Quilts: Down-filled quilts were discovered in Northern Europe as early as the 800s. Countries bordering the North Sea, such as Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany, use quilts as their main source of bedding. to protect themselves from the cold and humidity of the region. The duvets, or duvets as they were also known, not only served as a cover, but a second duvet served as a mattress, so that the body was completely enveloped by the warmth of the feather.

The inhabitants of these northern regions collected the down of the wild geese that roamed the shores of the North Sea. This down was then stuffed into a pillow-like cover and the entire pillow was sewn shut. The duvets were cut to the size of a bed-mattress and one was used to cover the bed, while the second was used for sleeping. A good duvet has the same qualities that nature gave to the geese themselves: geese that survived the stark ice and extremely cold temperatures of winter. A good down comforter insulates, provides warmth, maintains a constant temperature, and protects against damp and humidity. It also adjusts with the surrounding air temperature to keep you comfortable while you sleep.

When choosing a down comforter, you should take into account some special considerations. First, you need to consider the quality of the down, the down’s thermal capabilities (filling), the outer fabric used to cover the down (ticking), and the construction of the finished product. Knowing how to care for your comforter before you buy it can also make a difference in the choices you make.

Choosing the right type of down is your first and foremost concern if you choose a comforter that will last many years from now. Look for a down that is pure, meaning that it has not been mixed with feathers or other materials. This will make all the difference in the warming properties of your duvet. Fill power is another important factor when choosing quality. The larger and stronger the clumps of down, the greater the fill power, which in turn means your down is superior insulated, will breathe better and last much longer than smaller, brittle down clumps. 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 takes up (loft) once it expands. It is here, in these air spaces between the clumps of down, that heat is trapped and held to keep you warm. To get the right heat for your needs, it’s important to compare what different manufacturers offer. Buying goose down by weight is simply not enough. The better the quality of the down, the less down you will need, which means a lighter, fluffier duvet. Some goose down is sold by weight, and many manufacturers offer seasonal down comforters such as summer weight, fall weight, and winter weight. Your purchase should be based on how warm you like to sleep at night, so if you’re really cold even in summer, a big padding is necessary.

Next, attention should be paid to the outer layer of the duvet. As the outer cover must be strong and densely woven enough not to allow the down filling to leak out, only the appropriate fabric is required. Although duvets in the past were made from one standard type of material (material used only for pillows and down comforters), today’s good duvets are made from a wide range of tightly woven fabrics with a high amount of threads that are not just practical, but also beautiful. You can buy beautiful quilts in various fabric options. Manufacturers also go to great lengths to seal the outer edges of their comforter to be absolutely sure no down seeps in.

Comparing prices will give you a great basis for comparison. If you plan on using your duvet on your bed as is, then perhaps you should invest in an upgraded outer fabric. On the other hand, if you plan to use a duvet cover, then a basic standard fabric can work just as well as one of the more expensive ones and may even save you money.

Finally, the finish of the construction of the quilt itself can make the difference between quilts that last one year or five years. When constructing a fine down comforter, it is important that the feathers are enclosed in a box or baffle (three levels of square fabric) so that the down does not shift, which in turn means an even temperature for the sleeper. Without sewing squares or rectangles directly into the comforter, the down would shift, there would be more tension on one side of the comforter than the other, and in turn, the sleeper would experience cold spots, which would mean an uncomfortable night’s sleep. The better constructed the duvet is, the better the focus is on detail, design and top stitching, the stronger the duvet will be. Therefore, the longer the life of this beautiful bedding.

When you’re reviewing the construction of comforters, read what the manufacturer has used. Each manufacturer will provide a description of the types of patterns, boxes, or baffles that were used in the creation of their quilt.

Maintaining and caring for your down comforter is an important matter if you want your down comforter to last for many years. The manufacturer’s label will describe suggested washing and care. Daily, after a night’s sleep, it’s a good idea to shake out the duvet so that the down is fluffy again and assumes its height. Once a week, it’s also a good idea to rotate your down comforter. Shaking and rotating regularly keeps the down evenly distributed throughout the duvet and ensures that when used, the heat will be evenly distributed as well.

