Remember Bedspreads?

I had to pull out an old photo taken when we were trying to sell our house in 1987 – just in case you need a reminder of what a bedspread is. Sometime in the last 20 years, bedmaking has become easier with just straightening out a duvet. Sometimes we opt for a duvet to sleep with plus one that is just decorative. The more, the better, right?

I grew up with duvet covers - as opposed to sleeping with a top sheet. My mom actually sewed covers for our comforters because I don’t think they were even available to purchase. So, naturally, when I first had to sleep with just a sheet and a comforter, I did not like the way it messed up. My H’s background was the same and so my Mom continued sewing covers for us and each of our kids as well, sewing together two flat sheets to match a fitted sheet. Then there came the day when you could buy ready made duvet covers in the store – imagine that!! Enough time has lapsed now and everyone has learned how to put on a duvet cover, right? If not . . . did you ask? . . . I have a free lesson for you.

( click on colage to enlarge)

1. Lay out your duvet/comforter on the bed and check its dimensions. It it’s square, it doesn’t matter. If it’s rectangular in any way, check to see which end or side (shorter or longer side) will line up with the duvet cover opening. Keep that in mind*
2. Turn the duvet cover inside out, keeping in mind if it’s the long or the short end that has the opening.
3. Extend both arms into the duvet cover and, from the inside, grab the far end corners of the duvet cover (opposite the opening)
4. With your hands still in the far end corners grab the matching corners of the duvet/comforter (opposite end from where the opening would go)*
5. Holding fast to the two corners of the duvet/comforter with your gloved hands, flip (it’s a rotation of the wrists – sorry no pic) and shake out the cover along with the duvet, raising your arms high. If it’s a large duvet, you may need someone else’s hands to help stretch the cover down over the comforter while you keep holding up the top corners. You can also try this while laying it down on the bed or the floor, but make sure the corners stay put.
6. Once the duvet cover is stretched over the entire duvet, tuck the leftover two corners (the ones on the opening side) into the cover. Grab these ends from the outside and shake to smooth.
7. Button, Zipper, or tie the opening end closed.

I like to change the top duvet cover up for the Fall and lay a folded accent quilt across the foot end of the bed. Take a look at the bedroom as though you’re just visiting and see how you can make it more inviting. Maybe change the lamp or pictures ... try doing a trio of square photos or art over your headboard or leaving it plain and hanging one over the nightstand. Get rid of any clutter that has collected on dressers or the floor. This will make dusting and vacuuming easier and your bedroom will be a nice place to retreat to.