~Bedspread Upcycling~

I found this fab double valanced bedspread for £3 in a charity shop this week.  Nostalgic memories of the early 1970s of sheets and blankets and bedspreads...prior to the duvet revolution!

Late 60s early 70s quilted bedspread with valance 

This is a close-up of the quilted top - who else can remember having a 'housecoat' or dressing gown in this type of wadded fabric?

I thought about selling it on eBay but decided to chop it up upcycle it into a mini-quilt eiderdown. Don't be too cross with me - the valance has also given me yards of floral fabric for bunting and aprons! These small quilts are so good for camping, as an eiderdown on your bed or just as a sofa blanket.

I use a single duvet ( a light 5.5tog cheap one from Dunelm approx £5) chopped in half and hemmed. So one duvet makes 2 quilts.  This gives a size that will sit nicely atop a double bed. I then cut out the quilted top, allowing 1.5cm seams all round, and backing fabric (I used a vintage flannelette cot sheet).  Sew along three and a bit sides, leaving an opening to insert the duvet. Zigzag edges, clip corners and turn rightside out.  Slipstich the opening.  

I place securing handstitches in each corner through all the layers, and also sew buttons through the layers, to stop the quilt moving around and also to give the appearance of an eiderdown.

Here it is on my bed finished...