How to make a Duvet Cover Set for Girls

What can be more inspiring than our children? I do anything for my little girl and to see her smile. Sometimes I think she’s an unusual child, or maybe I just haven’t had enough experience with kids but the things that make her happy at the age of 4 don’t seem the usual ones. She’s happier with cute dresses than with toys and she cares about her bedroom and loves having a lovely duvet cover set especially if pink is involved. She loves having things that are only and especially for her so anything with her name on it makes her feel over the moon. LOL.

How to Make a Duvet Cover Set for Girls

How to make a Duvet cover Set for Girls and also learn how to make cute pillowcases too! cover image with title text overlay

I take a huge pleasure in making things for her because she cherishes them so much, She actually cares about who gives her anything and she never forgets. She has this PJ that a friend of mine gave her. It used to be her daughters. Each and every time I put it in the bathroom and she gets ready to wear it, she would tell me “Mommy Totis gave me this PJ and I love it”. Or if it’s a dress that grandma gave her she would always say “Mommy grandma gave me this dress”.

When she watches me making something that she knows is for her, she always tells me, Mommy I love what you are making for me! And God knows how proud I feel every time I see her happy when I make something for her!

This bedding set was one of my Christmas gifts for her. I had to hide to make it so it would be a surprise. It’s not the usual kind of tutorial you would find on my blog. I usually share quick and easy projects but this one took me about 3 or 4 days to finish. Of course, I didn’t spend 24 hours on it, but I can say I spent several hours a day.

I’ll do my best to explain each step the best I can and as organized as I can.

This bedding set has 3 main parts. The duvet cover itself, the embroidered name and the pillows.

This was made for a twin-sized duvet cover. You might need to adjust the amount of fabric you need according to the size of duvet cover you will be making.

The first thing is to check the duvet exact measures in the duvet’s tag. Mine says 140 cm X 200 cm. I added 3 cm and 5 cm just to be sure it would fit fine in the new cover.

close up of duvet's tag

Let’s start with Supplies:

  • 2 yards of white sheet fabric {the name might change between countries}
  • 3 yards of a patterned fabric for the bottom layer of the duvet cover
  • 1.5 yards each of 3 different but coordinated patterned fabrics.
  • Thread
  • Buttons
  • Lace ribbon {4 strips of 20 cm or 8 Inches}.
showing the fabrics to use

* Here where I live most fabrics are 150 -180 cm wide {59 – 70 Inches}. If where you live fabrics are not as wide you can follow Corey’s technique to make the fabric wider.

Now I’m going to start with the pieces you need for the duvet cover and then I’ll show how made my girl’s name on one of the cover sections.

For the top layer of the duvet cover you need:

  • 2 rectangles white fabric 35,5 cm X 143 cm {14X56.5 Inches}
  • 2 rectangles fabric of EACH patterned fabric 35,5 cm X 143 cm {14 X 56.5 Inches}

For the Back of the duvet cover you need:

  • 1 piece of 143 cm X 205 cm {56.5 X 81 Inches}

Additional pieces:

  • 1 Rectangle of 143 cm X 15 cm {56.5 X 6 Inches}
  • 1 Strip of 143 cm X 5 cm {56.5 X 2 Inches}
  • Fabric scraps for letters.

The order in which I made to top layer:

Pattern 1 – White – Pattern 2 – White – pattern 1 – Pattern 2.

We are using one of the white rectangles to create the name. Because of the measures, the name shouldn’t be larger than 60 cm X 20 cm {24 X 8 Inches} but’s actually up to you; you can play with these measurements.

Print the name you want to place in the duvet cover in the actual size.

showing the cut paper letters

Cut the letters and then using them as pattern draw and cut them in different fabrics {if you want it can be in one fabric}.

showing the drawing of the paper letter made on the fabric

Place each letter in the white fabric. Once they are as you want to pin them in place. Make sure they are well pinned so they won’t move.

top view of the letters in fabric already cut forming the word
Placing each letter on the white cloth and pinned

To make sure the letters don’t move around, stitch them first with a straight seam really close to the edges.

closer image of machine stitching each letter to the white fabric
closeup of machine stitching each letter to the white fabric

Then using the tighter zigzag stitch the sewing machine allows, zigzag all around the edges.

closer view of Using the tightest zigzag stitch that the sewing machine will allow, around the edges.
showing the result of the sewing process in a letter

When all the letters are done stitching, iron the whole piece so the fabric fits into place. Usually it gets wrinkled because of the zigzag.

