Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping bag liners are a great way to add warmth to your sleeping bag, and they're also useful for keeping your bag clean as they can be removed and washed. Buying a liner can be expensive, but they are simple to make yourself. You can save money by repurposing old sheets, or by buying on-sale fabrics. Making your own liner also means you can customise the design to your preferences, such as adding a pillowcase or choosing a lighter fabric for summer. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to make your own sleeping bag liner, including how to sew it together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Sheet, pillowcase, sewing machine, thread, needle, scissors, packing paper, marker, snaps/ribbon, polyester fleece, zipper |
| Sewing Techniques | Sew from inside pillowcase to top edge of sheet, basic stitch, tack stitch, zig-zag stitch, satin stitch, topstitch |
| Design | Fold sheet in half lengthwise, stitch down side, leave top unsewn, cut head opening, stitch bottom and sides, sew on snaps/ribbon, hem pillow pocket |
| Benefits | Warmer, easy to wash, cheaper than buying, customizable size and fabric, extends life of sleeping bag |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right fabric
When choosing the right fabric for a sleeping bag liner, it's important to consider the intended use and your personal preferences for comfort, warmth, weight, and durability. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Fabric Type:
- Cotton: Cotton is a classic choice for sleeping bag liners due to its breathability, softness, and comfort. It is well-suited for warm weather or indoor use as it allows air to circulate, reducing the risk of overheating. Cotton also absorbs moisture well while remaining dry to the touch. However, it can stay damp longer once wet. Cotton flannel is an option if you're looking for extra warmth.
- Polyester: Polyester liners are lightweight, durable, and moisture-wicking, making them suitable for a range of conditions. They are often chosen for their quick-drying properties and minimal weight, especially for backpacking or hiking.
- Silk: Silk liners offer a luxurious option for sleeping bag liners. They are soft, durable, and temperature-responsive, making them a popular choice for alpinists and mountaineers. Silk liners are typically lightweight and can provide added warmth.
- Merino Wool: Merino wool is a soft and stretchy fabric with excellent moisture-wicking properties. It helps regulate temperature, keeping you warm while allowing your skin to breathe. Merino wool is also naturally germ-free and odour-resistant, making it ideal for extended trips.
- Synthetic Fabrics: Synthetic materials like CoolMax® are moisture-wicking and breathable, making them suitable for humid conditions. They offer some stretch and are moderately priced.
- Insulated Fabrics: Insulated liners, such as those made with Thermolite®, provide significant added warmth, extending the range of lightweight sleeping bags. They dry faster than cotton due to their hollow-core fibre insulation. However, insulated liners are generally more expensive.
Weight and Bulk:
Consider the weight and bulk of the fabric, especially if you're planning to backpack or hike with your sleeping bag liner. Heavier and bulkier fabrics, like flannel, may provide more warmth but can take up valuable space and add weight to your pack. Lighter-weight fabrics, such as silk, polyester, or merino wool, are better options for backpacking and hiking.
Climate and Temperature:
Think about the climate and temperature range you'll be using your sleeping bag liner in. Cotton liners are excellent for warm weather due to their breathability, while insulated or synthetic liners can add significant warmth to your sleeping bag in colder conditions. Silk and merino wool liners also provide added warmth while remaining lightweight.
Ease of Care:
Some fabrics, like cotton and silk, can be machine washed, making them convenient for regular use and easy to care for. Others, like merino wool, may require hand washing with specific care instructions. Consider how you'll be using your liner and whether ease of care is a priority.
In summary, choosing the right fabric for your sleeping bag liner depends on various factors, including your intended use, comfort preferences, weight considerations, and the climate you'll be using it in. By selecting a fabric that suits your specific needs, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
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Cutting the fabric
To cut the fabric for your sleeping bag liner, start by laying your fabric out flat and folding it in half lengthwise. Then, using a marker, mark out where you will cut the fabric to create the head opening. The top side of the liner should be cut straight across, so it is flush with the top of your sleeping bag. If you're using a pillowcase, line up the opening of the pillowcase along one of the sides of the sheets and sew from the inside of the pillowcase to the top edge of the sheet.
Next, decide how long you want your sleeping bag liner to be. A typical length is around 85 inches (215 cm), but you can adjust this to fit your height. Once you've determined the desired length, cut the fabric to size, leaving some excess that will be used for stitching.
