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WHAT SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING THE PERFECT DUVET?

TYPE OF FILLING

This is the crucial element as it impacts the comfort of sleep and the lightness of a duvet. The filling also affects whether a duvet will be warm enough and whether it will be breathable. Duvets are made with either a natural or a synthetic filling, where the former can be constituted by goose or duck down and feathers, silk or wool. Goose down is superior to duck down in every possible way. Goose down and feathers are characterized by a higher fill power and are larger because geese are farmed up to three times longer than ducks. The many underdeveloped ducks’ parts – which are farmed for a shorter period of time – generate a lot of down and feathers’ waste, i.e. damaged barbs. Also, due to ducks’ higher fat content their down may have an unpleasant odour that is difficult to remove even in washing. Goose down is the best available filling because:

it is breathable, durable, and has a high fill power
it has great thermoregulatory properties and ensures you maintain your body temperature at an appropriate level during sleep
it wicks moisture away, which prevents excessive sweating or overheating at night
it provides excellent insulation
it is light yet covers and drapes around your body perfectly
it is environmentally friendly – carbon footprint generated by the production of down is much lower than that generated by the production of synthetic materials. The important thing is that geese are not farmed exclusively for down; it is a material obtained additionally during the meat production process.

When choosing the perfect duvet, be sure to pay attention to the filling composition of your duvet or pillow. Mixing down with feathers or mixing different types of down is not that uncommon, so make sure to check the product description for the filling composition. This is important because the law in Poland enables a ‘down duvet’ to be labelled as such even when its down content is as low as 60%. To simplify and facilitate your shopping, our duvets are always made of 100% finest goose down! You can use goose down duvets during winter as well as summer. They are very comfortable, but they differ in their TOG and fill power levels, so it's worth knowing how to choose the one that best suits you.

COVER MATERIAL

Another factor to consider when choosing a duvet is its cover. Just as the filling is responsible for its thermal insulation properties, the cover affects its durability and the pleasure stemming from its use. Therefore, it is important that it is made of a durable fabric that will drape your body cosily.

Among the many natural and synthetic materials used, batiste provides the best cover for down. It is a delicate and soft material made of 100% natural, densely woven cotton that is designed for use in bedding products thus ensuring it is down-proof, breathable, and durable.

TOG (THERMAL OVERALL GRADE)

TOG, or Thermal Overall Grade, represents one of the most important criteria to consider when choosing a down duvet. In order to determine a duvet’s TOG in Poland the seasonal heat scale is used, which indicates whether a duvet is to be used in summer, winter or all-year round.

When choosing a duvet, it is worth considering how the temperature in your bedroom changes seasonally and whether you are usually warm or cold when asleep. Goose down is a perfect thermal insulator. A good-quality down filling means that the same duvet will keep you cosy in winter and refreshingly cool during a hot summer night.

FILL POWER

Down of superior quality has a higher fill power, which means that less down is needed to provide the same level of insulation. Fill power is expressed in CUIN, i.e. cubic inches per ounce. The higher this value the better, as it means that less down is needed to provide the same warmth level.

A fill power of approx. 550 cuin is the starting point for products by world-renowned brands. Our duvets are filled with perfect, sustainably sourced 700 cuin down. In practice, this means that one ounce of down (28 g) will occupy a volume of 700 cubic inches when expanded. It is worth noting that as the cuin levels increase, the duvets in question become lighter and more pleasant in use. Our duvets are really light – an example is a duvet from the 1926 collection in one of the most popular sizes, which weighs just over 1kg!

CONSTRUCTION

Without a proper construction or additional seams the down in the duvet will shift, creating lumps and pockets. To keep the down evenly distributed throughout the bedding, our duvets are sewn in a traditional way, tried and tested on several generations of well-rested customers. Inside each duvet, at its seams and between the two fabrics, a cotton tape is placed as it seals and reinforces the seam, thus enhancing the duvet’s durability. At the edges, the duvet is sewn with a double stitch and finished with a decorative tape, which seals the product even further.

This design prevents the down from shifting inside the duvet and forming so-called cold zones – places where not enough filling causes cold to penetrate through to the body.

THE BEAUTY OF MANUFACTURE

Once you have figured out what your perfect duvet should be made from, take a moment to consider which one will also grace you with a sense of aesthetic pleasure and a satisfying sensory experience. Choose a beautiful item that you will enjoy for many years to come. Pay attention to the classic colours that will fit into any interior, the type of quilting that suits you, or the colour of the threads used for the finishing touches. These tiny elements often play a crucial role in determining our long-lasting affection for a product.

Our duvets, quilted in large squares, resemble bars of the best, creamy chocolate. They are finished with a delicate trim and, upon your special request, may also boast initials embroidered with a golden thread.

PACKAGING – DUVET’S STORAGE

While this may seem like a minor thing, the packaging you receive with your duvet is actually very important. This is particularly so in case you decide to use duvets with different TOG levels and change them depending on the season. The packaging should be airy and tight at the same time, so that no dust or dirt can get inside.

Our beautiful duvet suitcase-like cases are hand sewn from white breathable cotton. These reusable bags will ensure you store your goose down products in ideal conditions. However, in case you use your duvet all year round, you may also use such packaging for other purposes – like storing bed linen.

The suitcase-like bags with a plastic window that you usually get when buying a down duvet are actually not suitable for storing down products because down has to 'breathe'.

GREAT SERVICE

Remember that your duvet should and can be a lifetime buy. That’s why it's worth finding a trusted manufacturer who will help you take care of your product at every stage of your sleep. Pay close attention to the maintenance facilities offered at your duvet vendor of choice, i.e. whether they can take care of, wash, and rejuvenate down products.

It is crucial that you are in the hands of professionals right from the very beginning. Professionals who will put you, your wellbeing, and your needs on the forefront of everything they do. At EMKAP 1926, we boast almost a century worth of experience, passed down from generation to generation, and sewing beautiful duvets of the highest quality is our family’s mission. Reach out to us – we’re more than happy to discuss your needs and advise you on what to wrap yourself in to enjoy a deep and healthy sleep.