Duvets are a lifesaver in certain countries with very harsh cold weather. In warmer, tropical countries, going to sleep is as easy as lying on your back and closing your eyes and counting sheep. People in those parts don’t have any trouble sleeping. But the situation is very different if you live in Alaska or northern parts of Europe where sleeping is a daily struggle for common people, except when you’ve got a duvet to keep you warm throughout the night.

What is a duvet? And what does it do?

A duvet is an item used for sleeping, a soft bag filled with, back then, feathers or down of an elder duck to provide insulation. It is used as a blanket for keeping warm while sleeping. Why feathers of an elder duck are used isn’t certain. Perhaps they believe it provides better insulation compared to feathers of other domestic fowls.

Historians agree that duvets originated in countryside Europe as far back as the 16th century. English travel-writer Thomas Nugent wrote about duvets in his book The Grand Tour in 1749.

You can make your own duvet covers if you don’t feel like buying one. Here are the materials you’ll need.

Duvet Cover Measurements
Bed size – King
Finished measurements – 102 by 108
Size of top before seams and hems – 103 by 111
45″ fashion fabric requirements – 9 1/2 yards
60″ fashion fabric requirements – 6 1/2 yards

Take note these fashion fabric requirement do not take matching prints into consideration. Depending on the print, you might need more or less fabric. Smaller prints don’t require matching and it’s a good idea buy some extra fabric for the pillows and curtain.

Sewing directions.

Cutting Chart
Bed size – King
45″ fashion fabric center – (1) 45″ by 111″ long
45″ fashion fabric side sections – (2) 30″ by 111″ long
60″ fashion fabric center – (1) 60″ by 111″ long
60″ fashion fabric side sections – (2) 22 1/2″ by 111″ long

Connect the sections using 1/2″ serge or zigzag seams to prevent the fabric from fraying. Then lay out the top and back sections using a pin to secure the ends of the two sections together. Using 1/2″ seams, stitch the bottom and side seams together, again on a serge or zigzag pattern for allowance. From the top edge measure around 2 1/2″, marking about 1/3 of the way from the sides and then stitching a seam measuring 2 1/2″ from the top edge of the mark. Press the top edge down to form a hem, around two inches long, and then pin to hold it in place and stitch. Lastly stitch some buttons around 5″ apart. Make sure they are properly aligned with the button holes on the other side of the duvet cover.

A duvet is something you can’t live without in certain parts of the world. If you don’t feel like buying one, why not make your own, it’s easy, as long as you follow these instructions. All you need are the right materials and basic sewing knowledge. Or you could also have your resident tailor make one just for you. You’ll be sleeping comfortably in your own duvet in no time.

Author Bio: Duvets are a definite must especially when you like to sleep sound and well throughout a cold night. You can even find small communities dedicated to discussing duvets on the Internet. Please visit King Size Duvet Cover for more information on top quality duvets.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: duvet, duvet cover, how to make your own duvet