I wouldn't be concerned about the cover being larger than the duvet, but rather whether the duvet is large enough to cover the mattress. Try laying the duvet on the bed and see whether it covers what needs to be covered both length and width wise. Then lay the cover over it and see how the length and width look. My 100% linen tea towels shrunk minimally when washed in cold water. Your cover shrinkage may be even less given the cotton content. My duvet cover is quite a bit longer than the duvet so the excess length goes at the bottom of the bed (hidden by the foot board that is same height as the mattress).

I have two PB duvets (which I love!) both cotton and they have never shrunk. That said, the duvet we use in it suffers from the same problem in that it is smaller than the duvet cover. I shake it so that the part we use has the best fit and the part we don’t is tucked in to where the mattress meets the footboard.

I tried both on the bed and they both fit though the insert width is a few inches shorter on the sides for the duvet cover. Really the duvet cover is actually almost too large for the bed IMO. My mattress is only about 10" deep. I guess I'd rather have it on the large size now because eventually we will buy a new mattress and it sounds like they're all pretty thick these days.

Note to self - best to wash duvet cover when really hot and can hang on clothes line vs. dryer. It keeps wanting to roll in on itself.

The insert being smaller than the duvet must be common. I just finished dressing 3 beds with duvets, and the duvet covers are larger than the inserts in each one. I put the inserts in anyway, and they are just fine. I split the difference on all sides. At first, I tried to be exact but that proved difficult, so I winged it. The inserts did not have ties, so I used foam clips on the corners and the middle of the side edges. I was leery of using clips, but they work well and are not detectable in the duvet.

Sheelsback, it's a lot of work, but I think you will be pleased when all is said and done.

Thanks for the feedback. Oh, how I hope I like this when it's all done. I need to watch videos on how to put the insert in. If you've found one to be helpful feel free to add it here. :) I wish I would have bought the clips. I have to wait until the weekend to head out for sewing supplies.

I'm also now concerned it's going to be too hot for DH and possibly me. Night sweats are back --joy. However, we've both been cold lately with just cotton sheets and a thin coverlet. Maybe a down insert would be money better spent.

Going to test it out tonight.

Wow the PB duvet cover went from 88"x92" down to a whopping 84"x90"! I washed cold water gentle cycle and dried on low as stated per instructions.

Back to add - It wasn't too hard to put on. Looks good.

I just checked the euro shams and they didn't shrink. I mean I'm glad but they're the same material. They're still measuring 26x26".

If we had a deeper mattress the queen size (PB duvet) wouldn't fit! It would definitely be too short on the sides. Hope this mattress works forever.

I have the same problem with my West Elm duvet cover. It noticeably larger than the down comforter so there is empty space all around the edges. I’ll have to look for a larger duvet. It’s always something!

I love the poufy feeling sleeping under a duvet. I did sweat but it’s thyroid related. I kind of missed not being cold the first 10 min of being in bed, ha. When I asked what he thought he said it felt like he was sleeping under denim. ....but he slept comfortable. I don’t use fabric softener. Hopefully it softens in time by washing.

Bedroom update: pb duvet is white and dark blue (almost black) stripes. I bought a white bedskirt a while back but it’s only 14” drop and I need 17“ so need to get a different one. Going to order pillow fabric. Going to use the Windsor Palm (green/blue) on euros (putting pb ones away for now) and a long blue velvet lumbar with gold Greek key trim. I need to get a few more majolica plates for around my mirror. Have most of the art. Need to buy the art I picked for above bed but that and the bathroom rug I bought from eBay ties it all together. Still waiting for it to ship. Bedroom is painted. Need to paint bathroom (probably bm Hale navy) and vanity (bm cloud white) Found fun green knobs off Etsy. White shower curtain from RH with navy embroi stripe. Need to order curtains and Roman shades for bedroom. Looks all good in my head.

I’m excited. :)

I guess it’s a good thing that it did, but I am shocked that your duvet shrunk!!! I have had mine for a few years now, but geeze...I feel like I gave you bad info now and I’m sorry :c(.

Oh definitely not your fault Lukki! Sometimes I’ll see reviews for one thing and half the people say an item shrunk or tore and the other half says it didn’t. The good thing I guess is it fits the duvet now. By the time we get a new mattress it may be time for different bedding. I’m going with that. Ha, though DH shakes his head not understanding why I want to change the room now. :)

Very true, thanks for that! I will say to watch for lost buttons on the duvet, I’ve had to reapply buttons on both of mine.

As for the mattress, can I suggest you avoid those thick pillow top types? They may look and even feel comfy in the store but they are the biggest waste of money EVER. Save for a latex mattress that you can use on a slat or platform bed. They cost more but you don’t need a box spring and it will offer good sleep for both you and your DH for many many many years!

I grew up with the whole duvet/duvet cover and have to say that inserts that are too small (or covers that are too large) are one of my pet peeves. It's much, much better to have an insert that's too large because it will be nice and puffy. I find IKEA inserts and covers a great deal and good fit.

Lukki I'm making note of that for a mattress, thank you!

Nosoccer - Oh Ikea! I never seem to think of that place because there isn't one around here. A friend of mine that travels a lot picked up curtains for me twice. I'm happy with them. I considered buying a larger insert but they seemed SO much larger I figured it would be a problem. It doesn't get odd and bunchy? Do you use thinner inserts or thick ones?

I didn't add ties yet and it's starting to shift a little and it's bugging me that the top edge/seam is down a few inches from where it should be. On a good note DH is a cover messer upper and this stays pretty much in place when he sleeps.

Mine has buttons and wish it didn't for a few reasons but I have it flipped with the buttons face down and at the bottom of the bed. The euro shams, if I were going to use them, I think I'd flip them to show the back. The stripes on the back go the same vertical direction as the duvet. The stripes on the front go the opposite and my insert is almost too big (it's only 2" larger) because of the buttons. It looks like it wants to pull apart.

I really like that one Shee, Every season, I tend to pop onto PB to check out their new duvets and that one has always caught my eye. It’s not fussy and has a very calming and comfy look to it.

I have found that my duvet covers are always larger than the duvet itself. Very frustrating because both are always queen sized. I have bought covers from a variety of places. All my duvets are from either The Company Store or Cuddledown. Shee, yes, I do find that the cover gets bunchy and then I feel caught up in it when I roll over or rather when I try to roll over. Hate that. Still, I put up with it because I love my down duvet. One thing that helps, but I don't usually do because it sort of defeats the purpose of having the down comforter, is to use a top sheet with the duvet and cover.