Then let’s start assembling the top layer together.

Take the pieces pattern 1 and plain white. With right sides together stitch with a 1 cm seam and then serge the edges so that it won’t come fray apart in the wash. If you don’t have a serger like me, simply run it through the machine again with the zig-zag stitch making sure that it catches the fabric on the outer edges.

close up view of machine sewing on edge of fabric
close up view of zigzag machine stitching on edge of fabric

Then do the same but adding the pattern 2 with the right sides together. Then stitch the white fabric with the name on it, and then pattern 1 and the last panel would be pattern 2.

Iron the whole top panel so it will be easy to manage. This is more or less what you would have so far {the other half is there I promise, just didn’t have enough space}.

top view of the top panel cover on the ironing board


Now lay your top layer onto the bottom layer right sides together and pin all the way around on 3 sides, not pinning on the side with the hem and pocket.

On each top corner pin in place one strip of lace ribbon. Make sure the middle of the ribbon is right over where the stitch will go through.

close up image of a corner of one of the quilt layers with a white ribbon and pins to hold them together

Stitch all around the edges of the cover except for the opening leaving 1 cm seam allowance.

Also, make sure to stitch back and forth on top of the ribbon to secure it. These strips secure the cover onto the duvet so it won’t move around inside.

top close image of white ribbon sewn with machine

I wanted to create kind of a pocket in the inside of the cover, so the duvet wouldn’t show through the opening. This is where the additional pieces come in and it’s a bit tricky.

Take your rectangle of 143 cm X 15 cm {56.5 X 6 Inches}. Make a hem on one of the largest edges. Take the top layer last panel’s edge and this piece with right sides together and pin in place. Stitch them together leaving 20 cm from each end with a 1 cm seam allowance.

You should get something like this:

showing the hand folding the edge of the fabric that is going to be sewn inside the duvet

Take your bottom layer piece and your strip of 143 cm X 5 cm {56.5 X 2 Inches}. With right sides together lengthwise, seam along the edge also leaving 20 cm from each end with 1 cm seam allowance.

Turn it back with the wrong sides together.

Fold inwards the other edge and pin in place.

showing hand separating with fingers different layers of fabrics

Having top and bottom layers right side together, hold the part where you didn’t stitch on the bottom layer and twist the fabric little where the stitch starts and pin together.

close up image of the different layers of fabric
close up of hand with pin joining the layers of fabrics

Lift the pocket piece and get the top layer edge joining the bottom ones.

close up of hand on the fabrics and the pin joining the fabrics

Finally lay the pocket piece on top of everything. You will have a 4 layer edge to stitch.

showing the 4 layers pinned together to sew along the edge
showing the space that must be left open in order to later turn the duvet over

Pin right where the cover opening starts {20 cm /8 In.} so you don’t stitch more than you should. Also pin in place the 4 layers.

showing the reserved space with pins that must be left open to be able to turn the duvet later

Pin the other 2 lace strips on each corner.

showing the reserved space with pins and a ribbon that must be left open to later turn the duvet

Stitch along until limit pin.

closeup of Stitch along until limit pin.

When you lift the pocket piece you should see this:

showing the opening once it has been sewn

Then stitch the bottom layer hem all along.

sewing the bottom layer hem lengthwise
showing the already sewn hem of the bottom layer throughout

Turn the pocket right side out and fold it back. Stitch the sides to the cover following the seam.

Serge or zigzag all the edges. Then cut all the frayed remains so the zigzag is clean.

zigzag sewing all the edges with the sewing machine
showing scissors and the cut of the excess of the threads by the edge

Make a cut on each corner so it’s easier to manage the corners when turning inside out.

showing the cut of the corner of the duvet on the inside

Now it is time to turn that sucker right side out!!!

The final step is adding the buttons. I used medium size buttons 20 cm apart. I Made the buttonholes using the attachment that came with my sewing machine and followed its instructions.

