<p>Pay attention to the dimensions of the duvet you buy and get sheets that have at least those dimensions with several inches extra for seaming each side. My D likes extra blanket width so I may have bought a full/queen duvet and full sheets. I sewed three sides and a small amount on each end of the bottom side, then left an opening large enough to get the duvet in and out. I turned the fabric under and sewed Velcro to each side of the opening. Some people do buttonholes and buttons, some sew on snaps and some add ribbon for a few ties. You can do it simple or intricate. </p>
<p>And also keep in mind they might use that top sheet when it is 85 degrees in September and they have no A/C in their dorms. My D says her dorm is always really hot and she hasn’t had to turn on the heat in her individual room yet this year- the coldest winter for many of us- because it’s just always warm in there. I guess if all the other kids have their heat cranking, then her room ends up warm since it is surrounded by them. </p>
<p>Keep the top sheets and teach your daughter how to use them on the mattress and make hospital corners. Very useful when the bottom sheet is in the wash. FWIW, myself, both kids–we all only used a bottom sheet and a comforter.</p>
<p>@NewHavenCTmom----I don’t sew, but have been buying duvets and covers for decades. Once you have a poorly make one, you appreciate the well-made ones. The better duvets (and I do not even mean massively expensive) will have something sewn onto the bottom two corners of the duvet. The duvet cover should then have fabric ties inside the bottom two corners so that you can secure the duvet inside the duvet cover. Otherwise, you end up with a massive bunched duvet all at the bottom of the cover. </p>
<p>I like buttons on the bottom underside, although a zipper can work also.</p>
<p>For years I never used a top sheet, but now can’t imagine living w/o one! I shudder to think how infrequently my son will change his sheets at school next year.</p>
<p>Thank you! I will try to be a little crafty this summer…it will make sending her away a little easier? Having something made from home will be nice!</p>
<p>My boys liked thin comforters and blankets, but girl likes duvets, no top sheet. Funny thing - son lived in a house that was freezing and probably used more blankets than sister in frigid climate. </p>
<p>Her first year dorming found room too hot and sometimes sleeps on top of blankets. Same is case in house she lives in now. Such a personal preference. </p>
<p>Well this is all terrific feedback: thank you! Since my daughter received an acceptance to one of her top schools last night, it looks like we can move forward with the fun project of dorm room necessities :)</p>
<p>Staceyneil, </p>
<p>Wherever she goes, remember that she probably won’t need as many things as you and she thinks she needs. She will also have to transport and store all that stuff at the end of the year. If she goes far away, you can always ship her certain things she asks for. Keep in mind the weather, too. </p>
<p>She might be in a triple dorm room with very little personal space, or have the smallest closet. Having been through the first year sending kids off to college experience several times, our oldest brought the most and didn’t use most of it! </p>
<p>Sometimes it helps to plan out a list of the things that you should bring for the first day. We brought sheets and a towel with us (shipped mattress pad which arrived first week), bought pillows there and shipped other heavy stuff. Clothes she didn’t need first month were sent later. </p>
<p>Bought all toiletries upon arrival, including a basic first aid/OTC meds kit. </p>
<p>You sometimes have to see the layout of the room to even understand what she will need.</p>
<p>Congratulations to you daughter! SLS makes a great point. D and I went Target and BBB shopping near her college during the move-in days after assessing her room and personal space dimensions. Your D’s roomies might even suggest coordinating their bedding - there was a thread on it here in the café.</p>
<p>You should start hoarding your BBB coupons, now. We didn’t use that many because of how we shopped, but did give out numerous extras to the kids and parents in line when we did buy stuff. </p>
<p>BBB coupons never expire. </p>
<p>You can also ship directly from store to student’s dorm - BBB actually didn’t even charge us shipping based on the price of the order - but don’t ship until you know it is okay to do so. The dorms will have dates when they can get shipments. Better to wait when the madness dies down. Sometimes the mailroom is a disaster (most times, actually). </p>
<p>The other way to do it is to shop with a scanner in the store ahead of time and then pick up what you want when you get there. There is no obligation to buy anything you scanned, either. </p>
<p>There were certain things not avail on the scanner that D wanted at BBB that were local to the school - ie, branded merchandise. Just picked those up when we got there.</p>
<p>Also - not sure about other people’s experiences, but found the sheets cheaper and nice quality at Target than at BBB. Knew that she would only use a Twin XL for one year in dorms so didn’t want to spend a lot. (Now in a full size bed in house.) Few kids dorm after one year at her school. Something to consider. </p>