Bed linen with a duvet instead of a duvet cover

Ask any modern housewife a question about what components a bedding set usually consists of, and she will confidently answer that it includes a sheet, a pair of pillowcases and a duvet cover. However, connoisseurs of the latest trends will disagree with this statement, because recently sets without a duvet cover in its classic form have become very popular.

In fact, it is wrong to say that a duvet cover is not included in the bedding set at all - instead, a special blanket is used that can accommodate another, warmer version of the blanket. In fact, such an accessory could be called an ordinary duvet cover, but a thin layer of insulating filler is sewn to the outer fabric inside. As a result, in the summer such a blanket is quite enough to hide it without additional bedding or to use it as a bedspread, and in winter you can add a blanket inside in the classic sense of the word - thick and warm.

It seems strange to old-fashioned housewives that a blanket does not need a duvet cover and can be used on its own, but in fact, this solution has many advantages. Here are just a few of them.

• Saving money. Buying a complete set of bedding is a far from free task, and the duvet cover allows you to reduce costs due to its impressive versatility. Such an accessory alone acts as a blanket, bedspread or duvet cover, but it costs comparable to one of these items. The exact cost depends on the materials from which the accessory is made.

• Saving free space. Bed linen in large families takes up quite a lot of space - in summer, when it's not hot, classic duvets are sent for storage. Such accessories with a large amount of filler require a lot of space in the closet, which is often difficult in cramped apartments. The blanket-bedspread does not completely solve the problem, however, its equivalent additional insulation is possible with the help of a thinner separate blanket, which, when folded, will take up much less space during storage.

• Ease of maintenance. The urgent need to use duvet covers in classic sets is due to the fact that taking care of a thick winter blanket is not easy - without external protection, it collects a whole store of dust and can quickly become stained. It will not work to stuff a voluminous accessory into the washing machine, and every time no practical housewife wants to spend money on dry cleaning.

• Replacement speed. No amount of skill and experience will help to replace a blanket in a classic duvet cover quickly enough - bed linen must be treated carefully and carefully, otherwise it will tear from excessive pressure and put an edge on the question of updating sleeping textiles. Alternatively, you can buy a duvet cover made from a more durable and better quality sewn fabric, but this will negatively affect the price and hurt your wallet. Meanwhile, the duvet cover is two in one, you don't need to fill it anywhere, which means the problem is solved!

• Harmonious appearance. For the beauty of the bedroom interior, it is customary to use the rule that all textiles in the room should be uniform. Even bed linen with curtains should be harmonized with each other, and after all, many housewives, limited by the need for austerity, even buy a bed set in a cut-down form (only from pillowcases and sheets), because this way the purchase costs are lower. The option of bed linen with a blanket-bedspread will cost a little more, but it will turn out to be more profitable for the future and at the same time will allow you to maintain harmony in design.

If, nevertheless, to touch upon the topic of shortcomings, it turns out that they are not so numerous and important, but sometimes they can still spoil the impression of the purchase.

• Firstly, a bed set with a duvet cover is still more expensive than a classic set with a duvet cover - if you already have a blanket, there is simply no point in overpaying.
• Secondly, in case of contamination of a universal accessory, the owners are forced to think about how to replace it while the bedspread is being washed and dried - or you could just buy two identical duvet covers.
• Thirdly, the versatility of the accessory allows you to perform the functions of many items, but in the event of damage to the accessory, you are instantly left without everything that this accessory replaced.

The well-established production of bed linen without a duvet cover from many different manufacturers means that sets of all the most popular standard sizes are available for sale today. Among the most popular are one-and-a-half and double sets, but bed linen for single beds and even smaller children's sleeping places can be found on sale.

In terms of pillowcase sizes, such an impressive variety is not observed - there is an absolute leader among the standards (50 by 70 centimeters), which is the most common.The second most popular is the size of a square pillowcase (70 by 70 centimeters), and some manufacturers put pillowcases of different sizes in one set. With a strong desire, you can find pillowcases in other dimensions, but today the standards described are very widespread and the easiest way to focus on them.

In an effort to find a way to the heart of each individual consumer, manufacturers have established the production of products from various materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. If we talk about the textile component of the set, then the least negative properties are observed in three fabrics, which are used most often.

• Cotton. It is almost certainly present in any set of bedding, since it is a natural hypoallergenic material, pleasant to the touch and beautiful in appearance. Cotton has the ability to "breathe", so one hundred percent cotton sets will be the best summer choice - it is not so hot to sleep on them. Many housewives are sure that they are well acquainted with the traditionally inexpensive cotton and its properties, but it should be clarified that there is a sea of ​​varieties of cotton fabric with separate names and properties. Calico and chintz, flannel and terry, as well as rather expensive percale - all these are also varieties of cotton! However, poplin is in great demand when sewing bed linen without a duvet cover - a little rough, but durable and wrinkle-free.

• Satin. A striking example of the fact that cotton is very multifaceted is satin, which is only one of the varieties of cotton fabric, although many manufacturers in the product descriptions separately mention these two materials. Satin linen will definitely appeal to those who prefer to sleep on a perfectly soft bed - the front side of the fabric is very reminiscent of silk. At the same time, the reverse side is not devoid of some roughness, which will be a plus, because the sheet does not slide out of bed.

• Viscose. Modern fabric of artificial origin, which is made from cellulose. It is not easy to determine viscose by one appearance or touch - there are a number of different technologies for its production, depending on which the matter can resemble both silk and wool, both linen and cotton. Viscose “breathes” and absorbs excess moisture, differs in soft texture and small mass, it is not typical for it to become electrified.

In advance, the quality and durability of the chosen bedding set can be determined not only by information about the fabric, but also by the brand's reputation - if millions of consumers are satisfied with the company's products, then you are unlikely to be disappointed. A simple conclusion follows from this that the choice in favor of a promoted brand is always justified, even if it is accompanied by a small and, as it seems to the layman, unjustified overpayment.

Russian brands predictably offer cheaper sets, so you should pay attention to the leaders of the domestic textile industry. It:

• "Monolith";
• "ArtPostel";
• "Vasilisa";
• "Sleeping Spalych".

Foreign brands are also represented on the Russian market and have won a good reputation among domestic consumers. These include:

• Belarusian underwear "Blakit";
• Turkish TAC and Arya;
• Chinese Cleo and Sailid;
• Greek Togas;
• Italian Blumarine.