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By making your own duvet cover and pillowcases, you can mix and match the fabrics so that they complement the overall color scheme of your bedroom perfectly.

A duvet cover is easy to make because it is basically a large, rectangular bag with a fastening at one end. Sewing pillow cases to match or complement your new duvet cover completes the new look for your bedlinen.

When choosing the fabric, remember that the bed is probably the largest piece of furniture in the room, so that the duvet cover automatically becomes a focal point. Light colors give a fresh, pretty look while rich, dark colors create a warmer, more sophisticated mood.

You can use the same fabric for both sides of the cover, or choose a different one for each side. A reversible cover is an interesting option, as you can mix plain and printed fabrics or contrasting colors and change the look of your bed in an instant by turning the duvet over. Decorative trimmings such as ribbons, lace or piping add an extra touch of luxury.

Bedlinen has to be practical as well as pretty. Pure cotton and polyester cotton mixes are popular choices for duvet covers because they are machine-washable and reasonably inexpensive. Look out for polyester cotton sheeting fabric which comes in a wide range of plain colors and coordinating prints.

Cut the cover pieces to the same size as the duvet, so that it fills the cover completely, looking plump and inviting, but before you cut the fabrics check the measurements of your duvet as it may vary from a standard size.

Sheeting comes in 90in (230cm) widths, which means that it is wide enough to cover one side of a king-size duvet. With narrower fabrics, you need to join strips to obtain the correct width. Avoid an unsightly center seam by joining a narrow fabric strip to either side of a full fabric width.

Before you begin you will need:

fabric
scissors
matching thread
press fastener tape
lace frill (optional)

Cutting out and hemming:

1. Cut a rectangle for the front, and one for the back each measuring the width of the duvet plus 11/2in (4cm) for seams, by the length plus 23/4in (7cm) for seams and hem. Turn under a double 1in (2.5cm) hem along the lower edge of each rectangle. Pin then machine stitch.

Preparing the fastener:

2. Cut a length of press fastener tape for the opening 391/2in (100cm) for a single duvet, 59in (150cm) for a double or queen and 63in (160cm) for a king-size duvet. Undo the fastening and pin one part centrally to the right side of each cover piece along the hem.

Stitching

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