Differences Between Quilts, Comforters and Duvets

Similarites

• Quilts, comforters and duvets are all top-layer bed linens, usually placed over a fitted sheet or a sheet set. They are often decorative, in solid colors or printed fabrics, and usually filled with either cotton or polyester batting, polyurethane foam, or some type of down (feathers).

Quilts

• Quilts are usually made up of three layers, including a base layer of fabric, a middle, filling layer of cotton or polyester batting, and a top layer of fabric. They are either sewn in one large section or in a patchwork of smaller pieces put together. The three layers are quilted with thread, using either a tying technique or a running quilt stitch. The stitching often forms decorative patterns that can be seen on the top and bottom layers. Quilts originated in Egypt and China where the three layers were stitched together so that the middle layer wouldn't pucker or slip.

Comforters

• Comforters are similar to quilts, except that they are usually filled with a thicker layer of batting or down. Another difference is that they are not sewn with a quilting stitch, but often put together like a bag with the filling encased in the outer two layer of fabric. Sometimes the layers of comforters are secured together with the same tying technique used in quilting. The tying is done by sewing pieces of thread or ribbons through all three layers and into knots spaced in increments. The knots draw up the fabric to form a deep, lush padding.

Duvets

• The word duvet is French and pronounced "due-vay." It actually means "down." Duvets originated in Europe, where they are known as feather beds. People often confuse duvets and duvet covers. The duvet cover is a protective outer sack -- like a big pillow case -- for the actual duvet, which is the similar to a comforter, but often plain in color and fabric because it will be covered. This cover is not sewn onto the duvet, but is often secured on one end with buttons.