Duvets: Down-filled duvets were discovered in Northern Europe as early as the 800's. Countries bordering the North Sea such as Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Germany all used duvets as their main source of bedding to ward off the chilling cold and the dampness of the region. Duvets, or feather-beds as they were also known, were not only used as a cover, but a second duvet acted as a mattress which meant the body was totally surrounded by the warmth of the down.
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Inhabitants of these northern regions collected the down of the wild geese that roamed the North Sea shores. This down was then stuffed into a pillow-like casing and the entire pillow was sewn closed. The duvets were cut to the size of a bed-mattress and one was used to cover the bed, while the second one was used to sleep on. A good duvet has the same qualities that nature gave to the geese themselves - geese who survived the brash of ice and extreme cold winter temperatures. A good feather-down duvet insulates, provides warmth, keeps a consistent temperature and protects against dampness and moisture. It also adjusts with surrounding air temperatures to keep you comfortable while you sleep.
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When choosing a down-filled duvet, you need to make some special considerations. First of all, you need to consider the quality of the down, the down's warmth capabilities (fill-power), the outer fabric used in covering the down (ticking), and the construction of the finished product. Knowing how to care for your duvet before you buy it may also make a difference as to the choices you make.
Choosing the right kind of feather-down is your first and foremost concern if you are choosing a duvet that will last many years from now. Look for a down that is a pure down - that is, not down that has been mixed with feathers or other materials. This will make a difference in the warming properties of your duvet. The fill-power is another major factor when choosing quality down. The larger and stronger the clusters of down are, the higher the fill-power which in turn means your down has superior insulation, it will breathe better and last much longer than smaller fragile down clusters. Fill-power is simply a measurement of expanded goose-down. This is done by compressing an ounce of down and then measuring the amount of space the goose-down occupies (loft) once it expands. It is here in these air spaces between the clusters of down, where heat is trapped and maintained to keep your warm. In order to get the proper warmth for your needs, it is important to compare what different manufacturers have to offer. Buying goose-down by weight alone simply is not enough. The better the quality of down, the less down is required which means a lighter, fluffier duvet. Some goose downs are sold by weights and many manufacturers offer seasonal comforters such as summer-weight, autumn weight and winter-weight. Your purchase should be based on how warm you like to sleep at night therefore, if you find yourself very cold even in summer, a heavier down-fill is in order.
Next, consideration must be given to the outer shell of the duvet. As the outer casing must be strong enough and tightly woven enough to not allow the down-fill to come through to the outside, just the right fabric is required. Although in the past, duvets were manufactured in a type of standard ticking material (material that was solely used for feather pillows and feather-beds), good duvets today are manufactured in wide range of high-thread-count tightly woven fabrics that are not just practical, but also beautiful. You can purchase beautiful duvets in several fabric choices. Manufacturers also take great effort in sealing the outer edges of your duvet just to be absolutely sure that no down seeps out.
Shopping around will give you a great base for comparison. If you plan to use your duvet on your bed just as it is, then perhaps you should invest in an upgraded outer fabric. On the other hand, if you are planning to use a duvet cover, then a basic standard fabric may work just as well as one of the more expensive ones and it may even save you money.
Finally, the finishing construction of the duvet itself can make the difference between duvets lasting a year or for five years. When constructing a duvet for fine down feathers, it is important that the feathers are locked into a box or a baffle (three levels of square fabric) so that there is no shifting of the down which in turn means an even temperature for the sleeper. Without sewing squares or rectangles right into the duvet, the down would shift, there would be greater tension on one side of the duvet than the other, and in turn, the sleeper would experience cold-spots meaning an uncomfortable night's sleep. The better constructed the duvet is, the better focus on details, design and top stitching, the stronger the duvet will be. Consequently, the longer the life of this beautiful bedding.
When you are checking out the construction of duvets, read up on what the manufacturer has used. Each manufacturer will provide a description of the types of pattern, boxes or baffles that were used in their duvet creation.
Maintaining and caring for your down comforter is an important matter if you want your comforter to last many years. The manufacturer's label will describe suggested washing and care. On a daily basis, after a night's sleep, it is a good idea to shake out the comforter so that the down once again becomes fluffy and assumes its loft. Once a week, rotating the down comforter is also a good idea. Shaking and rotating regularly keeps the down distributed evenly throughout the entire comforter and ensures that when used, warmth will also be distributed evenly.