If you're using a pattern, place it on the opposite side of the fabric from the side you want against your skin. This will be the exterior of your liner. Use the pattern to mark where you will cut the fabric. Cut out the fabric, then fold it in half with the exterior side facing out. This will ensure that your seams are neat and hidden on the inside of the liner.
For a more comfortable fit, consider leaving some extra room at the top opening of the liner. This will make it easier to get in and out of the liner. You can also add a pillow pocket by hemming the opposite side of the liner and sewing along three sides, leaving one vertical side open for inserting a pillow.
Finally, if you're using a zipper, you'll need to trim the fabric to accommodate the zipper. Open-ended zippers are ideal for sleeping bag liners as they allow for complete separation, similar to those used on jackets and most sleeping bags.
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Sewing the fabric together
Next, sew the snap tabs or short pieces of ribbon to the bottom and both sides. These will be used to attach the liner to the sleeping bag. With the liner exterior fabric still facing out, turn your sleeping bag inside out and place the liner on top. Mark on the bag fabric where the matching snaps or ribbons need to go. Use a tack stitch to sew the attachments to the inside of your bag.
If you want to include a pillow pocket, hem around the liner where the pillow will go. Double over this hemmed extension into a rectangle so that it fits inside the sleeping bag hood. Sew along the bottom and one vertical side of the rectangle, leaving the other vertical side open for a removable pillow.
Finally, attach the liner to the sleeping bag by snapping or tying the ribbons to the corresponding attachments on the bag. You can also sew the liner directly to the sleeping bag if you prefer.
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Attaching the liner to the bag
Next, cut out your fabric and fold it in half, exposing the exterior fabric. Stitch together the bottom and three-quarters of the open side, leaving the top unsewn. You can then sew snap tabs or short pieces of ribbon to the bottom and sides. These will be used to attach the liner to the bag and will also allow for easy removal for washing.
Now, turn your sleeping bag inside out and place the liner on top. Mark where the matching snaps or ribbons will go on the bag fabric. Use a tack stitch to sew the attachments to the inside of your bag. This will ensure a secure fit and prevent the liner from slipping or moving around inside the bag.
Finally, hem the top side of the liner to ensure it does not extend above your chin when you are inside the bag. This step is important for comfort and to ensure the liner fits snugly inside the sleeping bag.
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Adding a pillow
To add a pillow to your sleeping bag liner, you can create a pillow pocket. First, use a yardstick to draw a rectangle on one side of the doubled material. This rectangle should be the same width as the top of your sleeping bag but extend about 20 inches above the hood. This extra fabric will be doubled over to create the pillow.
On the other side of the fabric, use your pattern to mark and cut out the head opening. The top side of the liner should be cut straight across so that it is flush with the top of your sleeping bag. Once you have cut out the fabric, fold it in half so that the exterior fabric is exposed. Stitch together the bottom and three-quarters of the open side, sewing about one inch in from the fabric's edge.
Now, you will hem the pillow pocket. On the opposite side of the liner, hem the area where the pillow will go. Double over this hemmed extension into a rectangle that fits inside the sleeping bag hood. Sew along the bottom and one vertical side of the rectangle, leaving the other vertical side open for stuffing. You can stuff this pocket with a fleece or puffy jacket to create a removable pillow.
Finally, sew on any snap tabs or ribbons to the bottom and sides of the liner exterior. Turn your sleeping bag inside out and place the liner on top. Mark where the matching snaps or ribbons will go, and sew them onto the inside of the bag.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a few hours, packing paper or newsprint for tracing a pattern, a marker, liner fabric (fleece, silk, flannel, or cotton), thread, scissors, and a needle (or a sewing machine).
First, lay your bag on the floor and estimate the square yard surface area it occupies when zipped closed. Then, fold your fabric in half so that the exterior fabric is exposed. Stitch together the bottom and three-quarters of the open side. With the liner exterior fabric still facing out, sew the snap tabs or short pieces of ribbon to the bottom and both sides. Hem the top side of the liner so it does not extend above your chin when inside the bag. Finally, turn your sleeping bag inside out, place your liner on top, and mark where the matching snaps or ribbons need to go.
Sew the pillowcase to the top of the flat sheet, lining up the opening of the pillowcase along one of the sides of the sheets. Sew from the inside of the pillowcase to the top edge of the sheet. Double over this hemmed extension into a rectangle so that it fits inside the sleeping bag hood. Sew along the bottom and one vertical side of the rectangle so the pocket is closed on three sides and attached to the fabric underneath. This will leave the other vertical side open for stuffing a fleece or puffy jacket to create a removable pillow.
