The duvet is usually a down-filled coverlet.
Duvet is a term with 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 below the external plumage. At this point it is worth noting that feathers are the horny pieces that, formed by a barrel that penetrates the skin and a shaft that has barbels, cover the body of birds.
Although the RAE first refers to the duvet as down, the most common use of the notion is linked to a coverlet that is generally filled with this type of feathers. However, there are also quilts made of cotton and other materials.
The quilt as a coat
We said that the duvet is a coverlet : that is, a warm covering that is used in bed . From this definition we can find several ideas similar to what the quilt represents.
A quilt can be a bedspread (a cover that works as a coat, but also as an ornament), a blanket (a rectangular piece that serves as a cover) or a quilt (a filled cover). In many cases, in fact, these terms are synonyms .
It can also be indicated that a duvet is a bedspread . In short, these are textile products that are placed on the bed and with which people usually cover themselves or cover themselves so as not to be cold when they go to bed.
Historical origin
The origins of the quilt are found in rural areas of the European continent. These covers were made with eider feathers, a duck whose genus bears the scientific name of Somateria .
The eider's feathers act as a thermal insulator. Already in the 18th century, blankets made of these feathers were used, both under and above the individual who was lying down.
Nowadays, quilts have expanded worldwide, being very popular in northern Europe. It is interesting to note that birds that have feathers known as duvets usually live precisely in that region.
There are various types of quilt.
Different duvet fillings
If we look at the RAE , the traditional duvet is one that is filled with down. These duvets are classified as natural , standing out for preserving body heat , which is why they are usually 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 duvets, synthetic duvets cannot maintain heat very effectively, which is why they are used in heated environments or when temperatures are not very low.
Preparing the bed
Usually, in the bed that uses a duvet as a cover, you only cover the mattress with a sheet and then put the duvet directly on it. This configuration, however, depends on each person's preferences.
There are those who 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.