What Are Duvet Bed Covers?

Duvet Filling

• There is a wide range of fillings for duvets. Choosing one depends on your budget, as well as any special requirements you have. Many synthetic fillers are hypoallergenic, and these would often be your best choice if you suffer from allergies. These fillings are generally quite inexpensive and can be just as warm as feather or down. Many people feel feather and down fillings are the most comfortable. Generally, feather or down-filled duvets will come in different weights to provide different levels of warmth. Other fillings for duvets include silk and wool. If you anticipate having to clean your duvet often, you will probably want a synthetic filling. Feathers, down, silk and wool duvets are more difficult to wash.

Duvet Shell

• The filling is inserted into a shell, very like a huge pillow case, that is sewn shut to keep the filling inside. The shell can be muslin, a cotton-polyester blend, 100-percent cotton or many other fabrics. If you will not be putting on a duvet cover, you probably want a high-quality, high-thread-count --- 300-plus threads per inch --- cotton because it will be the most comfortable. You will also need a high-thread-count fabric if you are using feathers or down for filling, since the filling will end up all over the place if you use a loosely woven fabric. Often the shell of the duvet serves as its cover, though using a separate, removable duvet cover is always a good idea.

Baffles

• High-quality duvets will have baffles sewn into the shell. The baffles separate the duvet into sections with seams that go all the way through the duvet. The purpose of the baffles is to keep the filling spread throughout the duvet instead of letting it bunch up all in one corner. Baffles are different shapes and sizes, and you need to balance the "stuffing staying in place" factor against the "larger baffles allow more fluffing" factor.

Duvet Cover

• A duvet cover is a protective, usually decorative cover that keeps the duvet clean. You can also switch out duvet covers when you want to change your decor. If you are sewing a cover yourself, the easiest method is to use two flat bed sheets. Fancy covers can be anything from home decorator fabric to cotton to silk. If you will be using the duvet as a blanket instead of folding it down at the bottom of the bed when you sleep, you'll need to consider the softness of the fabric you use for the duvet cover, and you will probably want to limit the embellishments --- buttons, fringe and so on --- to make it as comfortable as possible. Of course, you will probably want to choose a duvet cover that complements your bedroom color scheme.