Comforter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A comforter is a type of blanket similar to a duvet. Comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep. Comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering.
Like duvets, comforters can be covered with a duvet/comforter cover to protect and prolong their use. There are two primary differences between a duvet and a comforter. First, duvets are designed with the intention of being covered, and therefore have a plain, usually white outer shell. A comforter's outer shell is usually designed with a solid color or print for decorative purposes, since it is usually not covered. Second, the term duvet has traditionally been used to describe bedding filled with down, although this latter distinction has largely fallen out of common usage, and duvets are now sold with a wide variety of fills.
Comforter sizes correspond with bed sizes: twin, full, queen, king, and cal-king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed.
Construction
Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyester batting, down feathers, wool, or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. Usually, some type of quilting is used to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed.
Comforters' outer shells are typically constructed using cotton, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding in "collections."
