Types
of Natural Bedding
Introduction (Back to Top)
This section is designed to showcase the many types of bedding
products that contain down and feathers. There really are
few things in life that make a consumer feel as pampered as
luxurious down bedding. Although we include many of the more
popular uses of down and feathers in bedding, this list is
certainly not all-inclusive.
Pillows (Back to Top)
Although pillows may seem simple, there are actually many
variables involved in making a pillow. The three basic parameters
of a pillow are:
- The fill
- The fabric
type
- The pillow
construction
The fill
can be a blend of feathers or down all the way from 5% down
/ 95% feathers to 90% down / 10% feathers. The general rule
of thumb is that the more down, the softer the pillow. A pillow
with a 10/90 fill is 10% down and 90% feathers - this type
of pillow is firm with a bit of give (This pillow is less
expensive due to the lower down quantity). The 50/50 pillow
likewise has 50% down and 50% feathers and is softer then
the 10/90 pillow. Some consumers find that the 50/50 product
is firm enough for support and soft enough for comfort. Although
choosing the most comfortable pillow is completely subjective
to the sleeper, often pillows are sold as 3 distinct densities:
soft, medium, and firm. Unlike foam pillows, down pillows
surround the sleeper's head with luxury and don't lose their
loftiness or softness.
Pillows
can be made from a variety of fabric and finishes. Although
cotton is the most popular fabric type, pillow shells can
be made of cotton, silk, tencil, etc. Generally, as the thread
count of the pillow fabric increases, the price of the pillow
will also rise. A thread count of 230 or higher means that
the pillow is "down proof" (a measure of air permeability),
but often lower thread count pillows are specially treated
with starch sizing to prevent feather and down leakage. Pillows
may have gussets (side walls), piping, or embroidery to embellish
their appearance.
There are
a few different pillow constructions:
- Standard
Bag - The basic pillow stuffed with some variation of the
fillings mentioned above.
- 'Chamber'
- This type of pillow features a 'core' usually filled with
feathers and then surrounded on the outside with down. This
pillow features the firmness of feathers with the comfort
of down on the outside.
- Down
Top - This type of pillow is similar to a single 'Chamber'
except that the core is flat with the down still on the
outside.
Down
Comforters (Back
to Top)
When evaluating naturally filled comforters, there are 5 major
considerations:
- Comforter
construction and size
- Shell
fabric
- Fill
type
- Quality
of fill
- Fill
weight
Comforter
construction can include anything from a wide-open 'bag' filled
with down and feathers to an inner-locking baffle box that
traps the fill from moving within the comforter. Here are
the basic construction types that you will most likely see:
- Channel:
Horizontal or vertical 'columns' that are either sewn through
the top and bottom layers of the comforter shell or baffled.
- Karo-Step:
Either baffled or sewn-through crosses that limit the down
movement within the comforter.
- Ring
Stitch: Small dots that are sewn through the top and bottom
layers of the comforter.
- Sewn
Thru Box: Sewing the top and bottom layers of the comforter
in horizontal and vertical lines, to form boxes that can
range from 4" - 18" in size. The ultimate in eliminating
down shifting in the comforter.
- Baffle
Box: a thin fabric connects the top and bottom layers of
the comforter shell, allowing the fill to touch along the
sew lines, providing more loftiness than sewn-through comforters.
- Framed
Baffle Box: The same as a baffle box, but with 1 or 2 "frames"
along the four sides of the comforter.
Here is
a chart showing some of the common comforter construction
types:
Here is
a chart showing a 'top' view of the inner constructions of
a sewn thru and a baffle box comforter:
Here is
a chart showing what baffle box and sewn thru constructions
would look like if you cut the product in half:
Comforters
generally are sold in three or four sizes (twin, full, queen,
full/queen, king), although there is no real 'standard' size
for a given bed size. Some customers prefer an 'over-hung'
look, and as matresses are getting thicker, this requires
a larger comforter for the bed. Most consumers do not tuck
the comforter below their matresses, they simply allow it
to hang over on the sides and foot of the bed.
Like pillows,
comforters can come in a variety of fabric types that can
be finished in different methods. They also may be accented
with specialized piping, embroidery, color, scalloped edges,
sateen gussets, etc. Generally, as thread count increases,
so does the price of the product.
As discussed
in the Down and Feather 101 above, the fill type, fill quality and fill weight all dramatically
effect the quality, functionality, appearance, and price of
the comforter. Roughly 60-70% of the cost of a finished down
comforter is in the fill, so this tends to be the most important
element. The more weight and the higher the fill power of
the down, the more it insulates. Often, these two figures
are adjusted in tandem to make the desired warmth level of
the comforter.
Down
Blankets (Back
to Top)
Down blankets are used atop a bed for when a consumer wants
to have less warmth - typically during the summer months,
or in hotter climates. Most down blankers utilize a sewn-through
box construction, and some have sateen edges to add to the
esthetics of the blanket. Although less down is used in filling
blankets, they are becoming much more popular among consumers
as a substitute for a comforter.
Down
Throws (Back
to Top)
Down throws are smaller in size and weight than down blankets.
Down throws typically measure 50"x50" and feature
just 3-4 ounces of down. Down throws are great for using while
relaxing on the couch, or for bringing to a cold football
game.
Featherbeds (Back to Top)
Although in Europe featherbeds are sometimes used instead
of matresses, here in the United States, many people love
to place them on top of their matresses as an extra layer
of cushion and loft to sleep on top of. Featherbeds also come
in a variety of shell constructions, including: bag style,
channel construction (vertical or horizontal), bafflebox,
and down-topped. They can be filled with a feather and down
blend or synthetic clusters. The fabric is usually down proof
cotton twill and some feather beds have gusseted side walls.
One important note to remember is that by adding a featherbed,
the sleeper will now have a new layer of insulation under
her. This will make the bed feel warmer, and may warrant a
lighter comforter to compensate for the bottom layer of insulation.
Decorative
Pillows (Back
to Top)
Decorative pillows, often called 'pillow inserts,' are mainly
used by consumers to put into decorative fabrics and place
on beds, couches, etc. Decorative pillows come in dozens of
shapes and sizes allowing tremendous flexibility to the end
user.
Miscellaneous
Bedding (Back
to Top)
Miscellaneous bedding encompases those types of bedding products
where its use has a specific purpose - like a reading pillow
or a pet bed. If you can think of a new design, it can probably
be made. Here are several of the more popular types of bedding:
- Body
Pillows - These pillows are used in the bed for 'hugging'
by the consumer while sleeping. They are also great for
pregnant women to 'spoon.'
- Pet Beds
- Pet beds can be made for cats and dogs and are usually
round, square, or rectangular in shape. These types of products
are often filled with a feather mixture or a synthetic fill.
- Reading
Pillows - Reading pillows also referred to as 'Husband'
pillows are designed to allow the consumer to sit upright
in bed and read.
- Travel
Bedding - Travel bedding can include mini pillows and throws
for use on airplanes to specialty pillow protectors for
hotel pillows.
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