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Had it with store-bought comforters; guess I'll make my own (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 6/29/08 6:39 PM ET
About two years ago I bought a bed-in-a-bag set from JCPenney. It was the one comforter set in the entire world my husband and I could agree on. I got it home, threw the sheets in the wash, and then went to make the bed up. The whole comforter is cut unevenly; the bottom edge is at least 4" longer than the top. It has a pattern, which makes the bad cutting even more obvious, because the stripe is narrower at the top than at the bottom. Well, I thought, whatever; we'll make do and I'll keep my eyes open for something else. Now it's pilling like crazy (which I can't figure out; I've never washed it in a commercial washer) and it looks ratty.
The Linens N Things near me is closing (guess they're feeling the economy), and I found a bed-in-a-bag for $35! I was thrilled, and thought my husband might even like it too. And he did! So we got it out and put it on the bed, and...
This one is cut just as unevenly as the last one. Good thing I didn't wash the sheets right away.
What is UP with this?? I've never had any trouble with this before, and my parents have gone through lots of sets from stores like Linens N Things and JCPenney and all the other less expensive home dec stores and never had any trouble either. My old set (which my husband decided is too girly) was fine, and so were the two sets before that one. I swear, everything you buy in stores these days is complete crap and nothing holds up. I guess that's what we get for outsourcing all the labor to sweatshops that use child labor and pay them pennies a day.
This is mostly just a rant, but I guess I'm going to have to make my own comforter or quilt. I thought I'd start with a duvet cover, since those seem easier than a whole comforter or pieced quilt. But if anyone has any pattern suggestions, or any advice on how to fix the set I've got, or advice on somewhere better to shop, please let me know... The queen-sized bed sets are pretty expensive for my budget, and I don't want to spend a fortune, especially if it isn't going to hold up for more than two years. Although I'd save for a nice quilt if it were made well.
Thanks for listening!
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The Linens N Things near me is closing (guess they're feeling the economy), and I found a bed-in-a-bag for $35! I was thrilled, and thought my husband might even like it too. And he did! So we got it out and put it on the bed, and...
This one is cut just as unevenly as the last one. Good thing I didn't wash the sheets right away.
What is UP with this?? I've never had any trouble with this before, and my parents have gone through lots of sets from stores like Linens N Things and JCPenney and all the other less expensive home dec stores and never had any trouble either. My old set (which my husband decided is too girly) was fine, and so were the two sets before that one. I swear, everything you buy in stores these days is complete crap and nothing holds up. I guess that's what we get for outsourcing all the labor to sweatshops that use child labor and pay them pennies a day.
This is mostly just a rant, but I guess I'm going to have to make my own comforter or quilt. I thought I'd start with a duvet cover, since those seem easier than a whole comforter or pieced quilt. But if anyone has any pattern suggestions, or any advice on how to fix the set I've got, or advice on somewhere better to shop, please let me know... The queen-sized bed sets are pretty expensive for my budget, and I don't want to spend a fortune, especially if it isn't going to hold up for more than two years. Although I'd save for a nice quilt if it were made well.
Thanks for listening!
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"To love another person is to see the face of God!" ~Les Miserables
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
Posted on: 6/29/08 7:29 PM ET
You can use any quilt to fill a duvet cover. When I made my first duvet cover I used 2 sheets to make a giant pillow case - the cover and used velcro to close the open end. You'll need to make a fold over pouch on one end because the sheets are longer than the quilt. If you can find an example to examine you will figure it out.
Good luck :)
Good luck :)
Posted on: 6/29/08 8:20 PM ET
This place has some pretty good instructions for duvet covers, bedspreads, all kinds of things. I hope it helps.
Pattern Information for bedding at Alternative Windows website.
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Pattern Information for bedding at Alternative Windows website.
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What is Maxine saying??
"I don't iron. If I'm not wrinkle-free why should my clothes be."
"I don't iron. If I'm not wrinkle-free why should my clothes be."
Posted on: 6/29/08 8:41 PM ET
I think you should just make a duvet cover for one you already have.
You just make a large pillow case to put it in. I have made two of these one for my down comforter and for my son's.
You can even use two different fabrics make it reversible.
I thing I like to do when making these is put ribbons about every 18 inches or so on both the comforter and the cover and use them secure it inside so it doesn't slip.
You can put buttons and buttonholes one side to close it of a very long zipper or use velco.
You just make a large pillow case to put it in. I have made two of these one for my down comforter and for my son's.
You can even use two different fabrics make it reversible.
I thing I like to do when making these is put ribbons about every 18 inches or so on both the comforter and the cover and use them secure it inside so it doesn't slip.
