Make a Duvet Cover from Sheets

In the US, most sheets are sold in sets: top sheet, bottom sheet, and a pillowcase or two. When we switched to sleeping Scandinavian-style, I suddenly had a stack of top sheets without a purpose. Some I donated. Others I repurposed. And then one day I realized that I had the raw materials for a duvet cover, so I started making duvet covers from our top sheets which has saved a lot of money over the years.

This is a fairly simple sewing project with straight seams, but the volume of fabric means you need a large place to work or it becomes overwhelming. So find a bigger table with some clear space around it to set up your project.

What size and how many sheets do I need?
That depends on what size duvet cover you will be making. To complicate things, different manufacturers make sheets in different dimensions. So the best approach is to measure what you have. But as a rough guideline a twin can be made from two of any size sheet or one king sheet. Everything else will probably need two sheets.

Where is the top?

The direction of the pattern on your sheets will determine where you put your snap or button closures. If the top of the sheet (where the deep hem is) is intended to be folded over, then the pattern will run bottom to top. In other words, the top hem of the sheet will become the bottom hem of the duvet with the snap tape or buttons. If the sheet is not designed that way, however, you’ll want to put the snap tape or buttons at the bottom of the sheets, so that the closures are by your feet, and the pattern is running the right way.

If you have solid fabric or a print that is not directional, this doesn’t matter. Put the closures in at the top hem as the extra layers of fabric will make it stronger.

Step 2: Sew the Snap Tape

With the right sides out, find the middle of the end where your snap tape will go. Mark the middle with dressmaker’s chalk on both sheets. Separate the snap tape. Line up the middle of your snap tape with the middle of each sheet. Pin it into place on the wrong side of each sheet working from the middle to each end. Sew the snap tape into place on each sheet using your zipper foot.

Step 3: Sew the Side Seams

Snap the sheets together to check alignment and to hold everything in place. With the snaps still snapped, flip the sheets so they are right sides together. Pin the sides. Sew each side seam. If you have raw edges from a side seam, use a mock French seam to prevent fraying.

Step 4: Sew the bottom seam

Once both sides are done, now pin and sew the bottom seam. Again, if you have raw edges, use a mock French seam to prevent fraying.

Step 5: Add the Duvet Ties

Cut whatever you are using for the duvet ties into 4 equal pieces. Fold each piece in half, and secure one in each of the 4 duvet corners, sewing it securely to the seam.

For this duvet, I made my own ties from the scraps I cut off the bottom. I cut the bottom seam off with a 1 inch seam allowance, and then sewed the raw edge back onto itself — essentially half of a mock French seam. This made a long strip which I then cut into 4 pieces. I hemmed the ends of each piece and sewed them into the corners.

Want to know my simple trick for putting on duvet covers?

This is part of a larger series on duvets, beds, bedding, and sleeping Scandinavian-style. I hope you’ll click the links below to find out more about all-things-sleeping and my Guest Room Refresh.