What is the difference between a duvet a comforter a bed-spread and a quilt?

Answer

A quilt is a thick quilted blanket/comforter, in various patterns with quilting (stitching) throughout the quilt, securing the top layer, the batting (the stuffing) and the bottom layer together in decorative shapes. Many of the patterns are generations old, handed down from mother to daughter over the years. There are also many patterns that have names, such as the "Wedding Ring" design, the "Log Cabin", and the most basic and simple of all, the "Nine Patch".

A comforter is a thick, quilted, fluffy blanket. Sometimes it's decorated and colored, but with dye, not embroidered like a quilt. It is usually filled with a synthetic fiber filler. It does not need a cover and is made to be the bedspread. It is either washed or dry cleaned when it gets dirty.

A bedspread is a pre-filled bed cover with stuffing to be used as a decorative and warming bed covering, or is made from a single layer lighter weight fabric, such as chenille, and are used as the top cover on your bed. In the warmer months, they are often used alone, with only a sheet underneath. Bedspreads do not require a duvet, duvet cover, or a comforter.

A duvet is a comforter that is filled with down feathers. The duvet is usually white, beige or off-white. It should be placed in a duvet cover. It can be made of down or polyfill.

A duvet cover covers a duvet--like a slip on decorator. Most duvets are not decorated and usually people buy duvet covers. Imagine the duvet as a big flat pillow and the duvet cover as a big pillowcase. They keep the down clean and you can change the color of your bed on a moment's whim.

As a duvet has a cover around it, it is usually not washed as it does not get dirty. The duvet cover is put in the laundry as a comforter would be. The fact the duvet is not washed means that natural materials (like down) can be used as insulation, which otherwise could be 'damaged' by laundering.