Duvet Cover/Dust Ruffle Tips

Materials:

3 coordinating fabrics
welt cording
buttons

Steps:

Note: The top and back of the duvet cover are made out of three pieces each--one full width of fabric for the center panel and a split panel with half sewn onto either side of the center one to provide enough width (figure A--miniature sample). The top piece is then cut in half widthwise to create the button opening that allows the duvet to be inserted.

1. Cut the top and bottom pieces (make the top pieces about seven inches longer) and be sure to allow for half-inch seam allowances. Sew the top and bottom sections together to form large front and back pieces.

Shari Hiller offers these tips for making dust ruffles:

• To gather fabric easily, zigzag stitch over a piece of string. Anchor the string at one end with a pin and gently pull on the other end, easing in the gathers.
  
• The flat panel of fabric that's between the box spring and mattress should be slightly smaller than the top of the box spring so that it's always covered by the mattress. For this to work, the ruffled side pieces need to be a bit longer (figure C).