How to Make a Comforter

How to Make Your Own Hand Quilted Comforter

The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Tired of comforters that are the wrong size or weight? You can sew a comforter that perfectly fits your bed and is exactly the fabric you want. You can also make it the warmth and thickness you want by choosing the batting that works for you.

Making your own comforter is perfect for customizing your bedding or those times when you see a duvet cover you love but you would still prefer a blanket that doesn't shift around. Sewing a comforter is similar to making a quilt, but without all the piecing and binding around the edges. If you can sew a straight line, you can make this! Gather your essential sewing tools and get stitching.

Rolled DIY Comforter

The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Basic sewing tools (pins, measuring tape, sewing scissors, etc.)

Materials

  • Fabric (top sheets and simple duvet covers are a great option)
  • Batting (choose a thickness and fiber content for the warmth you want)
  • Perle Cotton Embroidery Thread or Heavy Hand Quilting Thread
  • Beeswax or other thread protectant

Instructions

  1. Measure and Cut the Fabric and Batting

    To determine what size your comforter should be, measure the bed on which you want to use it. Decide how far you want the sides to hang down and add that to the left, right, and bottom edges, then add one inch for the seam allowance.

    Use scissors or a rotary cutter and ruler to cut the fabric to the correct size. Finish the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying. Cut the batting to the same size.

    Other than oversized top sheets or extra-wide quilt fabrics designed for backing, most fabrics won't be wide enough for your comforter. To avoid a seam right down the middle, divide the original top to bottom measurement in thirds and add the seam allowance to each one. Sew the pieces together.

    If you're working with a duvet cover that's already the correct size, then you're already a step ahead!

    Cut the Fabric and Batting to the Desired Size of the Comforter

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

  2. Pin and Sew the Comforter Layers

    With the top and bottom fabrics right sides together and the batting underneath, pin around all the edges. Sew around the comforter with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving an 18-inch opening for turning.

    Trim the seam allowance of the batting at the four corners.

    Pin and Sew the Fabric and Batting Layers

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

  3. Sew the Opening Closed

    Turn the comforter right side out and poke the corners into shape. Open the seams and press if needed, then fold under the open seam allowance and pin.

    Sew along the opening with a 1/8-inch seam allowance to close it up. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

    Sew the Opening Closed

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

  4. Pin the Comforter to Baste the Layers

    Add as much quilting or tying as needed for your batting or even more if you'd like.

    Use safety pins to hold the layers together or use very large stitches to baste the comforter. This is similar to making a quilt sandwich and keeps the fabric and batting from shifting as you quilt it.

    Pin or Baste the Comforter Layers

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

  5. Start Hand Quilting the Comforter

    It's important to quilt the layers of the comforter in some way. This keeps the batting inside from shifting around or even tearing. Be sure to refer to the packaging from the batting you're using to see how close it needs to be quilted or tied.

    To quilt the comforter, cut a piece of perle cotton or heavy hand quilting thread that's about 3 feet long. Coat it with beeswax or thread conditioner to strengthen it.

    Hand quilt the layers with running stitch. Traditionally, you would use a very small needle, but you can use a larger needle more like you would with sashiko embroidery. It may help to mark lines on the fabric to ensure straight stitching.

    If you're not a fan of all that hand sewing, you can machine quilt the comforter or use perle cotton or yarn to tie the layers. To tie your comforter, take a stitch through all the layers and tie a secure knot, trimming the ends to about 1/2 inch.

    Hand Quilt the Comforter Layers With Waxed Thread

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

  6. Finish Quilting the Comforter Layers

    Add as much quilting or tying as needed for your batting or even more if you'd like.

    Use safety pins to hold the layers together or use very large stitches to baste the comforter. This is similar to making a quilt sandwich and keeps the fabric and batting from shifting as you quilt it.

    How to Sew a Comforter

    The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

Enjoy your DIY comforter and consider making some matching sheets or pillowcases!