BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?

Subject: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:58 AM

I have had it with fighting heavy blankets at night. Can't use wool, but anything else should be okay. What's your favourite fabric for being warm and lightweight to sleep under? Is silk really as warm as they claim?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: bobad
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:59 AM

Down filled duvet.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:14 AM

Down filled duvets are wonderful and I also REALLY like a polar fleece blanket. It's not beautiful but it's WARM. I found polar fleece sheets at JCPenney for about $40.00....bottom sheet, top sheet and pillow case....talk about COZY!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Nancy King
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:22 AM

Check out the "All-Season Down Comforter" at Domestications.com. They're only $50 for any size including king (cheapest down comforter I've found) and very warm and light. Mine is almost TOO warm, though it was great when the power was out in January! They have other bedding at reasonable prices too.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:34 AM

I'd also go for down. My experience with polar fleece is that I feel cool, because there is no weight on my little toes. On the other hand, if weight is a major issue for you...

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:50 AM

I vote for down too. Polar fleece is good in some cases, but isn't warm enough if you house is cool. Also, if I slept in polar fleece sheets I'd probably defibrillate myself several time during the night. At the very least, my hair would make me look like the fiber-optic lamp my mom used to have.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:01 PM

Nothing better than a top quality electric blanket.

At foot level I have an eiderdown comforter, which I pull up on really old nights. Of course it's there to help on a mental level; the house is kept at 20 C. day and night.

Where did these duvets come from? A son and his wife have them on their beds. Terrible things.
When I visit, I look longingly at the rug on the floor.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:04 PM

Goose down duvet. Quite expensive but very light, and warm as toast. Avoid feather and down mix, as they can be a bit scratchy, like a bag of cornflakes!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:21 PM

I agree with the down quilt, preferably goose down. Warm and very light.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:22 PM

Years ago, we obtained several eiderdown comforters, full double-bed size. They were expensive, but I think they are out of sight now.

A lot depends on whether one lowers the temperature at night- eco-nuts- or maintains a livable temperature; 24/24.

Silk? Dunno. We suckered on silk nightwear a while back. It has been relegated to sally Ann. Tended to crawl and felt slimy.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:11 PM

Comforters (duvets) of any type are fine until you have to wash them. I like multiple light blankets, sweatpants, heavy socks and hoody as I keep the temp between 12 and 15.5 (60) at night.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:16 PM

Q, I believe duvets originated in Scandinavia. Have to add that we have the windows open at night and the heating off. Fresh, cool air helps us sleep very well. And under the duvet we're nice and warm. You could sleep outside under a goose down one!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:16 PM

If you get a duvet/comforter, make sure you have a good, washable cover. The duvet goes to the drycleaner in the spring and I understand that, for a small fee. they will also store it until fall. Ours takes up most of the guest room closet when hung.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

If you have a few coins extra, kat, I have an idea. In a Native Alaskan art studio that I'm helping a young man set up he has a sea otter blanket for sale.


And oh, is it warm and soft and cushiony.














For just $11,000.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Tootler
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:40 PM

My daughter finds that down irritates her so she gets hollofill (sp?) polyester duvets. She usually gets a double one - a 4.5 tog + a 9 tog which button together to give a 13.5 tog duvet for winter and separate them for the other seasons.

Polyester filling is almost as light as down but it's less expensive though it's more bulky and does not fall round you so well. However it is machine washable, though you need a large machine. We take ours to a launderette nearby which has both extra large washing machines and dry cleaning machines.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:41 PM

You can also get them in 'hollowfill', a man-made filling if you think you may have allegy problems. Mine consists of a 4.5 Tog + a 10.5 Tog that you can use separately or togther. They are easier to wash as well. Here's what Tog means.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:59 PM

Apparently microfibre is the most "down like" of the man made ones.

---

Like Les, I think its good to two to use separately or together.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:11 PM

Flannel sheets and then lightweight electric blanket under goose down in a washable cover. The blankie warms it all, and the down holds in the heat so we can turn the electrics off once we climb in and get toasty.

Same setup for the dual recliner. Our house is cold and drafty!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:30 PM

"What care I for a goose feather bed?"

There's a song in there, we could get the thread moved up top.

