<p>The problem with comforters - many dorms are too hot. (But the good thing is you can stick a duvet cover on them and it’s laundry ready.)</p>
<p>The problem with quilts - kids won’t sleep with a flat, top sheet and so the quilt needs washing often and they don’t hold up that well. (Not that kids will actually wash them…)</p>
<p>I’ve never found quilts to be very cuddly or snuggly like down or down-alternative comforters. I guess because they’re not “filled” with anything, they aren’t that soft or cozy.</p>
<p>We shopped again today and she settled on a duvet cover that looked similar to the quilt she liked. Now to choose a comforter … down or down alternative???</p>
<p>Some down comforters are not machine washable, but most down-alternative comforters are. Some people are allergic to down. Sometimes the feathers escape from a not very well made down comforter. Just to be safe, I would probably go for the down-alternative.</p>
<p>garland, thanks for that link. The quilts do look beautiful. I’ve supported fair trade organizations for many years, and one of my Ds volunteers at Ten Thousand Villages. I hadn’t seen that quilt site, though, so thanks!</p>
<p>twinmom:
I had the same dilemma as my son wanted to switch from a regular comforter to a duvet-covered one. (And the one he brought to college was ripped.) I ended up with a down one - it is the LaCrosse extra long from Company Store (on line). We already own two of them and they are the only down comforters I’ve ever had that don’t leak feathers (which is really annoying). They also sell them in polyfill.</p>
<p>Thanks Weenie - I will check into that.</p>