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A comforter provides warmth and decoration for your bed. You can buy a comforter in a furniture store or department store, but you can also save money by making one. All the supplies needed to sew a comforter are available at fabric and crafts stores. Use these tips to sew a comforter.
Steps
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Measure the length and width of your mattress.
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Calculate the drop length. This section of the comforter will fall over the edge of the mattress for extra coverage.
- Measure from the point where the mattress touches the box spring to the top of the mattress.
- Add 3 inches (7.6 cm) to that number. A 12-inch (30.5-cm) deep mattress will have a drop length of 15 inches (31 cm).
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Determine the comforter's width.
- Multiply the drop length by 2. A drop length of 15 inches (31 cm) gives you 30 inches (76. 2 cm).
- Add the sum to the width of the mattress. A 54-inch (137-cm) wide mattress results in 84 inches (213.4 cm).
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Calculate the comforter's length.
- Multiply the drop length by 2. A drop length of 15 inches (31 cm) gives you 30 inches (76.2 cm).
- Add the sum to the mattress length. If your mattress is 75 inches (109.5 cm) long, your total is 105 inches (266.7 cm).
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Cut the fabric.
- Place the fabric facing down on a flat surface.
- Use a tape measure and colored pencil to mark the dimensions of the comforter.
- Use scissors to cut out the fabric.
- Repeat the process with the backing.
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Cut the batting.
- Place the cut fabric facing up over the batting on a flat surface.
- Cut the batting 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) wider than the fabric.
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Pin the fabric to the batting. Pin along the edges and throughout the comforter with safety pins or straight pins.
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Attach the bias tape. Use straight pins to pin the bias tape to the fabric and the batting. Align the outer edge of the tape with the edge of the fabric. The folded side of the bias should face down. Pin the corners flat.
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Attach the backing.
- Place the backing face down on top of the fabric.
- Align the edges of the backing with the outer edges of the bias tape and fabric. Use straight pins to pin the backing onto the bias tape, fabric and batting.
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Sew the comforter together.
- Use a sewing machine to sew along the edges of the backing, fabric, bias tape and batting on 3 sides.
- Sew along the edges of the fourth side until you are 12 inches (30.5 cm) from the end. Do not sew the last 12 inches (30.5 cm) of the comforter.
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Remove the extra batting. Use scissors to trim the extra batting from the comforter.
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Flip the comforter right side out. Pull the inside of the comforter through the 12-inch (30.5-cm) hole. The right sides of the fabric and the batting are now facing outward.
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Close the hole.
- Bend the fabric over the batting.
- Bend the backing into the comforter.
- Align the edges of the fabric and backing with the sewn edges on the comforter. The bias tape should be in between the fabric and backing.
- Use straight pins to hold the materials together.
- Use a sewing machine to sew the hole together. Sew along the edges.
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Press the edges. Iron along the comforter's edges.
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Attach the ties.
- Cut a length of embroidery floss as long as desired.
- Thread the floss through a quilting needle.
- Insert the needle through the top of the comforter.
- Bring the needle back through the top of the comforter.
- Remove the floss from the needle.
- Tie the floss in a double knot.
- Repeat the process as many times as desired throughout the comforter.
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Remove any remaining pins.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow high can the loft be for a comforter?Community AnswerIt can be as high as you want it to be, but the thicker the loft, the more difficult it is to quilt.
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QuestionWhat sort of batting should I use for a king size comforter -- polyester or wool -- and where can I find it?Community AnswerBatting can be found online at quilting stores or at department or craft stores. The type of batting you use depends on how far apart you want to quilt; the label of the batting will tell you the distance. Polyester batting comes in three lofts but has to be quilted closer than cotton or wool. The thicker the loft, the more difficult it can be to quilt.
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QuestionWhy do you use bias tape?Community AnswerBias tape has some give to it, so it will help keep things from bunching up or looking weird in the finished product. It also helps stabilize the edges of the comforter.
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Backing
- Batting
- Tape measure
- Colored pencil
- Scissors
- Bias tape
- Safety pins
- Sewing machine
- Quilting needle
- Embroidery floss
- Iron
About This Article
Article Summary
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A comforter is a great way to decorate your bed while adding extra warmth, and you can make your own if you have sewing experience. You’ll need a fabric of your choice, batting, backing, bias tape, embroidery floss, and a sewing machine. First, measure your bed so you can tailor your comforter to fit it perfectly. Cut your materials to your measurements, pin them together, and sew 3 of the sides. Then, turn the comforter inside out and sew the final side shut. Finally, cut your embroidery floss and attach ties to your comforter. For more tips, including how to calculate the drop length of your comforter, read on.
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