And for me, goose down is the best.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:46 PM

I put my down comforters in the washing machine and tumble dryer with no ill effects.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:56 PM

We have NO heat in our upstairs bedroom with a door that is always closed (winter time temps in that room run about 50 degrees). The fleece sheets have been wonderful...far better than any electric blanket we've ever had. The sheets are cozy the instant you are in bed, no warming up required.

Anyway, each to their own!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:57 PM

So do I jacqui, but only once a year, and on a warm day I then put them on the line to blow, which fluffs up the down beautifully. I feel that carbon tetrachloride used in dry cleaning tends to strip the down of oils and makes it 'dead'. Also, these chemicals are not good for health. To store a duvet we roll ours up quite firmly until most of the air is out and squash it into a large pillowcase. That way it behaves itself on the top shelf of the wardrobe. Here in the UK people now use a thin duvet as a mattress cover as well, so you're snug between two of them!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 07:07 PM

Too true Eliza - that would keep one really toasty!

I agree with you about the dry cleaning - I don't like the smell of it at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 07:21 PM

On the subject of dry cleaning - if it comes back from the cleaners in a plastic bag, give it a good airing before use. Otherwise there's a slight chance of death!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 07:23 PM

Depending upon Alice's moods, my quilts get laundered frquently without ill effects. Although the colors tend to fade.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 08:03 PM

My duvet is washable. I have one in storage which was my grandmother's. I always loved it - all year round in southern Pennsylvania. It seems to insulate and adjust, perhaps because it is SO light. Right now, it needs repairs. So we use two light poly- filled quilts, and a heating pad at the feet when it is really cold. That's OK but I do prefer down.

I have a down/feather bed topper that is wonderful to lie down on. I just shake it up each time I change the sheets and it is lovely to kind of sink in to. It is heavier than a duvet so is probably more feathers than down. But I LOVE it! It was only $50 on sale, about ten years ago. Still good as new.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Janie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:05 PM

No doubt about it, down is the best in terms of weight to insulation ratio -if allergy is not a problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:17 AM

Doesn't anyone want the sea otter blanket? she asks plaintively.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 06:26 AM

Ebbie, I for one am very interested in this sea otter blanket! Could you please give more details? Is it skins with the fur on, cured and softened? And does the fur 'shed' at all? And how many sea otters' skins to make the blanket? Most unusual and interesting! On St Kilda, a far-flung island 50 miles off the Outer Hebrides, the islanders used to make duvets from puffin feathers. They scaled the cliffs on ropes, dicing with death, to grab the baby puffins from their tunnel nests.(Conservationists wince!) Their down is apparently extra insulating. Man over the millennia has devised some very ingenious ways of keeping warm hasn't he? And if we keep getting these horribly cold winters, all ideas are welcome. I personally cannot function in the cold, I need heat and plenty of it!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:16 AM

How sad for the otters and puffins.

Thank you all for your input!

I found a high recommendation of some alternative comforters designed by some hoity-toity named abboud, no longer being made, but there seem to be some leftovers and not too extreme prices.

Nancy, thanks for the link. I took a look but they didn't seem to have much variety.

I've decided I cannot use down, partly morally and partly I think it might bother Rog, allergies-wise.

So, I am off to find some pretty, microfibre or something. Question: what is the difference between "duvet" and "comforter?"

Tks!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Becca72
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:43 AM

I have a very cheap ($25) synthetic fiber comforter on my bed that is absolutely the warmest "blanket" I've ever used. It is quite bulky, though, but that is mostly because it's a queen size and I have a full size bed so there's lots of extra.

That said, whatever it is on Jacqui's bed (comforter/duvet, etc) is BRILLIANT! Soft and squishy and just lovely.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:44 AM

kat, it is no sadder for the otter and puffin than it is for the cow or the chicken or the horse. Or the human, for that matter. We all die- except me, of course. I haven't decided yet. :)

The sea otter blanket, Eliza, is all one piece. It is rich chocolate brown, light and warm. The sea otter is much larger than I used to think.

The only ones who can harvest them is the Native American, whether Alaskan or from the Lower 48. Same as with ivory- the non-native can harvest, work with and sell fossil ivory, ivory from before 1972, but only Natives have full rights to contemporary ivory. They can sell or give the finished product to the white man though.

