Duvet Cover Instructions

Duvet Cover Instructions

Duvet covers come in a range of styles all of which are easy to make.
They are best made from wide fabrics to avoid the need for seams. These are readily available in sheeting, cotton and polycotton all of which are easy to launder.

Coordinating colours and designs can be incorporated in some of the designs to mix and match with any bedroom decor.
Plain and frilled duvet covers can be made from coordinating fabrics for each side, making them reversible.
For a soft warm feel, the back of the cover could be made from brushed cotton or flannelette.
The instructions for this simple yet elegant style of duvet cover has the opening incorporated into the hem at the lower edge, making it very versatile.
Both sides can be made in the same fabric or, when coordinating fabrics or colours are used, the cover becomes reversible giving a choice of looks.

Requirements for Plain Duvet Covers:

Suitable fabric.
Press fastening tape.
Single duvet cover 40″ (101 cms).
Double and king size duvet covers 55″ (140 cms).
Matching thread.

Measuring for a Duvet Cover:

There are three standard sizes of duvet in the U.K:
Single Duvet 53″ by 79″ (135 cms by 200 cms).
Double Duvet 79″ by 79″ (200 cms by 200 cms).
King-size Duvet 86″ by 90″ (220 cms by 230 cms).
Whichever size you make the instructions are the same.
However these do vary especially in the U.S.A. so it would be wise to check the size of your duvet.

Estimating Fabric Quantities:

•    Measure the length and width of the duvet from seam to seam.
•    To determine how many lengths of fabric are required, divide the width (including seam allowances) by the width of the fabric and round up to the next whole number.
•    Multiply this number by the length (including seam and hem allowances).
•    However, if patterned fabric is used and more than one width is required, each length must be a full number of pattern repeats.
•    Important: If you have to join widths of fabric, make sure there is a full width in the centre of the cover. Add equal part widths at each side and add an extra 1″ (2.5 cms) to the width for each seam allowance. Join widths together using a 0.5″ (12 mm) flat seam.

Making a Plain Duvet Cover:

•    Measure the width and length of the duvet on which the cover will be used.
•    Cut 2 pieces of fabric to the required size adding 1″ (2.5 cms) to the width and 3.5″ (9 cms) to the length for the seam allowance and hem. Where necessary join the widths together using 0.5″ (12 mm) flat seam and matching the pattern on the fabric.
•    Turn under a double 1″ (2.5 cms) hem at the bottom edge of each piece. Pin and stitch. Mark the centre point.
•    Separate the two halves of the press fastening tape and place one piece centrally along each hemmed edge on the right side of the fabric.

•     Pin and stitch both pieces in place along both edges of the tape. Stitch both sides of the tape in the same direction to avoid puckering.
•    Place one piece of fabric on a flat surface, right side facing.
•    Place the other piece of fabric on top, wrong side facing and raw edges matching. Fasten the poppers.
•    Pin and stitch along the top edge and sides of the cover, 0.5″ (12 mm) in from the raw edge.
•    Pin and stitch from one bottom corner of the cover, just inside the hemline, to 0.5″ (12 mm) past the end of the fastening tape.
•    Stitch across the hem twice to secure.
•    Repeat from the other corner.
•    Open the fastening tape. Turn right side out and press.