Reversible Duvet Cover

Host Susan Khalje shares how to make a reversible duvet cover and shams from polished cottons and glazed chintz in complimentary floral patterns.

Materials:

duvet/comforter
Waverly fabrics
6 yards print for front
6 yards print for back
5 yards check for bias ruffle
3/4" covered buttons (11)
thread
scissors

Note: These materials are for a queen-sized comforter/duvet cover. Adjust to fit based on your comforter/bed size.

Steps:

1. Find the measurements of your comforter. Allow for a 3/4-inch seam allowance and 2-3 inches for the thickness of your comforter.

2. Cut two lengths of fabric for each side of the duvet cover. Our comforter was 86" x 86". We added 1-1/2 inches on each side to account for the thickness of the comforter plus a 3/4-inch seam allowance. This equals 88-1/4 inches for the width and 88-1/4 inches for the length. For the front duvet panel, cut two lengths of fabric 88-1/4" x 88-1/4".

3. To begin constructing the front of the cover, split one length of fabric lengthwise. (The two split pieces will eventually be sewn to the second full-length piece, on either side.) (We used smaller samples to demonstrate how to construct the duvet cover (figure A).)

4. Carefully match the patterns in the fabric, since the pattern is pieced together.

5. Align the full piece with one of the half pieces and pin. Repeat on the other side. Then, measure the duvet panel carefully and cut off the side pieces to acquire the necessary width of the cover. Stitch the seams. Use same method for the back panel.

6. For the back duvet panel, add 4 inches to the length of the original measurement (the original measurement for the front is 87-1/2" x 89"; add 4 inches to the back and you have 87-1/2" x 93"). This extra fabric is needed for the closure flaps. Cut and seam the back panel just as you did for the front panel.

7. To make the duvet closure at the top of the panel, press over 2 inches and then 2 inches again to create a "cuff." Topstitch this edge (figure B).

8. Mark the placement of the buttonholes, and then create a buttonhole at each mark.

9. For the button closure, create a 10-inch extension panel (the width of the cover ) that will attach to the front panel. Fold in half wrong sides together, and press. Then topstitch and sew on the buttons (figure C).

10. Carefully establish the first cut line for your bias strips for the ruffle . Fold the cut edge over to the selvage edge or crease. Mark this with a ruler and fabric pen. Place a dot every 8 inches and connect those dots. Continue to mark several rows until you have enough strips to equal 2-1/2 times the diameter of the outside edge of the duvet cover.

11. Cut the strips, pin and sew together on the straight of the grain (figure D). Press open the seam allowances.

12. Fold the ruffle in half and press lightly(ruffle is double-sided).

13. Place a crochet cord along the edge of the stitch line inside the seam allowance and, using a zigzag stitch, stitch over the cord (figure E).

14. Pin the ruffle to the front duvet panel, adjusting the ruffles as you pin. Then stitch into place. Next, stitch the button-closure panel to the top edge of the front duvet panel, along the top edge. Make sure you lay the button side face down and to the inside of the panel

15. Button the back panel to the front panel. The duvet front is right side up and duvet back is right side down. Pin and stitch the other three sides together. Serge or zigzag stitch the raw edges as desired.

16. The duvet is ready to be turned and the comforter can be inserted.

Matching pillow shams

Materials:

pillow form or standard size pillow shams (20" x 26")
Waverly fabric:
1-1/2 yards print for the front panel
1-1/2 yards print for the back panel
3/4 yard contrasting print for front sides
2 yards gingham for ruffles
3/4" covered button frames (6)
thread
scissors

Tip: Create a stay layer--a stabilizing layer of fabric that other treatments can be stitched onto. The stay is cut to the exact size of the finished piece.

Steps:

1. The center panel should be half the width, which is 13 inches. Cut a panel 13 -3/4" x 20-3/4" (20 inches is the length of the pillow) This includes a 3/4-inch seam allowance on all sides. Create a stay for the center panel for stability. Add piping to the center panel.

2. The side front panels are 6-1/2 inches "wide". That is the remaining width of the pillow, divided in half. Side panels are ruched, which means that both sides of the fabric are gathered. To account for the ruching, take the length of the pillow (20 inches) and double it. This gives you a piece of fabric that is 7-3/4" x 40-3 /4". This dimension includes a 3/4-inch seam allowance. Pin the gathering on both sides of the panels (figure F), including the stay on the bottom, and stitch the gathering panel on each side (figure G).

3. To create the rows of gathers, lay a crochet strand over the side seam allowance and zigzag over it with a medium stitch the full length of the panel. Adjust your ruffles so that your panel is the desired finished measurement 6-1/2" x 20". Then repeat this for the other side.

4. After ruching the side front panels, pin and stitch each side panel to the center panel.

5. To make the ruffle, take the diameter of the finished sham and cut ruffle strips 2-1/2 times the diameter. Sew the ruffle the way you did the duvet cover. Pin the ruffles evenly around the back panels and stitch in place.

6. For the back closure of the sham, you need two panels that have a vertical button flap closure. For the button hole side, use an 8-inch panel. Add 2 inches for the extension and 4 inches to account for a double-fold edge. Include a 3/4-inch seam allowance. Double-fold the edge just as for the back duvet panel. Press over 2 inches, then another 2 inches again. Mark your buttonholes and stitch. The button side should be 24 inches. This is 18 inches plus 4 inches for the double-fold edge for the buttons and the 3/4-inch seam allowance. (18" and 8" equals 26", which is the length of the pillow). Press 2 inches over and press 2 inches over again. Match the buttonholes to this and sew on the buttons.

7. Button these panels together and pin the front panel to it, right sides together, and stitch completely around the perimeter of the sham.

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