How to make your own sleeping bag liner? A sleeping bag liner is a material you can put inside a sleeping bag to keep you warm in cold temperatures. It is usually cotton or flannel and is soft, a good insulating blanket.
Sometimes people also use it as an emergency blanket to keep them warm if caught in the wilderness without their sleeping bag.
The only downside of this material is that it holds moisture, so one might have to change out their liner when it gets wet.
If you’re looking for a warm and cozy sleeping bag, you might want to make a sleeping bag liner before summer hits! Follow these simple steps to make a sleeping bag liner.
How to make your own sleeping bag liner?
Here are 5 easy steps to make your own sleeping bag liner:
Step 1: gather materials
You will need
1. A cotton sleeping bag liner is a flannel blanket sold at most department stores or found at thrift stores. You can also make your own sleeping bag liner.
2. Scissors (a pair of scissors is good enough)
3. A sewing machine/sewing machine needle (optional)
3. Thread [usually red or black] (can be a Christmas decoration, if you are using your sewing machine for this gift)
4. Sewing thread (the same kind as you used in the previous step)
Step 2: cut
First, you will have to measure out your sleeping bag liner. If you are using a ready-made liner, this is most likely done for you! For all other liners, measure out the length of the “top” of your sleeping bag and half that length again.
For example, if the top of your bag is 96 inches long, then cut it to 48 inches long. The width should be about 18 inches.
Step 3: make the flap
This is optional if you don’t want a flap.
If you want a flap, cut out a rectangle of fabric that will be your flap by measuring out how tall it should be on an angle and then cutting the rectangle that way.
Width of 3 inches would be sufficient for a small sleeping bag liner. Make holes to put in snaps, but not too big. You can also sew the piece on if you don’t want to use snaps; either way is fine.
Step 4: put in the snaps
If you decided to put in a flap, now is the time to put in your snaps. Put the male part of the snap on one side of your flap, then put the female part on the other side facing it.
Put it through the holes. Once you have done this, pull and make sure that it is closed tightly by pulling each end at once. This helps ensure that it will stay closed when placed in a bag and not have cold air leak out from under it.
Step 5: sew
Now that your flap is on, you will have to stitch it shut. Start with a few stitches at the top, enough so that it won’t unravel.
Then sew the rest of the way around each side, making sure to close all of the holes and leave a little bit open enough to put your fingers through.
Step 6: test
Now is a good time to test if your face fits snugly into the sleeping bag liner. Put both arms in and make sure they fit comfortably. If they don’t, you might have to make your liner a little bigger.
Step 7: finish sewing the top
Now that your arms fit, pull them out of the sleeping bag liner and finish sewing up the hole left earlier. Pull your stitches tight so they won’t come undone while sleeping in them. Now your sleeping bag liner is done! It should be soft, tight, and warm.
Step 8: enjoy
Go on a trip or use it at home as an emergency blanket; you can even replace the cotton with polar fleece or flannel to make your sleeping bag liner even warmer.
You now have an awesome homemade gift for that special someone who goes camping a lot or even likes to sleep in their own bed.
This is a great gift for animal lovers who like to sleep in the outdoors, as well as someone who needs warm clothes this winter.
Whichever option you choose, having the right sleeping bag liner can make the difference between being cold or comfortable in your sleeping bag. You should be thankful that you have this option to keep yourself warm when camping!
What Can I Use As A Sleeping Bag Liner?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can use as an alternative to a sleeping bag liner, but they typically fall into one of the following categories:
Cotton or Polyester flannel sheets
You can also use old cotton sheets that you no longer need. They make great blankets and keep you warm but won’t hold moisture or burst in a fire. They are also easy to sew with your sewing machine and make great emergency blankets.
If you use a flannel sheet, make sure that it is 100% cotton, or it will not be good for keeping you warm. Look for fabrics with high “Thermal Insulation” values since they will be better at keeping you warm.
What Is A Sleeping Bag Liner Made Of?
Sleeping bag liners are made from either flannel or polar fleece. These were used as bedsheets because of their wonderful low-density and high insulating abilities.
They also stave off condensation from forming on the bedsheets and make sleeping much more comfortable.
The linings are very popular with people who camp for very cold weather because they will keep you warm in a sleeping bag at temperatures down to 20 degrees below zero. However, this is not the only reason why people get it.
A liner will also protect you from your sleeping bag, which is important because the fabrics on some sleeping bags can be very abrasive to your skin.
Liner also protects against dampness and is used by mountaineers to dry their bags. Liners are also a favorite among backpackers because they can roll up small and take up any additional room in your pack.
Can You Use A Blanket As A Sleeping Bag Liner?
No, you cannot. A sleeping bag liner is made of materials specifically designed to be warm and comfortable. Blankets are made out of fabric that prevents water from passing through the material.
If a fire were to ignite inside your tent or even near it, a blanket could easily go up in flames and get carried off by the wind of fire. Do not use blankets as substitutes for sleeping bag liners.
How Much Warmth Does A Liner Add To A Sleeping Bag?
The liners that you lay on top of your sleeping bag are what keep the bag’s heat locked inside of the sleeping bag to keep you warm.
While a liner may not be enough to keep you warm in below-freezing temperatures, it will add some warmth to your sleeping bag.
This is quite important because it helps to keep you alive in low temperatures. If you have the right material, adding a liner onto your sleeping bag will add about 5-8 degrees to its temperature rating.
Conclusion
Camping can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be dangerous. It would help if you always took precautions when going out on an overnight excursion. Invest in a quality sleeping bag and good quality sleeping bag liner.
Before heading out into the wilderness, make sure you are prepared with the right sleeping bag liner. If you aren’t, it may result in a miserable stay in your tent and even be dangerous.
I do not recommend that you spend close to $100 on a high-quality liner; however, I do think that they will keep you warm and comfortable at night. If you want more information about the liners that I have reviewed above, click on their links below.
