Make your own duvet cover set

September 19, 2019

There is nothing more satisfying than jumping into brand new crisp bedding at night. Well, maybe a crisp new bedding made by you!

It's really easy to sew - just few straight lines!

Here is a recipe:

Size

First decide on size as it will determine how much fabrics you need.

Single size duvet cover has a dimensions of 150cm x 200cm.

Toddler size is 120cm x 150cm.

You need to take under consideration what fabric you want to use.

If the fabric pattern goes in one direction like on Mint Pandas Cotton you will need to cut 2 pieces and join them because otherwise one side of the duvet will look upside down.

If the pattern is non-directional, like on Butterflies Cotton, you can cut your fabric on the fold. It looks more neat and it's one less seam to do :)

Cutting

Here is a cutting layout for both fabric options:

I like to use 1/2" Seam Allowance (SA) but you can use any SA you like just remember about adding it to your calculations. I've rounded up 1/2" to 1cm for the calculations.

For a single duvet cover measuring 150cm x 200cm, made with non-directional fabric you need just over 4 meters + 1/2 meter for a pillow cover.

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This is how I calculated the dimensions for single duvet cover:

Length - 200cm+200cm (front and back) + 1cm+1cm (first bottom edge fold) + 1.5cm+1.5cm (second fold) = 405cm

For directional fabric you need to add extra seam allowance on both pieces.

Width is 150cm + 1cm +1cm (SA on both sides) = 152cm

Pillowcase

Standard pillowcase measures 50cm x 75cm.

You only need to cut one long stripe of fabric. I usually cut 52cm wide stripe of 160cm wide fabric and that gives just the right size. The flap is 14cm long.

If you need the custom size this is how it should be calculated:

Sewing Duvet Cover

Fold the fabric length in a half right sides together so the two short sides meet. Sew two long edges together. If you’re using directional print fabric you also need to sew the other short sides together

I sew the two long sides only on overlocker as it does two jobs in one - sews and makes the edges nice and neat.

If you don't have one just sew a straight stitch first and then a short zigzag along the raw edges so they don't fray and trim extra seam allowance.

Next is hemming the bottom of the duvet cover. Fold over 3/8" first all around and then fold again 5/8". Seam gauge is a great tool to keep it easy and accurate. Then sew close to the inside fold all around.

Once the bottom is hemmed it's time to make a corners. Align the hemmed edges together so the side seam is on the fold. Sew past the hem stitch on the inside about 10cm long stitch. Make sure you back-stitch few times at the end.

Repeat on the other side and turn right side out. You should have a nice neat corner.

Time for poppers

I prefer to use poppers as they're so convenient but you can also use buttons and make buttonholes.

For poppers you need the press and the set of matching popper buttons.

One set consist of 2 cover pins, 1 male and female popper.

You can use as many or as little sets as you want. For a single duvet I usually use 4 sets evenly spaced.

Mark your point where you want the poppers to go. First pierce the hem with the cover pin from the inside to the outside. When you press the top hem onto the cover pin it will mark the place of the matching popper. Fit the popper button onto the pin and press with the tool.

And that's it - the duvet cover is done!

Let's make a pillowcase

First hem the short raw edges exactly like the bottom of the duvet cover. Turning hem once pressing with iron and turning again. Then sew the hem close to the inside fold.

Fold one short edge with right side of the flap to the right side of pillow fabric. The fold should be about 14cm long. Press the fold with iron.

Open up the fold and sandwich the other edge inside the fold - take the opposite short edge and bring it to the line of the fold and cover with the flap.