Mary Shanahan asked:
Down comforters are created using the feathers on geese or ducks and are the outer covering of the bird that makes up the protective and decorative plumage. Feathers have quills; they repel water and make it possible for the bird to fly. The down is underneath the feathers; it looks like fluffy little cotton balls and allows the birds to swim, even in very cold water. I have found down in my yard and noticed it is a cluster, and has a round center called a plumule, with thousands of tiny fibers radiating from its core. These fibers link to other down plumules creating air pockets, which in turn trap heat. This provides the insulation that keeps the ducks and geese warm. Down is mainly found on the bellies and is washable. Feathers, which by their very nature repel water, and are not washable. Most people who are allergic to feathers are not allergic to down.
Down comforters are constructed by sewing down and feathers between two pieces of material, usually made of cotton. There are two main types of down comforter construction: baffle box and box stitch. A baffle box comforter has thin strips of material sewn between the top and bottom material, mainly in a square pattern but there are design exceptions. Each baffle of a comforter has the same amount of down feathers. A box stitch comforter is is also usually sewn in a square pattern and has the same amount of down in each square. The top and bottom pieces of material are sewn together forming boxes, which also keeps the down evenly spread out across the entire interior of the comforter. The baffled comforter allows the down more room to expand.
Which is better? Surprisingly, the more common box stitch is more expensive to construct. Both types of construction serve a purpose. You must determine which is best for you.
A few points regarding box and baffle construction:
- Both baffle box and box stitch construction secure down in separate compartments, which will keep the down evenly distributed between the two pieces of material. Baffle box construction and box construction both provide you with the warmth you are looking for, but the look is different. The box stitch comforter gives a more fluffy look because each square is pulled together at its edges, which provides a “mounded” look, and conforms to the shape of your body better. Baffle box makes each square look more box-like and it makes the top of the comforter look flat, almost looking like another mattress. The internal walls of the baffle box also maximize expansion of each plumule to attach to each other, at the same time holding the down in place.
Box stitch is generally the best choice for lighter weight comforters used in warmer climates. The box stitch is also better for heavier comforters (using more fill) when you want a sculpted or puffy look, but does not allow the down to expand because of tight stitching.
Baffle box is usually the best choice for heavier comforters used in colder regions. The extra baffle walls allow the down plumules to expand fully (rise higher), maximizing the insulation merit of the comforter.
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Down comforters are created using the feathers on geese or ducks and are the outer covering of the bird that makes up the protective and decorative plumage. Feathers have quills; they repel water and make it possible for the bird to fly. The down is underneath the feathers; it looks like fluffy little cotton balls and allows the birds to swim, even in very cold water. I have found down in my yard and noticed it is a cluster, and has a round center called a plumule, with thousands of tiny fibers radiating from its core. These fibers link to other down plumules creating air pockets, which in turn trap heat. This provides the insulation that keeps the ducks and geese warm. Down is mainly found on the bellies and is washable. Feathers, which by their very nature repel water, and are not washable. Most people who are allergic to feathers are not allergic to down.
Down comforters are constructed by sewing down and feathers between two pieces of material, usually made of cotton. There are two main types of down comforter construction: baffle box and box stitch. A baffle box comforter has thin strips of material sewn between the top and bottom material, mainly in a square pattern but there are design exceptions. Each baffle of a comforter has the same amount of down feathers. A box stitch comforter is is also usually sewn in a square pattern and has the same amount of down in each square. The top and bottom pieces of material are sewn together forming boxes, which also keeps the down evenly spread out across the entire interior of the comforter. The baffled comforter allows the down more room to expand.
Which is better? Surprisingly, the more common box stitch is more expensive to construct. Both types of construction serve a purpose. You must determine which is best for you.
A few points regarding box and baffle construction:
- Both baffle box and box stitch construction secure down in separate compartments, which will keep the down evenly distributed between the two pieces of material. Baffle box construction and box construction both provide you with the warmth you are looking for, but the look is different. The box stitch comforter gives a more fluffy look because each square is pulled together at its edges, which provides a “mounded” look, and conforms to the shape of your body better. Baffle box makes each square look more box-like and it makes the top of the comforter look flat, almost looking like another mattress. The internal walls of the baffle box also maximize expansion of each plumule to attach to each other, at the same time holding the down in place.
Box stitch is generally the best choice for lighter weight comforters used in warmer climates. The box stitch is also better for heavier comforters (using more fill) when you want a sculpted or puffy look, but does not allow the down to expand because of tight stitching.
Baffle box is usually the best choice for heavier comforters used in colder regions. The extra baffle walls allow the down plumules to expand fully (rise higher), maximizing the insulation merit of the comforter.
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