Down
Comforter Styles
There
are many
styles of down comforter construction. We'll talk about some of
the most popular.
First
though;
we are often asked what a duvet is. Basically, a duvet is a comforter
filled with down or feathers. A duvet
cover is, like a pillow case, the cover that protects a fine
down comforter from soil and wear and tear. A duvet cover is often
decorative as well, letting you change the look of your bed without
having to buy a new comforter.
Quilted
or Sewn Through Comforters: Many Comforters
and Quilts are quilted
or sewn through. This is also the simplest and least expensive
method of down comforter construction. Although the actual approach
may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, the down is basically
blown into the ticking, and then the ticking is sewn through in
a quilted pattern, locking the down into place. Pros: Less expensive.
Cons: Cold spots on the seams. The down is still prone to shifting
as well.
European:
This method uses "tunnels" running the length of the comforter.
These tunnels can be sewn through, or separated by a "baffle".
A baffle is a width of material sewn to the inside of the top and
the bottom of the ticking, creating a dimensional chamber, like
a box. This is a great way to allow the down to reach it's fullest
loft. Pros: Less expensive, down can be easily shifted. Why is this
an advantage? You can move the down from the top to the bottom of
the comforter, for instance, if your feet are cold but your shoulders
are warm. Cons: The down can be easily shifted.
Closed
Baffled Box-Cross Quilted: This method is a hybrid
of the Quilted, European and Baffle Box styles. After the down is
blown into the chambers created by the baffles running length-wise
down the comforter, the comforter is then "cross quilted"
or sewn through, locking the down into each chamber. Pros: Less
expensive. Cons: Cold spots on the seams, and prone to shifting.
Baffled
Box: This method uses chambers created by baffles.
The size of these chambers can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
With this method of construction there is a small opening in each
baffle which allows the manufacturer to blow down into each chamber.
A high
quality Baffled Box goose down comforter is generally superior
to all other methods. Pros: No cold spots. Down stays in place.
Cons: More expensive.