common threads
Contrary to the popular narrative that more options are better, we make and offer only a few items and they all have the same components in common, hence “Common Threads”:
Fabric: Translucent un-dyed down-proof nylon ripstop fabric (exclusive to us) is filled with 850 fill-power grey goose down. Yes, you can see the feathers - that’s the whole idea. The fill is sufficient for warmth and light enough to keep our promise of Simple. Lightweight. Warm. Unless otherwise specified, Zig-Zag stitching is of random colors strategically sewn to hold the goose down in place - just enough.
(Interesting fact: most ripstop nylon is commonly known as “parachute cloth”, but ours is actually made for sewing parachutes. Certified PIAC44378T4 - a Military Spec for parachutes!)
simple. lightweight. warm
Thread Colors: each item is sewn with completely random (one-at-a-time) thread color to enhance the individuality of each product.
The quilting we use to hold the down in place is a zig-zig stick pattern to accentuate the thread color.
Variations: choose from the following random thread color combinations. Each item it a on-of-a-kind thread color combination.
Choose between these stitch color options:
PLAIN: all of the quilt stitching is a matching neutral color.
PARTY: anything goes, including neon colors.
PHUN: tasteful, colorful, but nothing too outrageous.
common threads
Hot Cutting: each item is individually “hot cut” in order to completely seal the edges so that seams will never unravel.
This is particularly important with very lightweight fabrics like our 1.1 ounce translucent nylon.
We learned this “back in the day” watching high altitude tents being cut and sewn.
It’s not completely necessary for more earth-bound products like ours, but we can, so we do.
one-at-a-time
Insulation:
We use goose down for insulation because it consistently has more plumules and fewer feathers with prickly shafts or barbs which tend to poke through the fabric layers.
Ours is especially lofty. We use 850 FillPower.
“Back in the day” I measured all kinds of different down from different sources and species. At the Hanky, it’s pretty simple: we buy the best we can consistently obtain: 850 fill-power.
In general, fill power is measured by filling a cylinder with a single ounce of down and seeing exactly how much air it will loft - hence a comparative measure of the potential warmth of the down itself.
We use gray color because it looks more natural and it shows through the translucent fabrics so you can see what keeps you warm.
It’s all done with intention as part of the design.
lofty ambitions