Do It Yourself

Under Quilt Foot End Draw Cord Modification

This modification will help eliminate the air pocket sometimes found under the legs.

Materials Required

                           66" Draw Cord

                           Cord Locks Salvaged from the old Draw String

                           1 Additional Cord Lock

                           1 Micro-Biner

NOTE:  If you are an existing customer and would like a set of these materials, send a self addressed, stamped ($0.75 postage), business sized envelop to:

Jacks 'R' Better, LLC

200-C Commerce Circle

Yorktown, Virginia  23693

Tools Required

For the Nest

Seam Ripper

Safety Pin

For All Other JRB Quilts

Either a Soldering Iron OR a Flat Tip Screw Driver

Safety Pin

The Nest

Procedure

1.  On the Nest CAREFULLY unstitch the draw cords at the inner corner of the "legs" and remove and discarad both cords.  Save both cord locks.  On all other JRB quilts on the foot end (the end with the tags and omni-tape) untie the figure eight knot on one end of the draw cord and remove the cordlock.  Remove the draw cord from the other end and discard.  Save both cordlocks.

1a.  On all JRB quilts except the Nest make a 1/4 inch slit in the edge of the hem at the center point of the end of the quilt using either a hot soldering iron or the heated tip of a flat tip screw driver.

2.  Slide a cordlock on one end of the new 66" draw cord and tie a figure eight knot in the end of the cord.  Pin the safety pin to the opposite end of the draw cord.  Using the safety pin, thread the 66" draw cord through the hem replacing the old draw cord.  On the Nest thread the draw cord continuously through the hem on both "legs".  Slide a cordlock on this end of the 66" draw cord and tie a figure eight knot in the end of the cord.

3.  At the center of the end hem pull the draw cord through the 1/4 inch slit created in step 1a.  Locate the center of the draw cord, fold in half and slide the remaining cordlock over the folded draw cord.  Pull the loop through several inches and tie an overhand knot leaving about a 1 inch loop.  Clip the micro-biner in the loop.

All Other JRB Quilts

Use

After installing the quilt per the standard installation instructions, using the newly installed center pull draw cord, pull the cord from the center and attach the micro-biner to the suspension cords at the secondary hitch, where they loop around the hammock suspension cord at the end of the hammock.   This will effectively pull the foot end of the quilt up against the hammock bottom.  Adjust from the corner cordlocks as necessary to optimize the attachment.

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Cape Modification to JRB Tarp

A number of customers have asked us to make the JRB 8x8 Tarp into a poncho.  For a variety of reasons we do not think that is a readily marketable product.  Additionally, a poncho of this size would be somewhat awkward in the field. 

We have designed a simple modification that can be done by nearly anyone with a needle and thread, some buttons and a piece of flat draw cord.  Rather than bring such a low demand product to market that we decided to make the plans available, since it is an easy “Do It Yourself” project.

What you need:

·         JRB 8x8 Tarp, with its diagonal seam.

·         Four sturdy 3/4 inch in diameter buttons (We recommend cannibalizing them from an Army BDU or field jacket.  If you have a field jacket and don’t use a liner, the buttons on the inside are good candidates.  A liner can still be used, free form without attachment.)

·         A 14 inch piece of flat nylon or polyester ¼ inch draw cord, black is fine.

·         A Needle and few yards of 100% nylon or polyester thread, again, black works fine. (Do not use poly core cotton wrapped thread….It will not last)

·         A ruler or tape measurer.

·         A piece of chalk.

What to Do:

·         Open the tarp, locate the ridge line seam and note the center tab.  All measurements are from this tab.

·         Along the seam, from the tab, measure and mark points at 9, 13, 17, and 21 inches.

·         Sew a button on each of these four marks.

·         Again along the seam, going in the other direction, measure and mark the points 8.75, 9.5, 12.75, 13.5, 16.75, 17.5, 20.75 and 21.5. (It is best to actually mark just to the side of the seam.)

·         Take the 14 inch piece of draw cord and heat melt the ends to keep them from fraying.

·         Lay the flat draw cord along the marked center seam, beginning about ½ inch above the first mark (approximate 8 inch point) and extending to about ½ inch below the 21.5 mark (approximate 22 inch point).

·         Sew the cord to the center seam at each of the marks.

·         Seal the seam at each point of stitching.

·         Smile, you are done.

How to Use:

·         Fold the JRB Tarp along its diagonal ridge line, buttons exposed. Place over your shoulders and/or pack and button 1, 2, 3 or 4 buttons as desired.  For shorter hikers or when negotiating hilly terrain the long front corners are readily shortened by turning them under and tucking into a belted waistline or fastening the corner tabs over a button before inserting it into its respective button “hole”.

·         Since there is no hood, users of this modification should include a wide full brimmed hat.

Notes:

If you don’t have an old military service field shirt or jacket these buttons are generally obtainable at dry cleaners that launder these items.  Also, ask around, you will be surprised how many people have one of these shirts/jackets in the garage, etc.

Alternately, any reasonably sized and sturdy buttons work, just modify the points for sewing the ribbon to match the button size selected.

¼ inch nylon or polyester gross grain ribbon is an easy substitute for the flat draw cord. Both of these items are readily available at sewing stores by the yard for pennies.

If you have a really small neck you may want to mark all points one inch closer to the center tab for a closer fit at the neck.