I think it's a good policy; it prevents a great deal of speculation and exploitation.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:08 PM

Duvet is French for down. Comforter is the type of bed covering no matter what the insulating layer is made of. Not that stores reliably use these terms accurately.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:25 PM

In the UK we usually use the term duvet. We used to call them a 'continental quilt' as they used to be more common on the big bit of Europe than on the British Isles. A 'comforter' over here is more often a scarf.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:33 PM

According to my dictionary 'comforter' also means those [nasty] little plastic stoppers people put in babies' mouths.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:36 PM

kat, throw the bedspread away...and ring up Brad Pitt... ;0)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:39 PM

St. Geneve (Canada) offers eiderdown comforters ('duvets') for $2100-6000.
Eighteen ounce queen size is $2800.00, a 30-oz weight is $4300.00.
Canadian dollars, but equivalent to U. S. dollar at this time.

360-count German-made Egyptian cotton shell; choice of covers. Twenty-year guarantee against defects.

http://www.tmasc.ca/stg_filling4eiderdown/EiderCottonDuvet.html

Call toll free- 1-877-750-1212. Shipping in Canada free.

Absolutely the best. The down is from the eider nests, hand-collected after the ducks leave the nests. Collection from Eider duck sanctuaries.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:45 PM

Note- Most eider down comes from Iceland. The sanctuaries and harvesting of the down are a thousand-year-old tradition. Additional food is provided to keep the sanctuaries stable.

Many times better than goose down.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:15 PM

My last post didn't 'take'.

I had to correct a mis-statement of mine. Far from being just one sea otter pelt, I now find that it is from TWELVE sea otters, using only the prime part (the smaller parts of the pelt are used for hats and scarves and boots and the like. They waste nothing. Not to mention, they even eat the otter.)

This same Native friend a couple of years ago killed a sea otter and made a parka from its fur. He then offered it on eBay- which turned it down. He offered to show them the provenance and the authentication and they still said they would not handle it. He said he understands the thinking - he then traded the parka for a boat and then sold the boat.

Keep in mind that in the north animal skins have often meant the difference between life and death of the wearer. A far cry from the matron sporting a fur stole in Miami.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:34 PM

Did I misread? $11000? My first home didn't cost $11000.
Or car.
LOL
Mary who hopes Ebbie decides to live forever.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:38 PM

A good quality goose down duvet here costs about £400 (King size)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:40 PM

I understand all that, Ebbie. This day and age, though, I don't see the necessity of it, in most circumstances.

Q, if only! I had no idea eider could be so expensive. When I was 13, we spent the summer running and old hotel in the mtns. I slept under eider every night, old ones which had been around forever and were still really warm. I will see if I can find affordable eider IF they do not kill the geese ducks, as you say. Thanks.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:04 PM

heated mattress pad. Greatest invention since the electric blanket...

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:14 PM

Had one, don't trust them and do not like the electrical currents running up and down my bod. My son had an electric blanket catch fire and burn his foot slightly years ago. I have never used another electric product on the bed. But electricity and I have a cautious relationship anyway.:-)

I can see I shall have to wait for my first big book advance or the lotto if I want eiderdown for now. Really glad to know that is available, though.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:21 PM

"...Focusing on milkweed floss properties important in the down market, we found that floss is: a non-allergenic cellulose fiber; with a fill-power of about 350 cm3/g which is comparable to high quality goose down; white in color; 50% more breathable than down; 20% more durable than down; and 10% warmer per unit of weight than down."http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-422.html Natural Fibers Corporation

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:27 PM

Goose down cannot be compared with eider duck down. It does not have the air-trapping ability, and is much heavier.

Kat, we paid about $500 for the eider comforters some 40-50 years ago. One for us and one for each of the kids.

The best cheap substitute is a good quality electric blanket, like the ones sold by Hammacher Schlemmer (on line). About $200 for the low voltage type. Also take a look at their temperature regulating sheets. www.hammacher.com; online catalogue.

Pendleton blankets are not bad, but are heavier. Many with great native American designs. About $275 in queen size. Occasionally we but one of their limited designs for a gift.
Some prices include a gift to the American Indian College Fund. www.pendleton-usa.com.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:43 PM

"Mary who hopes Ebbie decides to live forever." Sinsull

Only if you stay too, Mary. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:57 PM

Another expensive but excellent option: cashmere. Not something I've seen advertised in bedding, but in clothing there's nothing warmer and lighter that I've found--well okay silk might compare but it doesn't have the cosiness and loft of cashmere. For bedding I supposed I'd have to knit or weave my own, but maybe it is available in high end stores I'd never think to visit. I did see a cashmere travel set advertised, but the blanket was very small. They didn't specify the price, which told me something.

