European Bedding

Buyers of European linens are often confused about European bedding since it is quite different from the bedding found in Europe.

Bedding from Europe can basically be divided into 3 fairly broad categories and use 2 main types of fabric. We will cover categories first.

1.Duvet covers.

These are the equivalent of American comforter covers but they are generally smaller than comforters. Often they only sit on the top of the bed and do not hang over the side. In addition, many countries, especially Northern European ones, have adopted the habit of having individual bedding, even for people sleeping in one bed. It does eliminate tug of war issues during the night! Generally European duet covers come in sizes ranging between 50 and 60 inches wide, and 68 to 78 inches long. Finding inserts can be more of an issue, however they are available from dealers in European linens.Over the last few decades, some larger duvet covers have emerged but those are not as widespread as the older smaller ones.

A great selection of European duvet covers

2.Sheets.

Sheets can be subdivided into 2 sections. Northern European sheets and Southern European sheets (France and further South). Northern European sheets are generally twin-size, for one person only, similarly used as the duvets mentioned above. They evolved from plain flat flax (linen) homespuns, to acquire buttons (to attach them to a duvet cover), and finally often gave way to duvets. Many people in Northern Europe do not use top sheets anymore, preferring the ease and simplicity of a duvet with a cover.

French sheets and Italian sheets are most often Full, Queen or Kingsize. The fanciest ones are linen, especially the antique ones. And they go from plain and utilitarian to the most intricate and exquisite embroidered masterpieces you can imagine, especially wedding and trousseau (notably Trousseau Blue) sets. Those sheets are very sought after by collectors and used as sheets of course but also for upholstery, curtains and other home projects. Especially the heavier homespun plain sheets, they are strong and durable and suitable for other uses.

Obviously fitted sheets won’t usually be available in a vintage bedding store. That would be because fitted sheets are a later invention and did not really become widespread in Europe until well into the 1970s. You can of course make a fitted sheet from a flat sheet if you can sew.

A huge selection of European sheets including fancy French linen sheets

3.Shams

Europeans do not sleep on rectangular pillows like Americans do. Most often pillows are square. And so are the shams. Bolsters were used in France up to the early 1900s, and shams became popular after that, but you will still come across bolsters, even today, in hotels for example.

European shams are made of either linen or high thread count cotton. Often they are embroidered, monogrammed, adorned with lace and can be very fancy. Every day shams are plainer but still good quality and made to last. Generally a real Euro sham is about 30 by 30 inches square. The inserts sold in most stores in the US are 26 inches which is not the real Euro sham or the real Euro sham size. But 30 inch inserts are widely available too.

The biggest selection of European shams on eBay

To find out more about the fabrics used, please see part 2 of this guide.