Winter surf in Waimea, Oahu
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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Duvet/Futon Cover


Mom mentioned a while ago that she needed a new cover for her futon.

We'd looked at several stores including in Japan, but couldn't find one.  People will sometimes sew a sheet on but that's such a bother to launder.  You have to resew it every time you wanted to wash it.  Hmmm... I remember doing this as a kid.  I had to baste the cover back on the futon.

When we were at Ikea in Illinois, Art noticed some duvet covers.  Even the twin size looked like it would be too big.  Still, the cost was reasonable so Art decided it was worth a try.  The liked the snap closures.

We all thought this purple pattern would really appeal to mom and we were right.  She loved it.  I used the old futon cover to measure the size and sewed the sides of the duvet cover to fit the smaller futon.

Oh happy day!  It worked beautifully!  I still can't for the life of me understand how mom can sleep with a futon, but that's what she likes.  In fact, I remember growing up sleeping under a futon.  I wonder how I could have liked sleeping under a futon when it's so hot in Hawaii.  Come to think of it, my brother still uses a futon.

I think my blood must have become thicker while living on the mainland.  Whatever the case, mom is happy with her omiyage (gift) from Illinois.  She's happy, so we're happy.

Photo from Wikipedia
POSTSCRIPT:  Oops!  From the comments I've been getting, I realize that people don't know that mom's futon is like a comforter, but heavier.  She sleeps on a regular firm mattress on a low box spring.  She didn't want her bed on a bed frame because it would make it too high and she was afraid of falling off.  In Japan many people still sleep on a firm futon or folding mattress below and a softer futon on top for a cover.

PS:  I'm sorry I had to put the Word Verification on again.  I'm getting way too much spam lately.  It's really aggravating.  Unfortunately Blogger is not able to catch everything.

14 friendly comments:

gigihawaii said...

I remember having to sew the cover on when I was growing up. We had to vacuum and mop the floor first. What a hassle.

Since leaving my childhood home, I simply lay a blanket on top of a clean sheet and fold the top of the sheet over the blanket. So simple and easy to remove for weekly washing! What's so hard about that?

Lin Floyd said...

interesting. we had a futon but it wasn't the most comfortable bed to sleep on...but if mom's happy that's great!

Jeanie said...

That is very pretty and it looks like you did a great job. I know you are happy that your mom is happy with it.

DJan said...

I slept on a futon for years and loved it, but I was young then. Now I sleep on a fairly firm mattress with hubby. He didn't like the futon at all. When I was in East Asia I found the heavy duvet was fabulously comfortable to sleep under. Is that what you mean by UNDER a futon?

I have been pretty lucky to have Blogger catch most of the spam, but it has increased lately. I'm still captcha free, but maybe not for long. It's no big deal to type in an extra word.

jabblog said...

Your mother must be pretty agile - getting down to a futon is quite a feat and getting up again even more so. Pretty cover:-)

Anonymous said...

You did wonderful Kay! Okay, I was wondering too, about your sleeping under a futon...I've seen futon bunk beds, but there's not much room under an unfolded or upright futon. I love my cover from Bed, Bath, Beyond over my waterbed's down comforter...it was 30 degrees outside last night! DrumMajor

Kay said...

Gigi: I just found this photo from Wikipedia to explain the futon. I wonder why they didn't make the futon cover like that in the "olden" days because it sure would have been easier to remove for cleaning.

Drum Major: My daughter says Illinois is really getting cold too. I'm sorry to say we took our walk in shorts two nights ago.

Kay said...

Djan: Yes, that's exactly what I meant. I realize now that people did not know what I meant by futon in the Japanese sense. I've just added the link for the explanation. My mother actually takes her afternoon naps ON a futon with a light coverlet.

Blogger does catch a lot of the spam, but lately I've had enough go through to be an annoyance.

Christine said...

The futon cover is so pretty! Glad it worked out.

Kathy G said...

I need a new duvet cover. All the ones I've found around here are quite pricy. I wish there was an IKEA nearby!

Dina said...

All very interesting.
Your Wiki says "a pillow (makura) generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff, or plastic beads." I think a bean pillow would be nice.

My hard "futon" mattress in on a very low frame of wooden slats.

You might consider comment moderation instead of word verification.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the explanation. I remember your family's photos from Japan, with low tables and sitting low on the floor. I'd have fewer patients with fall injuries if their beds were lower! DrumMajor

Sherri said...

Glad you found a cover for your Mom. It looks great!

laurie said...

I think it looks quite comfy, thats a very pretty color as well, your mum is such a cutie,,it makes me smile to think of her.