by Laura Fleming

Created on: August 06, 2010

Duvet is French for “down” and most duvets are like puffy soft big pillows on a bed filled with down or feathers, or a combination of both. Duvets originated in rural Europe and were made from eider duck down feathers because of their insulating qualities.

In Europe, they traditionally use only a duvet cover for warmth, whereas in the US you may find that duvets are used like a comforter or quilt with a sheet and maybe a blanket as part of the bedding ensemble. Although a duvet is quite different from a down comforter and quilt you can use the same method of creating a duvet cover to make a cover for those as well to give them a fresh new look. 

One of the benefits of a duvet cover is that you can change it seasonally or make it reversible, and it’s virtually easy to make. I’m going to share two methods of creating a duvet cover with you as well as provide some decorative options. You can use bedding sheets, or I have included directions on how to measure a duvet using yard goods from your local fabric store.

Basics – Using Sheets

Purchase two flat sheets that have an overall dimension larger than your duvet. You will want to use a good quality, high thread count sheet and pre-wash it before working on your project.

Measure your duvet cover and add 2” to your width and length, unless otherwise noted in the closure method you will be using.

Leave the finished top edge of the sheet uncut. Using one side as your finished edge, measure your width and mark your fabric at intervals down the length of the piece and cut. This will leave you with one scrap piece of fabric to use decoratively elsewhere in the room.

Next determine the type of closure you would like to use based on the style of the room, fabric and your taste.

Zipper: based on the width of the duvet purchase two zippers that will cover almost the whole width.  Place the two zippers with the pull tab facing each other in the center of your top piece close together. Mark your fabric where the zipper end stops land on each side.  With right sides together sew from each mark to the outside edges on each side. On the wrong side press, your seam flat. On the right side slip, your zippers underneath the opening matching the tab ends in the center, and position your zippers in place and baste to secure them.  Sew your zippers in place permanently using a zipper foot. At this point, you may want to add some top stitching on the outside to hold the seam allowance

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