A duvet is usually a blanket filled with down.
Quilt is a term with an etymological origin in the French word édredon . The concept has two meanings according to what is indicated by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) in its dictionary.
The first meaning mentioned by the RAE refers to the down of some birds. A down, meanwhile, is a type of fine feather that is found under the external plumage. At this point it is worth noting that feathers are the horny pieces that, formed by a shaft that penetrates the skin and by a shaft that has barbels, cover the body of birds.
Although the RAE refers to the duvet as a down, the most common use of the notion is linked to a blanket that is generally filled with this type of feather. In any case, there are also cotton and other material duvets .
The duvet as a coat
We said that the duvet is a cover : that is, a warm covering that is used in bed . From this definition we can find several ideas similar to the one represented by the duvet.
A quilt can be a bedspread (a cover that functions as a coat, but also as an ornament), a blanket (a rectangular piece that serves as a coat) or a quilt (a stuffed blanket). In many cases, in fact, these terms are synonymous .
A duvet can also be described as a bedspread . In short, it is a textile product that is placed on the bed and with which people usually cover themselves so as not to be cold when they go to bed.
Historical origin
The origins of the duvet are found in rural areas of the European continent. These covers were made from the feathers of the eider duck, a genus of ducks with the scientific name Somateria .
The eider's feathers act as thermal insulation. As early as the 18th century, blankets made from these feathers were used both above and below the individual who was lying down.
Today, duvets have spread worldwide, being very popular in northern Europe. It is interesting to note that birds with down feathers known as duvets usually live in that region.
There are different types of duvets.
Different duvet fillings
According to the RAE , a traditional duvet is one that is filled with down. These duvets are classified as natural , standing out for their ability to retain body heat , which is why they are often used in cold regions.
There are other natural duvets that are not filled with down. We can name wool duvets , silk duvets and cotton duvets , among others.
Synthetic duvets , on the other hand, have a filling made of polyester or other artificial fibers. Unlike natural ones, synthetic duvets do not manage to maintain heat very effectively, which is why they are used in heated environments or when temperatures are not very low.
Preparing the bed
Typically, on a bed where a duvet is used as a cover, the mattress is simply covered with a sheet and then the duvet is placed directly on top. This configuration, however, depends on each person's preferences.
Some people use two sheets in addition to the duvet. You can even choose to add another quilt or blanket. Typically, the duvet is left loose on the bed.