You can put buttons and buttonholes one side to close it of a very long zipper or use velco.
Posted on: 6/29/08 9:18 PM ET
Ribbons on the inside is brilliant! I have little clips like they have on suspenders (braces for UK folk) that I clip on mine. I think they charged $10 a pair for them at the quilt shop so I got some at the fabric store or $ store for maybe $2 a pair instead.
If you buy sheets there is no piecing involved, which is nice for a first go, probably. The last one I did was a king size and I wanted enough to hang down the sides of the bed. I peeked at a pattern that showed how to do it and copied it. I had 45" fabric and pieced it with a full width in the middle and narrower strips on the sides.
You mostly need a lot of space and a little patience. Have fun!
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If you buy sheets there is no piecing involved, which is nice for a first go, probably. The last one I did was a king size and I wanted enough to hang down the sides of the bed. I peeked at a pattern that showed how to do it and copied it. I had 45" fabric and pieced it with a full width in the middle and narrower strips on the sides.
You mostly need a lot of space and a little patience. Have fun!
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 6/29/08 11:18 PM ET
Awesome, thanks for all the ideas!
DH is rolling his eyes at my plan. Probably it isn't all that cost-effective when you factor in time and effort, but at least I can cut straight...
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DH is rolling his eyes at my plan. Probably it isn't all that cost-effective when you factor in time and effort, but at least I can cut straight...
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"To love another person is to see the face of God!" ~Les Miserables
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
Posted on: 6/30/08 8:22 AM ET
I made my first comforter for my King size bed...
The fabric I choose was a home dec fabric and it had a velour like texture. I guess you would have used it for upholstery but I thought it was so soft and yummy that I wanted to make a comforter.
I had two major problems.
I did not have the space to cut it out and lay it straight. I first tried to fold it and cut it on the dining table however.. the weight of the fabric caused it to stretch.. especially when sewing so it was difficult to manage. The comforter had one big center square and then the borders around it. I ended up having to cut two borders to get it the length of the side.
Just be careful what fabric you pick.. If I were to do this again, I would have picked a non-stretchy fabric and a lighter fabric like cotton sheets. It is an investment that you can not afford to throw away. One day when I have the time I will see how I can make it better but for now it is on my bed. It is comfy but it needs work.
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The fabric I choose was a home dec fabric and it had a velour like texture. I guess you would have used it for upholstery but I thought it was so soft and yummy that I wanted to make a comforter.
I had two major problems.
I did not have the space to cut it out and lay it straight. I first tried to fold it and cut it on the dining table however.. the weight of the fabric caused it to stretch.. especially when sewing so it was difficult to manage. The comforter had one big center square and then the borders around it. I ended up having to cut two borders to get it the length of the side.
Just be careful what fabric you pick.. If I were to do this again, I would have picked a non-stretchy fabric and a lighter fabric like cotton sheets. It is an investment that you can not afford to throw away. One day when I have the time I will see how I can make it better but for now it is on my bed. It is comfy but it needs work.
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Rebecca Pitts
Bernina 350
Singer Featherweight
Singer 9960
Babylock Imagine
Babylock Destiny
Juki tl2010Q
Bernina 350
Singer Featherweight
Singer 9960
Babylock Imagine
Babylock Destiny
Juki tl2010Q
Posted on: 6/30/08 8:35 AM ET
In reply to Linda E.
Great idea Linda!!!
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www.thereisjoyadventures.blogspot.com
Posted on: 6/30/08 11:01 AM ET
True - the weight is really something to think about. I used a bottom weight cotton (gabardine?) and with two king sized layers plus the drops on the sides, it is a serious amount of weight. A lot of work to drag it around, especially when sewing it.
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 6/30/08 5:09 PM ET
On a related note, if I wanted a down comforter, but didn't want to feel guilty about people ripping feathers out of live birds to make it (!!!!), what kind of alternatives are out there? I'd like real down, and I've heard there are companies that only take feathers off birds that have been raised for meat after the birds have died. How do you know which companies do this and which don't? And does anyone have an opinion about the synthetic downs? Are they really as nice?
I live in Texas, and it gets kind of cold in the winter (especially when you're used to 100-degree heat, 40 degrees is cold), and our house is poorly insulated. It'd be so nice to snuggle under a feathery comforter...
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I live in Texas, and it gets kind of cold in the winter (especially when you're used to 100-degree heat, 40 degrees is cold), and our house is poorly insulated. It'd be so nice to snuggle under a feathery comforter...
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"To love another person is to see the face of God!" ~Les Miserables
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
www.lillianbettyandsibyl.blogspot.com
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