Sew Ties on a Duvet Cover (When Your Duvet Cover Is Larger Than Your Duvet)
Do you have a duvet cover that is larger than the duvet? Sew ties on your duvet cover to keep it from moving around inside the duvet cover.
Do you have this problem? You buy a duvet cover and it’s way bigger than your duvet?
When you buy a king size duvet, you would think that a king size duvet cover would be the exact same size, right? So many times this isn’t the case!
How do you prevent it from slipping around inside?
The best way to prevent it from slipping around is to clip it in place but I find those clips so annoying and half the time they slip off. Inside ties are the best but the ties won’t line up to the duvet itself if it’s not the same size.
The best way is to sew ties onto your duvet cover and I’ll show you how easy it is to do with the following instructions.
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Supplies:
- grosgrain ribbon (I’ve used scrap pieces of fabric on a duvet cover before and they work fine but they will fray like crazy on all sides)
- thread that matches duvet cover
- needle
- scissors
- measuring tape
Directions:
1. Cut 4 lengths of ribbon 17 inches each.
2. Fold one corner over and stitch into place. This will prevent fraying but it will also make it easier to thread each tie through each loop. (If your duvet doesn’t have loops on each corner, don’t worry, we’ll get to that below).
3. If your duvet cover is not a perfect square (mine isn’t),measure the lengths of the duvet and determine which way you want it to lay on your bed. I prefer the longer length to go from side to side so that there is more overhang over the sides rather than the end. Lay the duvet this way on top of the bed.
4. Lay the duvet cover over top of the duvet so that one corner of the duvet cover and duvet is together (for example, both top right corners) and hold in place with a clip or make sure it doesn’t move. Now measure the opposite corner (top left corner) to see how much bigger the duvet cover overhangs from the duvet. My duvet cover is 12 inches bigger than the duvet. To make the duvet sit even in the duvet cover, I will measure the ties 6 inches from each four corners of the duvet. (The top and bottom of my duvet and duvet cover are only a couple of inches off but I stuff it in there).
5. Turn the duvet cover inside out and make sure all the seams are out and flat on one corner. Lay a tape measure from that corner, fold the tie in half and pin to your measured spot on the seam. Hand stitch into place. (I stitched over it a few times to make sure it’s there for good!)
6. Luckily my duvet had loops sewn in each corner but if your duvet doesn’t, you can buy cording and sew onto each corner. Cut a loop (just look the photo below) and sew it on by hand or run each corner through a sewing machine.
7. Lay the duvet cover centre over the duvet and tie each corner into each loop. Turn right side out and place on the bed.
Now my soft duvet sits centre in my duvet cover!
When I make the bed each day I hold the tie area on one side as I fluff up the bed and repeat on the opposite side. It’s not perfect but it’s better than before!
click in case you missed:
How to Style Your Bed with Different Sized Sleeping Pillows
That is a great idea, I have the same problem too! Thanks for the instructions!
Thanks Laurie! So frustrating. Hope this helps!
Hugs, Jamie
OMG! I’ve had this problem for ages! Why on earth do they make the covers sized so differently from the actual duvets? I’ve also tried every clip out there, and they just come off. I’ve also tried tying the cords from the cover just around the whole corner of the duvet because I never seem to get a duvet with loops. Thanks for the tutorial! I’ve known I could just sew the ties and loops on, but it is nice to see it posted by someone. Might just inspire me to actually get off my duff and do it!
Thanks for your comment, Tracy! It’s the most annoying thing, right? Glad we’re on the same page 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Awesome thank you for such a great idea I have this problem and it is so frustrating !,! Now I have a solution thanks to you 😊 With Thanks ♥️
Thanks Linda! I know, so frustrating!
Hugs, Jamie
My issue is the opposite…..the cover needed washing. It ended up 6″ too short. It was cotton, nothing that couldn’t be washed and dried. Since out duvets are used on top only and removed for sleeping. Since I use lots of pillows it covered the gap , but grrrrrr.
That is super annoying!! What is wrong with the duvet/duvet cover world lol.
Hugs, Jamie
Thanks for sharing your idea on how to take care of this annoying part of changing duvet covers. =)
Thanks Sue! It is annoying 😉
Hugs, Jamie
What if you just made the duvet cover a bit smaller? If your cover is 6” larger, just sew up 6” on the side
Yes, that would work too. I like how the duvet cover hangs down longer on the sides though, to cover the mattress.
Hugs, Jamie
I LOVE your headboard!! Where is it from?
Hi Savannah, it’s from Restoration Hardware but they no longer sell it. I have a post with 14 other similar beds here: https://somuchbetterwithage.com/14-french-wood-upholstered-beds/
Hugs,
Jamie
Great suggestion. Could also sew loops on duvet itself. I found a pair of sheets that I’m using to make a duvet cover. I’ll definitely use your grosgrain ribbon technique on it.
Thanks Glenda! My duvet came with little loops but yes, you could definitely sew them on!
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you. Finally a great idea that doesn’t require a sewing machine. I’ve been using clips for years with no problem. Went to order new clips and find the reviews are pretty bad. Guess they don’t make them the way they used to…
I find those clips don’t work that well either. Glad you liked this!
Hugs, Jamie
I too find it frustrating that the duvet covers are so much bigger than the duvet. A friend who sees large pieces made my cover smaller. I still tie both at the corners but don’t have excess fabric. Happy May!
Hi Ilene,
That’s so smart, I hate that duvet covers are bigger too! So annoying! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Hugs, Jamie
Good tutorial. I’ve done the reverse, sewing loops inside the duvet covers and strings on the duvet. Two reasons for doing it this way are one, the cover is the one being laundered so the small loops eliminate any possibility of the strings getting tangled in the washing machine and two, I’ve got multiple covers but only a summer and a winter duvet so the greater length (and expense) is required only on those two items not repeated on the many (yes, it’s a weakness 😊) duvet covers. I’ve also used cotton drawstring cord because it tends to stay tied more reliably.
I know this post is several years old, But I just wanted to thank you for doing a straightforward, useful and short explanation. When I googled “adding ties to a duvet cover” I got all sorts of videos some of which were 20 and 25 minutes long!!
PS. I used some cheap prefolded bias tape and just stitched it closed, because I’m working with linen covers, and so sick of fraying. The cotton bias tape doesn’t come undone very easily.
Thank you so much for sharing, Nancy! I’m so glad it helped you!
Hugs,
Jamie
Thank you, this is helpful. I appreciate the illustrations! For those who have it available, maybe selvage (the stiffer bit cut from the side edges of new fabric) could be used for the ties. It would not be likely to fray in the wash and would be sturdy. I’ve heard of people saving it and using it to tie up gift packages. I’ve got a ball of it, sewn end-to-end, waiting for a project. Just a thought.
Do you sew the loops on to the wrong side of the duvet cover?
Place the cover right side down on the bed
Lay the duvet against the wrong side of the cover
Attach the loops to the wrong side of the cover
Hi Karen,
Yes that’s correct!
Hugs, Jamie
My duvet cover came with satin ties. Can the loops be elastic or is it better not to be stretchy?
( My duvet is full size but my duvet cover is queen (arggh!)
Thanks!
Hi Sue,
My loops are not stretchy but I don’t think it matters too much.
Hugs, Jamie