How to make a baby duvet cover

1. Materials & tools

Materials (regular, 90 × 120 cm)

• Outer (double gauze or sheeting) — about 110 cm wide × 150 cm (43 × 59 in)
• Lining (the same) — about 110 cm wide × 170 cm (43 × 67 in)
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Baby” → “Baby duvet cover” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the duvet's width and length, the ease and the depth of the envelope flap. Presets cover mini, regular and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Measure the duvet
   Measure its width and length first. The cover is those figures plus about 2 cm of ease.
2. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace the cutting line.
3. Cut the pieces
   One front, and one back — the longer piece, with the flap.
4. Transfer the notches
   Mark the fold line on the back piece.

4. Sewing

4-1. Finish the opening edges

1. Fold the bottom edge of the front by 1 cm, then 2 cm, and stitch.
2. Do the same on the bottom edge of the back.
3. This edge gets pulled every time the duvet goes in and out. Backstitch at both ends.

4-2. Fold the flap

1. Lay the back right side up and fold the bottom edge inwards at the notch.
2. That folded section becomes the flap that holds the duvet in.

4-3. Sew the two pieces

1. Lay the front on top, right sides together, and sew the two sides and the top.
2. Leave the bottom — that is the opening.
3. Backstitch at the corners, where the strain lands.

4-4. Turn and finish

1. Zigzag or overlock the seam allowances.
2. Turn right side out, ease the corners and press.
3. Put the duvet in and tuck the flap over it.

✏️ Two centimeters of ease is enough. More and the duvet swims about inside and ends up bunched at one end by morning. Less and it is a fight to get in. Measure, add 2 cm, and stop there.

5. Tips & variations

• Make two: bringing up milk is routine at this age. A spare keeps you going.
• Corner ties: if the duvet still shifts, add ties inside the four corners and knot them to it.
• Fabric: double gauze is light, dries fast and softens with washing. Brushed cotton suits winter.