But hey If it's good enough to keep the tummies of Himalyan goats warm in winter, it's good enough for me. I'm told it's combed from their bellies so only the hair they've shed is used, thus they don't succumb to the cold in their service to humanity. Cashmere is very lightweight, lighter per warmth than regular wool as far as I can tell. Just only one thin layer does as much warming as a regular wool sweater or a very thick cottone sweater, and without holding moisture (cotton's fatal flaw in the cold). Keep in mind, my comparison is completely subjective based on what layers I need at certain temperatures to keep warm during dog walks. If I could afford cashmere longjohns I'd have 'em; until I saw this thread I never thought of cashmere for blankets but why not?! In my real world, microfibre is a great substitute both on the bed and in longjohns. One clear flaw of cashmere besides price is the weakness of the fibre, hence the constant appearance of holes, darn it.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 04:27 PM

Avoid duvets from 'live-plucked' birds, they rip the down from the birds and then come back again a few weeks later and do it again. Countries known to do this are China, Hungary, Poland. Avoid cheap down bed coverings from these countries.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 04:47 PM

Cuddledown of Maine- down, synthetic, mulberry silk, cotton
The Company Store- down alternatives
Overstock.com- down alternatives
Bed, Bath & Beyond- down alternatives
Vermont Country Store- down alternatives

AllergyBuyers' Club comparisons


Better Housekeeping's reviews - down alternatives

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 05:52 PM

Went looking for cashmere blankets- just curious.

Amazon.com (just add to your next book or cd order)- has 90x90 inch, 3 pound lightweights, for $399.

The best-
http://cashmereblanketshop.com/All-Cashmere-Blanket.htm

Queen, 95x102, Brlin de Vian-Tiran pure Cashmere ('Kasmir') 300gm/meter is $2900.00.
'Mongol', 95x102, 300gm/meter, is $2400.
A 'Natalia' 90x90, also 300gm/meter, but plain jane color and border, is $1100.
One of these weighs almost 9 pounds, so not lightweight.

I found a Natalia at another site for $916- (http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/486193.htm)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 06:25 PM

Is it just sheep's wool that's a problem, Kat? We have some wonderful alpaca blankets here in Maine:
********************************************************
"Woven Alpaca Blankets are a medium weight blanket with incredible warmth. We have our prized alpaca blanket on our bed at the farm and it's all we need to survive the cold Maine winter. We can attest to alpaca being 4-5 times warmer than sheep's wool it really is!" http://www.alpacavillage.com/store/products.php

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 07:37 PM

My down comforter originally came from Penney's and my Mom sent it years ago. I wash it in the tub with a soap meant for washing down, and dry it low in the dryer with a couple of shoes to thump it around a bit.

I love sleeping under down - when it's cold in the house (I don't use much heat at night here, I rely on the covers to stay warm) the down comforter, on a bed made with a sheet and a thermal blanket (to help keep the comforter in place) means I'm warm almost as soon as I climb under the covers. I also get tired of the weight of several blankets on my feet, though when I was a kid I didn't mind it.

This time of year, when it's warm one day and cold the next, I have the down nearby, and if it turns cold, I pull off the quilt and put on the down, instead of piling on more blankets.

Take a look at LL Bean.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 08:22 PM

I don't see any mention of duvet covers. It's normal over here to put your duvet (comforter?) into a cotton cover, which gets washed more often than the duvet does. You can get a vast range of patterns and colours with matching pillow cases.

Certainly man-made fillings seem much more affordable than down, and with the money saved you can get memory foam pillows - they're great.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 10:01 PM

Being a fully paid up Dirty Old Man , I would be happy to offer my services to any nubile wenchlet who needs keeping warm at night in either your place or mine !

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 10:12 PM

Haha, Leadfingers!

Les from Hull, that's what I thought, but wasn't sure. It makes sense. We spent $90 for a memory foam pillow six years ago for me and I consider it some of the best money we've ever spent.

