How to Design a Comforter

Find the fabric you want your comforter to be made of. Take pillows, paint swatches or anything else you want the comforter to match to the fabric store with you, if possible. Decide if you want your comforter to be machine washable. If so, make sure to choose a fabric that does not require dry cleaning. Before purchasing the fabric, take a swatch of it home to make sure it goes with all of your bedroom decor.

Measure the length and width of the bed you are designing the comforter for. Add extra inches to account for the portion of the comforter that hangs down from the mattress. This will be a matter of individual preference. You might want to measure a comforter that you like to get your measurements, or refer to the chart in the resource section and use measurements from your favorite bedding designer. Add six inches seam allowance to the width and two to the length. Once you are certain of the fabric you want, purchase this amount.

Choose cording or ribbon to accent your comforter. Because large comforters are very wide, you will need to sew lengths of fabric together in order to get the width you need. Sewing ribbon over the seams or inserting cording into them can make them part of the design. Keep in mind that grosgrain ribbon will hold up much better than satin ribbon. You might also want to trim the edges of your comforter with cording. If you want cording that is an exact match to the comforter, buy plain cording, and have it covered with the comforter fabric.

Think about applying an applique to your comforter. An applique will give your comforter a unique look and can be very stylish. You can usually find someone to add a custom applique or embroidery for a very low cost. Shops that make custom shirts for team and other organizations often have this capability. Take the fabric to be appliqued before the comforter is sewn together.

Consider corner seaming your comforter for a unique streamlined designer look, as shown in Apartment Therapy Los Angeles.

Buy batting for your comforter. You can choose a luxurious option such as organic wool batting, or choose cotton or polyester batting for a more economical choice. When choosing the batting, consider how thick you want your comforter to be, as well as the degree of warmth you want. Wool batting is an excellent choice for cold climates, but is inappropriate for a tropical climate.

Put your design in writing. Include specific measurements and a drawing of the finished comforter. Take your plan and your materials to a seamstress with an industrial sewing machine, as a comforter is too unwieldy to be sewn properly with a home machine. Enjoy your designer comforter.