I took a somewhat unorthodox approach to making this quilt. Having grown up in a drapery and upholstery shop I have maintained good sewing skills and did not mind making a more complex quilt than I might otherwise have. I cannot stand drawstrings bottoms on quilts, so I chose to put a zipper in the foot of this quilt to allow ventilation and this has proven to be a superb idea. It extends the quilts upper comfort range from about 70f up to 73f and that is really a key range of temps. I sleep under this quilt 365 days a year, indoors and out, so comfort and flexibility is paramount. I also chose to quilt the APEX to the inner layer of the quilt. This was done to keep the Blaze orange inner layer from tangling in my twitchy feet and gangling legs at night. I left the outer layer of fabric unquilted to avoid mist or dew seeping through and to further avoid cold spots, I used two layers of APEX in the quilt. The inner most layer is quilted as noted above and the outer layer above it is not quilted but is only sewn around the edges. This arrangement has also proven to be an excellent design. I made the APEX quilt just lightly larger than the Enigma so that it would both wrap around the side of the Enigma and fasten to it via the Grosgrain tabs that I sewed into the quilt. Additionally, I made the APEX quilt just slightly longer than the Enigma so that it would provide adequate coverage for my shoulders and would cover my neck just the same as the Enigma. I used the waistband elastic to create a mildly gathered neck on both quilts. (I just took the top seam out of the enigma and sewed a gathering stitch with the elastic exactly as I did with the APEX quilt.) One other thing to note that I believe is important. In order to avoid a lump under my knees I made sure that the expansion/reinforcing joint at the footbox of the APEX was about 2 inches further down my legs than the Enigma. My wife insists that the fable of the 'Princess and the Pea' was written about me. Ha. What does she know, I've seen her sleep on the deck of a rolling sailboat in the middle of a storm on the ocean...seriously, some thing is wrong with her. :) Which brings me to my final point. The combination of these materials is SUPERBLY comfortable. The 1.1 ripstop un-calendered nylon inner liner is like a wonderful satin sheet, very snugly and not too slick. Perfect for this application. I sure hope the Realtree Xtra is available for some time as it is the cat's meow for an outer fabric. Soft as heck, sturdy and water repellent enough to fend off heavy dew and mist while not being crackley like many DWR fabrics. It is perfect for an outer quilt. This quilt packs down into my pack extremely well. At 27 oz it is the perfect companion for the oversize, wide/long Enigma 20 quilt which weighs in at 25.5 oz. For a combined weight of 52.5 oz or 3.28lbs I have a sleep system that is very comfortable from 73f down to 10f. I've tested it and it is fantastic. On cold nights, I sleep in only a light or mid weight long underwear and a long sleeve capilene top. If you have not yet ventured into the world of layering your quilts, I say try it, you just might like it! Ohh yeah, please don't tell my wife I said something is wrong with her. I'll end up walking with a limp for months.