Any and all wool, maeve, thanks anyway and thanks for all of the other links!

No goose down for me. I would not be able to sleep knowing geese were killed to make it.

Thanks folks, it's interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 01:43 AM

I live right on the ocean and can not use down here..it sucks up the damp and the cold. In a dry cold I am sure it is fine...I do have a hard time keeping warm, probably because I insist on using this old worthless sleeping bag as part of the bedding..but in general, fake (I think) lambswool pad over electric pad not used..and a wool blanket in there somewhere..flannel sheets, wool blanket, electric blanket, worthless sleeping bag...wool is really good in this climate..I think sheepskin would be perfect. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 02:13 AM

Kat, would it be any better if the goose were eaten, used in some way? I hope they are!

I don't have a cover around the comforter, but I've intended to make one. I always fold the top sheet over the top of the comforter to keep it off the face. One of these days I'll find a couple of large attractive sheets at a garage sale and make a duvet cover. I think Michelle talked about making one last year. Easy enough, once you have the sheets you can stand to look at for all of the time the comforter is on the bed!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:57 AM

Mind you I'd've thought we all would have goose feather beds with the sheets turned down so bravely-o, the same as we all travel by milk white steed.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:06 AM

I wouldn't mind a raggle taggle gypsy-oh, but not in a cold, open field, (and I hope he doesn't snore)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 09:14 AM

I would have thought that a nice warm kitty would solve the problem. Would you like to borrow Alice?
I ain't goin' nowhere, Ebbie. LOL
M

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 05:33 PM

Well, I hope I have spent my last night sleeping under too many heavy covers which were not warm enough! Today we bought ourselves an alternative poly-fill comforter, very lightweight and promising to be warm. We even splurged and got the duvet cover for it which was actually more expensive as the former was on sale. The cats, so far, love the cover and it felt quite nice when I napped under it. The comforter isn't exactly what I would like for design etc., but it fits the decor, such as it is, well enough. I didn't want to buy without physically seeing it, so online was out. I'll let ya know more tomorrow morning. Thanks for all of your help!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 05:48 PM

Adding to Kat's post-
Sheets as cover for comforters (duvets), etc.
A while ago we went to a house auction where some excellent bedding, including long staple cotton ('Egyptian') sheets with high thread count were on offer.
We sat next to an antique-dealer friend and were a bit surprised that he was bidding. Talking after the auction, we teased him that the sheets were not 'antique', and he asked us if we had priced good sheets recently. He went on to say that a good sheet was worth more than some of the antiques in his shop. He was so right!

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 07:20 PM

I bought a set of excellent sheets at a garage sale for $10 for my son's queen-sized bed, and felt like I'd gotten away with murder. To get the same ones at Penney's would have come in around $100. Good sheets are not cheap.

I'm glad you found the comforter, Kat, and if it has the kitty seal of approval, you're set!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 11:17 PM

Thanks. I agree with you both re' the sheets. There's nothing like a good set of high thread count gently broken in cotton sheets. I always wash new sets several times before using them, always putting a bit of vinegar in the first wash to get out any sizing, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 11:11 AM

We have two duvets: one filled with goosedown, and the other filled with silk.

Our bedroom is on the lee side of the house, which has nice modern forced-air central heating, and I find the goosedown duvet too warm. It now has a regular gig in the guest room, which is on the windward corner of the house and consequently rather chillier.

The silk-filled duvet was advertised as just the thing for middle-aged women prone to night sweats, and it has proved excellent: not too warm, and definitely warm enough -- except on the occasional night when the temperature drops to minus lots and lots with a strong wind from the east. Then I get out the old Hudson's Bay Company blanket and flop it on top.

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 10:42 AM

Silk filled, that sounds really nice. So far, Rog is roasting and I am okay at first, then wake up freezing in the middle of the night and drag on a small extra blanket, not too heavy, which covers my legs and feet. It's mostly my feet. I just wear my Birks as slippers. As cold as it is at night, I am going to have to get a pair of real slippers to keep my feet warm when I get up.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Warmest, Most Lightweight Bedspread?
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 10:58 AM

This is the product I bought: SmartSilk duvet

It cost about $300 Canadian (kinda steep), but it is comfortable and washable -- DON'T have it dry-cleaned! The last time I checked, a decent blanket came in at about the same price.