What to Look for in Duvet Cover Fabric
A duvet cover sits against your bedding for years and goes through frequent washing, so the best fabrics tend to share a few qualities:
- Breathability and comfort. Natural fibers such as cotton and linen are popular because they breathe well.
- Durability. A tightly woven fabric usually holds up better to repeated laundering.
- Easy care. Choose something you are comfortable washing regularly.
- Width. Wider fabric means fewer seams. Many standard apparel and quilting cottons are narrower than a duvet, so you may need to piece panels.
- Drape and weight. The cover should feel comfortable, not stiff.
Cotton Percale
Percale is a plain weave, usually described as crisp, matte, and cool, similar to a classic crisp cotton shirt. It is often recommended for people who sleep warm or prefer a lightweight feel. It is straightforward to sew and press, though it does wrinkle.
Cotton Sateen
Sateen has a different weave that gives a smoother, silkier hand and a subtle sheen. It usually feels slightly heavier and cozier than percale. It can be more slippery to sew, so use plenty of pins or clips and a sharp needle.
Linen
Linen is breathable and has a relaxed, textured look that softens with washing. It wrinkles easily, which many people consider part of the style. It can fray at cut edges, so finish seams well. Linen is also typically more expensive than cotton.
Flannel and Brushed Cotton
Flannel is brushed cotton with a soft, fuzzy surface, often chosen for colder months. It is warm and cozy, and can shed lint when first washed. A cover made from it may be too warm for hot sleepers.
Polyester and Blends
Polyester and cotton-polyester blends are usually inexpensive and resist wrinkles, but they generally breathe less well than natural fibers. Some people find them less comfortable in warm weather. They may suit a guest room or a child’s bed where easy care matters most.
Using Flat Sheets Instead of Yardage
Flat sheets are a practical option. They are already wide, often come in matching sets, and tend to be priced reasonably compared with the same amount of wide fabric. You need two sheets for a single cover: one for the top and one for the bottom. The hemmed edge of each sheet can serve as the opening.
Hotel-style beds sometimes use two flat sheets in a similar way, with one sheet acting as a washable layer between the guest and the duvet. Whatever the reason, check the finished sheet size against your duvet before you buy.
Fabric Width and How Much to Buy
Fabric is sold by width as well as length, and the width determines how much you need. Wide-width bedding fabric, sometimes sold up to roughly the width of a large bed, lets you cut each panel from a single piece. Narrower fabric means joining pieces, which needs more yardage and more sewing.
To estimate, measure your duvet, add seam and hem allowances, and compare that to the fabric width. Then buy enough length for two panels, plus a little extra for matching patterns and shrinkage. Our step-by-step duvet cover guide explains how to calculate and cut the panels.
Where to Buy Fabric for Bedding
- Fabric stores and online fabric shops, which often sell cotton, linen, and flannel by the yard.
- Specialty linen or bedding fabric suppliers, which may carry wide-width options.
- Home goods stores, for flat sheets used as fabric.
- Remnant or discount sections, if you are comfortable with a smaller project or a pieced design.
Order swatches when you can, since feel and weight are hard to judge online.
Prewashing and Sewing Tips
- Prewash and dry the fabric the way you plan to wash the finished cover, to reduce shrinkage later.
- Press before cutting so the panels are accurate.
- Use a sharp universal or microtex needle and an appropriate stitch length.
- Finish seam edges, especially on linen.
- Test your closure on scraps first.
FAQ
What are nice duvet covers made of?
Cotton, especially percale and sateen, and linen are commonly used for higher-quality covers. The best choice depends on whether you want something crisp, silky, relaxed, or warm.
What fabric is used for bed sheets?
Cotton in a percale or sateen weave is common, along with linen, flannel, and polyester blends.
Can I use regular quilting cotton?
You can, but check the width. You may need to piece panels, and the fabric can feel stiffer than bedding-weight cotton.