Can I Make My Own Comforter?

[KnitterMama]

So, I have this rule that I can't buy anything I could make. Well, I broke my own rule yesterday for this duvet set which was marked-down from $80 to $10 (and even more after that with my employee discount). It's a lovely khaki color with stripes sorta haphazardly embroidered on it ... looks kinda po-mo.

Well anyway ... right now it's over the quilt my dog ate a hole through (), but it's brought me back to my rule. I'd really like to make a comforter for our bed. Maybe even a down one : .

It seems to me that this could potentially be a really easy project. Am I naive? Anybody know where I can find instructions? Anybody done it?

[KnitterMama]

Really? Nobody?

[srain]

I'm sure you could- but what is the goal of your rule? Cuz while you COULD make one, materials would cost you more than the one you bought, probably....

[rubelin]

well, a down one would probably be the easiest, if you can find a source for hte down. They are basically bags with some stitching here and there to stop the down from bunching in one spot too much, but generally you keep the "pockets" made inside not completely closed so that the down can shift around.

The hard thing about sewing a poly-fill one is doing the quilting through all that fluff. I've never been able to do it without getting folds in the stitching at some spot along the way, but maybe if you were very patient and basted the layers together. I also don't like sewing anything too big; it's so hot to sit under

[KnitterMama]

My "no buying" rule grew out of a desire to contribute less to the often exploitative manufacturing and merchandising system. In actuality, unless I'm really thrifty about it (by obtaining materials from Freecycle, or reusing which I often do), it costs more to make your own. Sometimes the cost is prohibitive, but I do so whenever I can.

It's a good way to cut-down on the "stuff" laying around one's home. I also like the comfort of something handmade ... the satisfaction of providing for myself and my family ... lots of reasons really.

By the way, I think I found a link which shows how to make comforters with wool here (scroll down to "Making the Comforters"). Wool may be easier to get ahold of than good down. (I've found many sources for wool, and none for down in my preliminary search ... )

[lilyka]

I made one but not with down. I just layered the fabric and batting and sewed all teh way around, turned topstitched and then tied. tried to maching quilt it but my machine and skils were just not up to the challenge. It was spendy though. for comforter, two pillow cases, two toss pillows and 4 valances and pajamas was over $125. that was just for materials.

[momto l&a]

You could make a quilt with cotton batting, wondefullwarm.

I am right now making an easy one where you take 2 squares of flannel and put a smaller square of cotton batting in between and sew an X from corner to corner. When yoiu get all our squares done then you sew each square together leaving 3/4 inch seam allowance. Once washed that seam allowance makes a fringe around each sqaure.

Granted it would just be cheeper for me to go but a comfoter :LOL cause this will cost us about $500. I started it about 4 years ago to keep my mind busy after I mc. We are almost done with it. I havent worked on it like i shoud with having lived in too small of a place to work on it for over a year and having had 2 babies since that miscarriage.


I bought at a factory outlet a King sized down alternative comforter for $11. What a bargin IMO. We love it as it sooooo warm.

I will be wonderful to get this quilt done though I will be so sorry not to just be able to pull off the duvet cover and wash it when ever it looks dirty. With the size of this quilt it will probably only get washed onse a year which will really bother me knwoing how often I have to wash the duvet cover.

Boxed stiched workes best for down comforters so the down doesnt migrate to the edges.