I also didn’t want the buttons to be visible, so I sew them on the inside pocket fabric and the buttonholes on the bottom layer.

view of a Duvet Cover ready on bed

*TIP: Try making the buttonholes on another piece of fabric first so you are sure the size and style are fine before doing it in the actual cover.

Ok the duvet cover is ready.

perspective view of a Duvet Cover ready on bed

Now Let’s work on the pillowcases. I made 2 because she has 2 main pillows.

For this I used these 2 combinations:

showing a pieces of fabric

Fabric needed:

  • 2 rectangles of 65 cm X 52 cm {25 X 20.5 In.} Fabric A
  • 2 strips of 52 cm X 12 cm {20,5 X 5 In.} Fabric B
  • 2 strips of 52 cm X 4 cm {20,5 X 1.5 In.} Fabric C
placing in order to sew the pieces of fabric

Fold in half lengthwise all the strips. Press.

making hems with the iron in one of the small pieces of fabric
making hems with the iron in one of the menium piece of fabric

Fold inwards the edged of Fabric B to make a hem.

Folding and ironing inwards the edged of Fabric to make a hem.

Take each fabric A and place fabric C and place it close to the edge, about 1cm from edge and pin.

IMG_8197

Then Insert fabric A and C between both hems of fabric B. For this match fabric A edge of fabric B hem edges. Then lay the other edge over the fabric C.

placing the fabrics together to be sewn
layering the fabrics together to be sewn

Pin in place and do it with the other side.

joining the by layers the fabrics with pins to be sewn

Stitch along the fabric B edge.

close up of the sewing machine sewing the layers of fabrics

Then with right sides together, stitch all 3 sides of the pillow pieces. Leaving the patterned fabric side open. Serge or zigzag the edges.

showing the zigzag stitching of the edges

There you go!

ready made pillowcase top view

Do the same for the other pillowcase with your favorite fabric combination.

top view of 2 ready made pillowcases in different colors of fabric

That’s it!

cutout side view of 2 ready made pillowcases in different colors of fabric
showing Bedding Set for Girls Pillowcases

You can do some matching pillow covers as well to make the bed even prettier. I made all these pillow covers. I measured each pillow my girl has and made them following the same process as for my Christmas Pillows.

cutout side view of 2 ready made pillowcover in different colors of fabric

On one I monogrammed the letter E with the same technique I used for the cover.

showing cushion with the monogram of the letter E

On another I stamped a cute design using heat transfer vinyl. The design can be found on Silhouette Store and I added “Mom’s Princess”.

showing cushion with the stamped a cute design using heat transfer vinyl

The others have no design.

showing cylindrical cushion
showing small cushion

So this is it! This is my final result of my girl’s duvet cover set. Hope I made sense throughout the tutorial. I’m not a sewist as is and I also don’t know most technical words in this area. But I hope you can follow if you are interested in making one of these!

general lateral view of Duvet Cover Set for Girls
general lateral closer view of Duvet Cover Set for Girls
general lateral closeup of Duvet Cover Set for Girls
Bedding-Set-for-Girls-Embroidery
closeup of letters in  of Duvet Cover Set for Girls
showing Bedding Set for Girls heat transfer vinyl
general vertical picture view of Duvet Cover Set for Girls

Hope you like this project; it’s made with all my love. Let me know all your thoughts or questions in comments!

If you like this duvet cover project, I’m sure you might also love these too:

Til' next time...

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12 Comments

  1. Beautiful duvet and pillows! Love the colors and the personalization. No wonder Emma is so proud of mommy made things! Your tutorial was great — thanks for taking the time to put together such easy to follow directions.

  2. What a lot of work! Wow you have truly created something beautiful and unique. I love the contrasting colours and patterns! It’s so nice that you get so much pleasure creating things for your daughter. My daughters are thankfully exactly the same, I can make the smallest of things for them and they love it.

    1. That’s an awesome feeling isn’t it??? I love seeing her face even when I make her a hair bow!!! Thank you so much for stopping by. I’m so glad you like this project!
      Hugs

  3. Wow, this is so pretty! I’m still a beginner in the sewing department, but I can’t wait to get to the point where I can make something like this! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Bree

  4. Oh my goodness, Cami! These are absolutely gorgeous! I love, love, love the pink and green, I’d have given anything to have this in my room when I was a kid (or even now!). And you can tell there was love sewn in with every stitch :)