Hello friends, thank you so very much for all the lovely comments on my Christmas duvet.
As promised, I'm back with a tutorial so you can make a comforter/ duvet of your own.
Let's start, shall we?
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Finished size: 66" x 77" (you can, of course, make your duvet smaller or bigger by simply using less or more 6" patchwork squares)
Materials needed: 168 - 6" squares of medium weight quilting fabric
high loft polyester batting (I used Soft and Craft up to 3/4" loft polyester batting)
flat/queen sized cotton flat sheet (or 5 yards of fabric if you prefer) for the backing
#8 pearl cotton for hand quilting
matching thread
505 basting spray
scissors
pins
walking foot for your sewing machine (optional)
wonder clips (optional)
hand sewing needle and thread
Step 1: Arrange your patchwork squares in a pleasing design and assemble the duvet top. Press it to get rid of all the wrinkles.
Step 2: Place batting on a flat surface (my carpeted floor worked beautifully as the batting stuck to the carpet which prevented it from shifting), smooth it out making sure there are no creases or puckers. Put duvet patchwork top on top of batting (duvet top is right side up) and baste.
I used basting spray for this step. I'm sure basting pins would work too if you prefer, but they might make the whole process a bit more tricky.
**Polyester batting does not seem to want to stick to fabric as easily as cotton batting. That's why I sprayed both batting and back of duvet top with 505 spray to help with adhesion. Worked like a charm :)
Step 3: Use scissors to trim batting to the exact same size as the duvet top. Set the batting + duvet top aside for a little bit.
Step 4: Press the sheet/ backing to remove all the wrinkles and place it on a flat surface right side up. Smooth it making sure there are no creases or puckers. Place duvet top+ batting on top of the sheet/ backing (right sides of the top and sheet/ backing are touching). Make sure both parts of duvet are nice and flat, but don't stretch it too much so you don't distort the shape.
Step 5: Pin all the way around duvet holding together all three layers.
Step 6: Take this "duvet sandwich" to your sewing machine and stitch all the way around using 1/2" seam allowance, taking the pins out as you go. Make sure to leave about 10" opening in one of the sides (this opening is for turning duvet right side out).
I prefer to use my walking foot and sew over the batting as this seems to be the best way to avoid bunching and shifting of layers.
Step 7: Trim the backing to match the size of duvet top and batting. Turn the duvet right side out through the opening from the previous step. Push the corners out to make them nice and pointy. Roll the side seams with your fingers to have nicely straight sides. (you could give your duvet a little press here to help with setting the seams, but be very careful not to use iron that's too hot as it can melt the batting)
Step 8: Use pins or wonder clips to hold the opening closed and stitch it using blind stitch. (you can find lots of good tutorials on blind stitch online)
Step 9: At this point my backing was sticking to the batting quite nicely all on its own and I saw no need to do any more basting the layers together. If, however, you feel like your layers are shifting you can very loosely pin baste your duvet to help with keeping things even and straight.
Step 10: Quilt your duvet any way you like. I did hand quilting along the middle of each row and column as well as used my machine to do a few short back and forth stitches where my patches meet.
Step 11: Give your duvet a nice bath in the washing machine, tumble dry on low and Enjoy!!!
Step 11: Give your duvet a nice bath in the washing machine, tumble dry on low and Enjoy!!!
Easy peasy, wasn't it? Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. And, as always, I'd love to see your creations. Please add pictures of your finished duvets to my Flickr group (sotak handmade inspired).
Svetlana