How to make a duvet cover

A couple of weeks ago Edward got his first pillow (which he is slowly getting used to!) and as the weather has been so cool we also thought it was time to introduce a duvet too. His nursery has a Cath Kidston vibe so I thought I would make a patchwork duvet cover using some of my favourite blue fabrics, mainly Cath Kidston, Amy Butler, Michael Miller and Orla Kiely. I wanted to make it something that Edward will be able to use for a long time so picked fabrics that he will like, including plenty of cowboy and Indian pieces 🙂

After choosing my fabrics I cut 45 squares, each measuring 22cms x 22 cms (which included a 1cm seam allowance).

When I had cut the fabric pieces I lay them on the floor (after Edward had gone to bed!) and arranged them to make sure the patterned fabrics were all evenly spaced and the right way round. I then pinned the squares in strips of 8 and stitched them, and stitched the lines together. I then trimmed the patchwork side so it measured 155 cms x 122 cms.

For the back of the cover I chose a plain blue fabric and cut a 165cms x 122 cms piece.

I made a hem 4cms deep at the top of both pieces and a 1 cm hem at the bottom of both pieces. I pinned the two fabric pieces with the right sides together and folded the bottom of the backing fabric by 10 cms to make a simple pillow opening.

The final step was to stitch 1cm from the edge on three sides and turn out. Finished – my first patchwork duvet cover.

Linking up with Craft Schooling Sunday and Boy Get Crafty and Transformation Thursday