How to Sew a Duvet Cover With Piping
A duvet cover is essentially a very large pillowcase that covers a comforter or blanket. Piping adds a decorative touch to the edges of a duvet cover, and can be purchased at most fabric stores. Flat sheets make ideal materials for duvet covers, since they are fairly inexpensive and wide enough to cover the duvet without using seams. Make sure to choose sheets that are a few inches wider and longer than the duvet. You can use matching sheets for the front and back of the cover, or use contrasting ones. Keep in mind that the piping will show on both sides, so choose materials that complement the piping.
Things You'll Need
- Duvet
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Two flat sheets, or fabric
- Matching thread
- Piping
- 3 1/2 yards of 1-inch wide ribbon
- Anti-fraying liquid, such as Fray Check
- Straight pins
- Seam ripper
- Iron
- Sewing machine with zipper foot
Instructions
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1
Cut the material for the top of the duvet cover 2 inches wider and longer than the duvet. If you are using fabric rather than a flat sheet, you will need to sew several pieces together to make the fabric wide enough. Remember to include enough extra fabric for seam allowance when cutting each piece.
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2
Hem the upper edge of the fabric, or use the hem that is part of the flat sheet.
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3
Place the piping face down on the right side of the fabric, lining up the straight, flat edge of the piping with the edge of the fabric. Pin the piping all the way around the sides and lower edge of the fabric. Clip the seam allowance of the piping (not the cord) as needed to allow the piping to bend around the corners of the duvet cover and lie flat.
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4
Join pieces of piping as needed to make them long enough for the fabric. To do this, use a seam ripper to remove about 1 inch of stitches in the ends of both pieces of piping. Cut off 1/2 inch of the cord inside the piping on one piece. Fold the ends of the fabric on this piece of piping toward the inside, so that the fabric has smooth, finished edges. Insert the other cut end of piping inside the end of the folded piece. Pin the piping to the fabric to hold it in place.
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5
Sew the piping to the top of the duvet cover. Use a zipper foot to stitch as close to the corded part of the piping as possible.
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6
Cut the material for the back of the duvet cover the same size as the top. Hem the upper edge of the back of the duvet cover, or use the hem that is part of the flat sheet.
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7
Place the top and back of the duvet cover right sides together, lining them up along the edges. Pin them together along the sides and lower edge, leaving the hemmed edge open.
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8
Stitch the top and back of the duvet cover together using a zipper foot. Stitch as close as possible to the corded part of the piping by feeling the bump between the layers of fabric. Be careful not to stitch on the corded part of the piping.
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9
Cut ten pieces of ribbon, each 12 inches long. These will be the ties that hold the duvet cover closed. Dab a tiny amount of anti-frying liquid on the ends of the ribbon to keep them from raveling.
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10
Pin the ends of five pieces of ribbon to the top edge of the duvet cover front, spacing them evenly, so that the ribbons are perpendicular to the top of the cover. Pin the other five pieces of ribbon to the top edge of the duvet cover back, lining them up with the ribbons on the front. Sew each ribbon to the duvet cover.
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11
Turn the duvet cover right side out. Insert the duvet or comforter inside the duvet cover, and tie the ribbons together to close the cover.
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Tips & Warnings
You may also use ties made from fabric, buttons and button holes or a zipper for the duvet cover closure.
Use caution when working with scissors, irons, seam rippers and sewing machines.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bedroom image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
