with a mylar blanket? If so, what was the result? Approx. temp rating? Did it make a significant difference vs a standard stuffing material?

      Reply
      1. Derek Hansen Avatar
        Derek Hansen

        I’ve tried using a mylar blanket on a few early under quilts I made and it wasn’t very effective. First, mylar is not breathable, so it acts more like a vapor barrier than true insulation.

        Reply
    2. Derek Hansen Avatar
      Derek Hansen

      Thank you! I do have instructions for making a top quilt in my book and here.

      Reply
  12. Luca Senettin Avatar
    Luca Senettin

    I’m writing you from Italy, sorry for my bad english… Your’s site is really great, and full of tips and triks. Love it so much!

    Reply
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