If your comforter does get stained, you can spot clean it, tumble dry on low, or hang it to dry on a clothesline. Most down comforters should only be dry cleaned. Although some manufacturers say that some down comforters are washable, the real risk here is that it may not dry completely in the tumble dryer alone. Moisture inside a down comforter causes mold and mildew to grow which, if left unchecked, could lead to many other health problems. The dry cleaning process can also ensure that the soft goose down is restored to its near-original state and the bedding is sanitized.

Other Quilts – There are all kinds of quilts or duvets on the market today that are incredibly beautiful but are not filled. Today’s comforters are filled with synthetics, polyester, wool, down blends, and a variety of other products. These duvets come in all sizes, all colors, designs, and styles. You can buy quilts at a bargain price or search the Internet for your favorite designers. You can buy European duvets, hotel-quality duvets, and high-end luxury duvets all by searching the internet.

The same rules apply to buying duvets with synthetic fill as with other sheets. First of all, check the type of fabric used (cotton, linen, silk, wool) and check the thread count. Be sure to measure your bed carefully. The more luxurious your comforter is, the more generous the cut will be. Find out if your comforter is washable or needs to be dry cleaned. Compare various manufacturers for quality, price, and warranties. Finally, ask the retailer about upcoming or annual sales and discounts.

The care and maintenance of a synthetic-filled duvet depends on the outer materials used in its construction. If the comforter is using a dry clean only fabric, then the thing to do is dry clean to maximize the life of the bedding. On the other hand, if your comforter is fully washable, a mild detergent on a gentle wash cycle is best. Usually the manufacturer’s recommended instructions come with your own comforter and it is advisable 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 shell-like cover or covering for your comforter. The comforter is cut to the size of your bed comforter, however one side of this cover has an opening so the comforters can be easily slipped in or removed when needed. Duvet openings come with zippers, buttons, or a Velcro closure to keep the duvet intact and in place. Duvet covers are a popular item for down-filled or synthetic-filled comforters. Duvet covers not only protect your comforter, but they come in such a wide variety of styles and colors that they add a wonderful decorative touch to any bedroom in the house.

Whether you’re shopping for a single duvet cover or a bundled bedding set containing a comforter and shams, your shopping checklist should follow the same procedures as if you were shopping for other bedding. First, take a look at the fabrics and thread count. Like other bedding and bedding, duvet covers are made in many types of materials. These materials include chenille, satin, wool, linen, French toile, combed cottons, 100% cottons, polyester-cotton blends, fleeces, velvets, knits, and percale. Comforters and their shams are sold in a variety of sizes, colors, and bedding patterns.

You can buy individual duvet covers on sale, 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 international markets (European retailers) just to see what’s on offer in other parts of the world. When it comes to finally purchasing your duvet cover, it’s crucial to first take accurate measurements of your comforter. Many bargain-priced duvet covers are cut to size, and in some cases, this close cut produces a snug duvet fit. When the fit is too tight, it is difficult to fit the duvet inside a duvet and it is difficult to achieve a light, fluffy loft, the space needed for a duvet to breathe properly.

Comforters should fit smoothly inside a duvet cover leaving at least a ½ to ¾ inch gap around the entire outer edge. High-end duvets have a seemingly larger and more generous cut. Before considering anything else, taking precise measurements of your comforter will prevent disappointment and returns on your purchases. Finally, once you have the exact measurements, it’s time to choose your colors, your prints and the style you prefer. Styles from some wonderful makers are Remmy, Bocci, Tiffany, Victorian, and Renaissance, just to name a few. These styles may also contain some extra fine touches such as scalloped edges, white eyelet ruffles, Battenburg trim, patterned lace, or hand-sewn embroidered appliqués. It is worth spending some time to check what is available on the market today and then choose the one that you like best.

Buying your duvet cover is very easy these days. With internet shopping, you can search for bargain quilts or you can opt for the luxury lines. You can often find discounted prices or seasonal sales on designer or high-end lines. All internet merchants offer low or even free shipping right to your door within days of your purchase. The most important thing to remember when purchasing duvets or any bedding is that you, the customer, must be happy with the look and feel of the duvet in your bedroom. You’ll know you made the right choice when you see your new duvet and shams enhance the beauty of your bedroom and feel the comfort it brings you every night of sleep. To those happy customers, sweet dreams!