Which way round does it go?

Ours also has a very large label stitched on which is obviously the foot end.

Right-ended up with the tape measure out and this particular duvet fits the cover with stitching going across the way. This means widest side and stitching running across the bed. 'Feels' wrong though as bed is longer than it's wide so shouldn't duvet follow that configuration as well? Am currently under said duvet so think I will put my brain to bed for the night. Why was I dorking around at 10.30 pm measuring my bedding for anyway?? Think OCD is in overdrive......stop thinking......aargh......

Have you tried diamond shaped? Sort of diagonally?
<ducks behind sofa>
Seriously, wider goes across otherwise it won't fit the cover properly.

But it's not the same shape as the bed underneath so it doesn't match up and that's disturbing!!

Is there any unbreakable law that says the fastening on the duvet absolutely HAS to go at the foot of the bed? If you can bring yourself to have it to one side, the proportions of the duvet might match the proportions of the bed?

You could be onto something there Elegran!

I've just changed ours and its 220 x 230 with stitched squares - I've decided to stop worrying.

I find that different duvets ha e stitching going different ways so it doesn't always fit cover. But my daughter told me label of duvet should go at top right side (or bottom left) and that always seems to work

I made a sort of 'throw' which is the width of the bed plus the (2 x) depth of the mattress and then generous tuck-in amount to go under the mattress, but only 18" wide, then I interlined it with two thicknesses of sinamay (used for making delicate hats) to help keep its shape, and the duvet has never fallen off the bed nor gone down to the bottom since then, and it looks decorative as well !

Surely, tucking it in is not the thing to do with a duvet holcott? And they are not supposed to be the same shape as the bed or there would be a gap all round when people were under it, Kate?

I find duvet covers made out of soft fabric really annoying. The duvet never stays right up into the corners and along the top. So you get a flap of cotton under your chin without any duvet in it. Grrr.

that's why I rotate mine Jing.

jings I have even considered putting a bit of velcro to hold the top of the duvet up against the top of the cover, but I think it would be uncomfortable.

kitty The duvet can be the same shape as the bed without being the same size - the overhang is even on all sides if the shape is the same.

I put a rug over the foot of my bed in winter and tuck it in to hold the bottom of the duvet in place, otherwise it either slides further and further down and uncovers my shoulders, or else my feet stick out the end and let in a draught. (sounds like the tramps blanket) In summer the rug is replaced by a folded cotton bedspread.

My spare bed is an oldfashioned one with a footboard, on that one the end of the duvet is tucked down between the footboard and the mattress.

Hi kittylester - the duvet isn't actually tucked in itself, just the 'throw' about a foot from the bottom of the bed, so you can still get in and out of bed as if it were not there; it certainly stops all the duvet mysteriously ending on DH's side of the bed!!

Hi Elegran - your rug is doing the same job as my 'throw' by the sound of it.

I put mine with the stitching from head to toe as I feel you can tuck it around you easier. If you don't do that then either way is OK.

Oh, come on girls - this is SO screamingly obvious! The stitching has to go vertically from head to toe - 'cos it makes you look taller and slimmer!

Does anyone else buy a duvet thats bigger than their bed? I always have a Kingsize duvet but my bed is just a double (smallish room). So the cover hangs well down the sides and there is no chance of a draught up your back when turning over.

Nannanoo it would have to be a very long but not very wide duvet to do that

tanith our bed is kingsize and so is the duvet - any larger and I would struggle to change the cover. I do know one or two couples who each have a single duvet on a double or kingsize bed - sounds good to me!
The spare room has a double bed and a kingsize duvet though!

Stitching runs from head to toe so it drapes round your body. With the older ones you shook the feathers to the bottom in summer so you didn't need a separate light-weight one.

I have been reading your discussions about duvets, but I have a query about mattress covers. I can't seem to find one that fits well all round and doesn't come untucked most nights. I would love to know if anyone has any advice about where to find a decent one. We just have a standard double bed.

Jansty we use double ended suspenders (purpose made) to hold the mattress covers in place. Some manufacturers call them sheet straps.

I put mine in with the stitches running up and down. I've just started putting the cover on as demonstrated, by the rolling method. Much easier than trying to crawl inside with the corners!

I've just lost the will to live

I've only just returned to this thread (since posting weeks ago!) because it's been dragged up the page, and I've been reading through. And feeling silly. Because yes, of course it's a double quilt, not a king size one, that is 200 x 200 . I used to buy king size for use on a double bed when we shared a room (because DH was a bu@@er for turning over and taking all the quilt with him!). Now we have separate rooms, so no need. I just buy standard double ones.