Flat-Sheet Duvet Cover

If you have a pair of sheets, you can make a duvet cover. Simply pair them up, and straight-line sew the tops and sides together.

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on September 20, 2018

flat sheet duvet cover — Photo: PIPPA DRUMMOND

Whether a duvet is filled with down, feathers, or an alternative to the two, it should be lightweight, warm, and all-engulfing—the perfect environment for a deep, restorative sleep. Good duvets are expensive; they need to be protected.

It's surprisingly easy—and cost-effective—to make a customized summer-weight comforter cover from two new (or old) flat sheets. Just partner up different shades, or a plain linen with a patterned one, and straight-line sew the tops and sides together. For extra ease, forgo the usual button closures at the bottom and add grosgrain-ribbon ties. This simple, inexpensive cover will help to keep your duvet clean and will eliminate the necessity for a top sheet as well, which means your bed will be easier to make. And since a sheet duvet cover is so easy to make, why not sew a second, for laundry days, while you're at it?

Here's another Good Thing: To keep your comforter neatly in place, turn the cover inside out and sewing two pieces of five-inch-long fabric tape to all four corners. Then tie the fabric tape around each corner of the comforter, and sleep tight.

What You'll Need

Materials

Comforter
Flat sheets
Fabric scissors
Pins
Thread (in color matching sheets)
Sewing machine and supplies
Iron and ironing board
Grosgrain ribbon (Pictured: imported chromspun grosgrain ribbon, 5⁄8", in Pink, $2 per yd., mjtrim.com)

Instructions

Select two flat sheets that are the same size as your comforter (e.g., for a twin-size duvet cover, use two twin-size flat sheets).
If necessary, since manufacturers' sizes vary, cut sheets so they are each 2 inches wider than comforter and 3 inches longer (to accommodate seams).
Align sheets so finished top edges match up and wrong sides are facing in. Pin and stitch (using a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance) around three edges, 1 inch from edge of sheets, leaving finished top edge unstitched to serve as the opening.
Turn duvet cover inside out, press with iron, pin, and sew a 1-inch seam, just covering allowance of your first seam. Turn duvet cover right-side out; press again. (You have just made a French seam.)
To hem duvet-cover opening, if desired, turn a 1-inch width under once, then again, making one complete fold. Sew top and bottom together at each corner of opening, about 18 inches toward center, leaving a gap large enough for a duvet to fit through.
Cut 10-inch lengths of ribbon. Pin one piece of ribbon to top and bottom sheets, at approximately 5-inch increments, inside flaps of opening. Sew on ribbons; remove pins.
Slip in comforter and tie ribbons.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, JUNE 2018