A guide to buying quilts, comforters & blankets

Comforters

Composed of two layers of decorative fabric sewn together on all sides, a comforter is filled with down or fibres. They are usually stitched through to secure the filling and ensure that it is evenly distributed. The stitching is functional and not decorative, like a quilt.

Duvets

Similar to a comforter is a duvet. Like a pillow, a duvet is usually white and purely functional; it requires a duvet cover for decorative purposes. It is essentially a big bag filled with down, feathers or synthetic fibres. The cover fits over the duvet (like a pillow case) and closes with buttons or a zipper.
 

Different Blanket Materials

Blankets are woven from a variety of materials; each has its own advantages.

1. Cotton fabric blankets are lightweight, soft and hypoallergenic. They are also easy to wash. However, they don’t work for very cold climates.
2. To keep yourself warm and toasty, choose a wool or cashmere blanket. Wool is also breathable with moisture-wicking properties that keeps you warm and dry.
3. If you are allergic to wool, try a fleece alternative which is made from synthetic materials. Fleece blankets are also relatively easy to wash at home.
4. Another synthetic alternative is acrylic which is machine-washable and fade-resistant.
5. Finally, polyester blankets are very durable and long-lasting. It also can take a machine wash without losing shape.
    

Quilt Battings: What are They and What are They Made From?

The batting, sometimes called wadding, is a thin inner layer usually made of cotton or wool used as the middle layer in a quilt. The most common batting materials are:

Different Types Of Filling Materials For Comforters And Duvets

The filling of a duvet or comforter determines how warm it is. One factor to keep in mind is GSM or grams per square metre. It means the amount of fibre that has been used. The higher the GSM content the warmer, thicker and heavier the final product will be.

1. Cotton filling makes the covering breathable and hypoallergenic. These tend to be light-weight are good options for moderate winters. However, they aren’t very fluffy.
2. For very cold climates, choose a comforter with a wool filling which is a good insulator. While these are moisture-wicking, they cannot be washed and will need to be professionally cleaned.
3. Down filling is a high-quality and luxurious option. It is very warm but fluffier than wool. If you are allergic to wool, a down comforter or duvet might work for you.
   
4. Another option that is high on the luxe factor is a comforter with silk fibre filling. It is breathable and hypoallergenic but high on maintenance.
   
5. Finally, the popular option is a synthetic one like polyester or microfibre. The options available today are light-weight yet warm as it can trap warm air. It is also soft and fluffy and not as expensive as down or silk.
   

Choosing the Right Bed Covering

•  Loft

The loft or thickness of the filling of batting determines the weight of the covering as well as the level of insulation it will provide i.e. how warm it will be. Quilts, fleece blankets and dohars make excellent coverings for infants and babies because they provide warmth without being too fluffy or thick.

•  Draping

Depending on the batting material for quilts and the loft especially for duvets and comforters, the covering will drape differently. While this may not be a key criterion in choosing a covering, it will affect the final look of the bed. For example bamboo batting has a soft drape while 100% cotton batting is quite stiff in the beginning and need to be used a lot to loosen up. Additionally, a thicker covering like a comforter blanket with wool filling will not have a soft drape.

•  Maintenance

Bedding sets linen for children, households with pets or bedding sets linen used by people with allergies would have to be washed pretty often. Lightweight dohars and quilts as well as cotton, polyester or fleece blankets can easily be hand or machine washed. Read the maintenance instructions carefully as some dyes may bleed. The heavier and thicker the covering, the more difficult it is to wash. As such, heavier wool blankets and quilts with thicker batting might prove difficult to launder. This is also why people usually prefer duvets to comforters as you only have to wash the duvet cover. To keep the duvet clean, vacuuming and a few hours of sunning should do the trick. Using a machine to wash a comforter may flatten the filling or make it lumpy. In such case, you might have to consider getting it professionally cleaned. 

•  Size

It is recommended to buy separate, twin-sized coverings for children. If you or your partner move around a lot in your sleep, you might consider separate coverings as well. If you are going in for a shared covering, get a size that is one size bigger than your bed to be able to sleep comfortably while not being so large that it falls over the sides on to the floor if you use it as a bedspread.
 

Where to Buy
 

1. Safomasi

The range of quilts by Safomasi are hand quilted blankets and made from 100% cotton cover and filling. Their hand screen-printed patterns are inspired by their travels and adventures. The vibrant designs and joyful prints feature original and unique illustrations.

2. Fabindia

Fabindia’s collection of cotton dohars and quilted blanets feature beautiful hand-block prints, hand-screen prints and Dabu prints. They also feature traditional embellishments like Gudri embroidery.

3. Himeya

Himeya offers a range of duvet covers with matching pillow covers in materials like percale, sateen and cotton linen. From subtle solids and rich hues to calming prints and subtle geometrics, there is a vast selection to choose from.  They also offer a collection of quilts and dohars in luxurious cotton varieties.
 

4. Little West Street

Little West Street has a wonderful range of organic cotton and muslin dohars and quilts for babies and kids. They also offer bedding sets that make decorating your little one’s room a dream.
 

5. Divine Casa

For microfibre comforters, browse through the colourful and patterned range by Divine Casa.
 

6. Raymond Home

Raymond Home has a collection of blankets made from polyester, wool and wool blends perfect for various conditions from AC blankets to heavy winter blankets.
 

7. Nila House

Nila house offers quilts that are made by the rural communities in India. Some of these are made with techniques that ensure that the no fabric goes waste in production. Even with their simple designs, the products are striking and comfortable.
 

8. Saphed

Saphed is known for creating naturally textured, organically dyed and ethically made bed sheets. These come in a variety of colours, right from neutral shades to bold bright ones.
 

9. Okhai

Handcrafted by women that come from underprivileged backgrounds across India, Okhai offers contemporary designs through various products. They offer a range of quilts and bedcovers made from pure cotton.
 

10. House of Ekam

House of Ekam has a collection of quilts in a variety of designs. Right from contemporary to traditional motifs and patterns are found here. The products are made from high thread count cotton fabric which is layered with block printed muslin fabric. These come as a set with pillows and a storage bag.