How to Sew Box Baffles for Down Feathers
Jackets that use loose filling, such as down or polyfill, utilize individual compartments called box baffles to contain the stuffing so that it stays in place throughout the garment and doesn't sink to the bottom of the sleeves and hem. Creating box baffles when sewing is easy, although it can be messy once you insert the down feathers inside the item you are sewing. Down feathers are lightweight and can float in the air before they are inserted into the baffles. It's a good idea to work in a room without any running fans or breezes coming in from a window. Even though down is light, the feathers can sink because of gravity or laundering the object.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Down for stuffing
- Ruler or yard stick
- Washable fabric marker
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Place the two pieces of fabric together you are using to create your down blanket or clothing. Pin them to keep them from sliding around. Decide how far apart you want the baffles to be. Larger baffles allow the down to shift around more than smaller baffles. Four-inch baffles provide good stability for the feathers.
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2
Place the ruler or yardstick on the fabric so that it evenly lines up with the edges of the fabric. Draw straight lines with a temporary fabric marker to guide your sewing. It's easy to sew a crooked seam when working with large pieces of fabric, and the guidelines will keep your seams straight. Mark each line that you will stitch down to create the baffles. After you have created the horizontal or vertical lines, repeat this step to mark the perpendicular stitching lines to complete the squares.
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3
Sew down either the horizontal or vertical lines with the machine, removing the pins as you proceed. Overall, it's faster if you sew down the longest lines first before filling, since it's a little more work to sew the baffles once the down feathers are inside the object.
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Stitch all but one edge of the item closed on the outside of the seam allowances. Leave one edge free so that you can insert the feathers.
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Insert the feathers into the baffles using your hands, evenly distributing the feathers. It's easier to get the feathers to the far end of the baffles if you use your hand and arm to push the feathers farther into the baffles and then shaking the project to even out the filling.
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Stitch down the other side of the baffles once you have filled the item and are satisfied with the distribution of feathers inside. Carefully follow the stitching lines so that your baffle boxes are the same size throughout.
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Tips & Warnings
Utilize tightly woven fabrics to make the quilt. Even though the down feathers are fairly soft, they can work their way through your project, reducing the amount of fill inside the project.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
