Duvet Covers (or Comforter Covers) Are Easy to Make Yourself
by Bev Marshall
Duvet covers are rather versatile when you think about it. If you want something that is really different for your bedroom, you may find expense is an issue in fancy, unique, well made fabric. Designer labels are pricey, especially if you aren’t shopping during a white sale. The versatility of the duvet makes them worth it, and a necessity for a comforter, but you don’t want to spend the money. Even an inexpensive comforter can be transformed into a stylish work of art with a unique duvet cover. They are great for your kid’s rooms because they can easily be changed when the child grows.
A teddy bear duvet might be good one day but you blink and he’s ready for a NASCAR print. You will save even more money if you make the duvet yourself. Even a novice can pull this off. Just think of a duvet as a giant pillow case with some sort of closure at the end. That doesn’t seem too hard does it? A pillow case keeps the pillow clean as you sleep on it, and the duvet does the same thing. All types of bedding should be soft and supple since it is next to your skin.
You are going to be making this yourself, so don’t scrimp on fabric. Find good quality fabric in a soft cotton or blend. I love flannel on the bottom and it is available in lovely colors and prints. It will be repeatedly washed so look for one that is yarn dyed. You can even find two sheets on a clearance table that are a steal. This would be the easiest because no cutting is involved. Wash and dry either fabric or sheets before you begin as this will curtail shrinking disappointments down the road.
If you haven’t already purchased a comforter, think about how it will look on the bed. Do you want more of an overhang on the sides or is your partner prone to stealing the covers? If so, you might want to buy a size that is a little larger than your size of bed. The completed presentation might look more finished if you do so.
Measure your comforter and add one and a half inches to the width and three and three fourths inches to the length allowing for seams and hems. If you have sheets, just look at the dimensions on the package.
If you have chosen sheets, I would suggest not buying two of the exact same thing. Make things more interesting by buying complementary patterns and colors so it can be turned over for a new look. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little.
If you have chosen fabric, you must piece it together as you won’t find fabric with the width you need. Here is where creativity comes in. You can choose lots of matching patterns and colors and stitch them together to make the top of your duvet, just measure how big you want your “blocks” of fabric to be and go from there until you have enough for the top of the duvet. If this sounds like too much work, just use one or two fabrics and do the measuring.
Place the wrong sides together and stitch with a quarter inch seam along the top sides. If a sewing machine is a foreign thing to you, there are many types of glue on the market that will do the job as well.
You can create a fanciful closure by sewing large buttons at the top, folding it over and stitching ribbons to the other side of the top. Make sure it represents a nice fold and tie the ribbons to the buttons. Nothing could be simpler. For a more country look, take strips of torn fabric and stitch them where you placed the ribbons. They will fray, but that’s the point. Your duvet cover will take on a shabbier chic look.
Let the creative side come out and decorate your bedroom in the style and color that you choose, and save money at the same time.
Is there a pattern for adding a flange to a coverlet?
sandra – indiana
Oct 27, 2009 - 00:00
What an incredibly useful site! I've been shopping online and even the duvets at overstock and clearance sales, at least the nicer ones, are more than I want to pay after getting shams, bedskirts, etc.. I'm trying this over the weekend!
Thanks again!
Ann – Guangzhou, China
Oct 10, 2009 - 17:23
I'm an American living in China, and I've discovered a wonderful thing. In China, duvet covers all have little strips of fabric (kind of like double-folded bias tape) sewn into the inside of the cover in each of the four corners. When you insert the comforter, you tie each corner on the inside to hold it. The comforter doesn't slip or bunch inside, and it works great. I'm sewing ties into all of my Western duvet covers!
Reply to Ann
Jane – Editor at AllFreeCrafts
Oct 12, 2009 - 23:16
I love this tip, and I'll be trying it out myself. So simple, but easy to see how it would work. Thank you for sharing.
Reply to Ann
Deborah – Idaho
Oct 15, 2009 - 22:35
Hi I would love to do this but I am having a hard time visualizing what you have done with the strips. Are taking the comforter and tying it with the ties that are attached to the cover? Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Debbie O in Idaho
Reply to Ann
Anne – Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct 16, 2009 - 22:46
I am confused about one thing: Are there ties on the duvet also? If not, how do you tie the cover to the duvet in the corners?
Thanks for the tip. It is always a challenge to get the duvet to fit well into the corners of the cover and stay there.
Linda – Houston
Aug 17, 2009 - 19:12
Thanks. Very informative. My niece wants me to make a pieced duvet for her and this sounds so easy. I can hardly wait to get started!
becky mcintyre – pollock pines, ca
Aug 15, 2009 - 15:29
I love the idea of using 2 different sheets for a reversible look. Thank goodness I haven't gone shopping yet!
I bought comforters at a yard sale for $4 each.
Ann Gallegos – Arkansas
Jul 30, 2009 - 15:33
I no longer use bed skirts or dust ruffles. I have a queen comforter and would like to make a duvet cover, but I also want to add more material (or sheets) on 3 sides so it will hang down and reach to the floor. Does anyone have any simple solution for my dilemma?
Thank you.
Reply to Ann Gallegos
Penny – Florida
Aug 28, 2009 - 19:37
Ann, this is probably a month too late, but just buy one of the sheets enough wider than your bed so that it will hang to the floor. Then just sew the the other sheet to it, matching the middles and making a hole just the size of your duvet. Another alternatie is to buy a fitted sheet the size of your bed in a color or pattern that matches, contrasts or blends (your choice) with the fabric or sheets you're using for the top. Take your mattress off (with lots of help if it's as heavy as mine) and put the fitted sheet on the box spring.
You are going to be making this yourself, so don’t scrimp on fabric. Find good quality fabric in a soft cotton or blend. I love flannel on the bottom and it is available in lovely colors and prints. It will be repeatedly washed so look for one that is yarn dyed. You can even find two sheets on a clearance table that are a steal. This would be the easiest because no cutting is involved. Wash and dry either fabric or sheets before you begin as this will curtail shrinking disappointments down the road.
Let the creative side come out and decorate your bedroom in the style and color that you choose, and save money at the same time.