If your duvet gets stained, then you can spot clean it, place it in the dryer on a low setting or hang it out to dry on a clothes line. Most down duvets are to be dry cleaned only. Although some manufacturers say that some down duvets are washable, the real risk here is that you may not get the down fully dried by the clothes-dryer alone. Dampness inside a down duvet causes mold and mildew to grow which, unchecked could lead to many other health concerns. The dry cleaning process can also insure that the soft goose-down is restored to its near original condition and that the bedding is sanitized.
Other Duvets: There are all kinds of duvets or comforters on the market today that are incredibly beautiful but are not down-filled. Today's duvets have fillings of synthetics, polyester, wools, feather mixtures and a variety of many other products. These comforters come in all sizes, all colors, designs and styles. You can purchase bargain-priced duvets or search the internet for your favorite designers. You can buy European comforters, hotel-quality comforters and high-end luxury comforters all by searching on the internet.
The same rules apply to purchasing synthetic-filled comforters as do with other linens. First of all, check out the kind of fabric used (cottons, linens, silks, wools) and check out the thread-count. Make sure you measure your bed carefully. The more high-end your comforter is, the more generous the cut. Find out if your comforter is washable or if it needs to be dry-cleaned. Compare several manufacturers for quality, price and guarantees. Finally, ask the retailer for upcoming or yearly sales and discounts.
Caring and maintaining a synthetic-filled comforter is dependant on the outer materials used in its construction. If the comforter is using a fabric that is only dry cleanable, then dry cleaning is what must be done to maximize the life of the bedding. On the other hand, if your comforter is fully washable, a mild detergent in a gentle wash-cycle is best. Usually recommended manufacturer instructions come with your comforter itself and it is wise to follow these instructions.
Duvet Covers: A duvet cover is another way to care for and protect your beautiful comforter. A duvet cover is a casing or shell-like covering for your comforter. The duvet is cut to the size of your bed comforter, however one side of this cover has an opening so that comforters can easily be slid inside or removed when needed. Duvets' openings come with zippers, buttons or a Velcro enclosure to keep the comforter intact and in place. Duvet covers are a popular item for down-filled or synthetic-filled comforters. Duvet covers not only protect your duvet, but they come in such a wide variety of styles and colors that they add a wonderful decorative touch to any bedroom in the home.
Whether you are purchasing a single duvet cover or a packaged bed-ensemble that contains a duvet and its covers, your buying checklist should follow the same procedures as if you would be purchasing other bed linens. First of all, check out the fabrics and the thread-count. Just like other beddings and linens, duvet covers are manufactured in many types of materials. These materials include chenille, satins, wools, linens, French toile, combed cottons, 100% cottons, poly/cotton blends, fleece, velvets, jersey-knits and calicos. Duvets and their covers are sold in a variety of bedding sizes, colors and prints.
You can purchase individual bargain duvets covers or you can find designer sets through leading designer manufacturers. For example, Laura Ashley, Pendleton, Thomasville and Croscill, just to name a few. You can also check out international markets (European retailers) just to see what is being offered in other parts of the world. When it comes down to finally purchasing your comforter's cover, taking accurate measurements of your comforter first, is crucial. Many bargain priced duvet covers are cut close to size and in some instances this tight cut produces a tight comforter fit. When the fit is too tight, it is difficult to place the comforter inside a duvet and it is difficult to achieve a light and fluffy loft, the room that is needed for a comforter to breathe properly.
Duvets should gently fit inside a duvet cover leaving at least ½ to ¾ inch spacing around the entire outer edge. Higher-end duvets are cut seemingly larger and more generously. Before you consider anything else, taking accurate comforter measurements will avoid disappointment and returns on your purchases. Finally, once you have the exact measurements, it is time to choose your colors, your patterns and the style you prefer. Some wonderful manufacturers' styles are Remmy, Bocci, Tiffany, Victorian and Renaissance just to mention a few. These styles may also contain some extra fine touches such as scalloped edges, white eyelet ruffles, Battenburg trim, printed lace or hand-stitching embroidery appliqués. It is well worth spending some time to check out what is available in the marketplace today and then choosing the exact one to your liking.
Buying your duvet cover is very easy these days. With internet shopping you can seek out bargain-priced duvets or you can go for the luxury lines. Often you can find discounted prices or seasonal sales on high-end or designer lines. All internet merchants provide a low cost or even no-cost shipping right to your door within days of your purchase. The key thing to remember when buying duvets or any bedding for that matter is that you, the customer, must be happy with the look and the feel of the duvet in your bedroom. You will know you made the right choice when you see your new duvet and covers bring out the beauty of your bedroom and you can feel the comfort it brings you with each night's sleep. To those happy customers - sweet dreams!
About Duvets And Duvets Covers
Cotton Comforters Sets
Nov 12, 2011 17:30:52
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