Duvalay appraisal

[wendy]

We have finally used our Duvalays and they are brilliant. We used them without the Dimension bed overlay and we didn't notice the lumps and bumps of the seats at all. So another thing to leave behind, freeing up more space in the luton.
We opted for the summer weight ones and with our fleece sleeping bag liners they were really snug and no heat in the van overnight. John was even too hot in the night and we are talking of last Saturday when the wind was howling and the rain was lashing down at Conkers C&CC site.
Link to Raskelf Duvalays if anyone is interested: raskelf.com/duvalay.htm

[lunnie]

Hi Wendy I was quite pleased with my overlay, but it is longer than my bed by about 10" so it curls up at my head and helps stops the cold from the cab.

If I had seen the duvalays I could well have gone for one, but didnt read down far enough, so just had the 2" gold topper.

Joan

[moya]

Jan 20, 2009 11:59:51 GMT lunnie said:

If I had seen the duvalays I could well have gone for one, but didnt read down far enough, so just had the 2" gold topper.
Joan

If I am reading it correctly Joan I think you can add it to what you have bought.

The Raskelf™ "Duvalay"™ can be also be added to either the 1" or 2" single Portable Overlays. This means that if you have already purchased and are using either the 1" or 2" Portable Overlay you can purchase the "Duvalay"™ without the foam insert.

They look lovely and if I had the pennies to spare would love to buy them. They look really snug and cosy.

[lunnie]

Thanks for that Moya, I really must start to read things thoroughly!!!!

[lunnie]

Well I have now ordered it, summer weight in peppermint green!!!!

Thanks Moya, (said I wasnt spending money this year!!!!!!!) xx

[kiwidave]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying one at the NEC show this Feb, just a quick question, how easy are they to keep clean? I am thinking about the foam, can this be dry cleaned or if it gets dirty/musty with storage can it be cleaned again

Cheers
Dave

[viv]

Thanks for posting that review Wendy. They look really lovely and am sorely tempted to buy us one each. Unfortunately they have a choice of cover colour so that will keep me busy for a while. Decisions, decisions. Took me 4 weeks to decide on new suite covers for my sitting room furniture and now this!

Seriously, just one question, what sort of size are they when rolled up, do you think they would fit into the luton in an Outlook ?

Also which grade does the mattress topper part come in or is there a choice?

Will have a more detailed look at them tomorrow but they do look good.

[viv]

Hi

Have had a good look at the product and have found the answer to my question about the quality of topper that comes with the duvalay bag.

But have a couple more questions: What is the filling in the duvet part, is it just a normal duvet or is it something special? The website says the foot part of the duvalet is dome shaped so more room for feet, not quite sure I quite understand this.

Any more info from those in the know would be appreciated.

[wendy]

kiwidave - I don't know about washing the foam, but I would think that if it was aired well after use, then it wouldn't need washing for a long time. The Duvalay has 2 covers over the foam part. Anyway if you are buying at the NEC, then the Raskelf staff will be able to answer your questions. They are very helpful and there might be show discounts.

viv - Choice of colours??? We went for navy to match the interior of our van and it wouldn't show dirty marks after a few days of camping. The other colours did look nice and I was tempted. I think that the duvet bit is synthetic polyester stuff. The 'domed foot' is a a half moon piece attached to the bottom so that your feet aren't squashed as they would be with a normal straight seam attaching the duvet to the foam part. Not a good description but the best that I can manage at the moment.
Sizes:
Roll Size 66cm (26") long x 40cm (15") Diameter
Unrolled Size 66cm (26") Wide x 190cm (75") Long

Hope that all helps - we'll have to set up a Duvalay fan club ;D

[viv]

Hi Wendy

Thanks so much for this information and I think I understand about the half moon piece, a sort of gusset inserted at the end. If so, your explanation is spot on.

What I was really thinking of was whether I could make one of these myself. I am an avid sewer, have just set up a craft workshop in a spare bedroom, have loads of spare time so thought this would be an ideal and enjoyable project to work on.

However, having looked at the price of the mattress toppers, plus a quilt, plus two double sheets or nice quilt cover to cut up for cover, sorting out the half moon insert, well just not worth the trouble!!

Let them do the complicated sewing and I will make some super duper liners instead - much easier!!!!

[lunnie]

Well if you are making super duper liners, please can you do an extra one for me plsxx

[lunnie]

Hi Duvalay cover arrived today, more spring green than peppermint green. But the quality of the stitching, is well below standar especailly for the money paid.


But I have spoken to Raskelf explained the problem and they are going to make me another cover up, hopefully that will arrive next week. Perhaps someone was having an off day on the machine.

So if the next cover is tip top then they will receive a thumbs up from me. The speed of delivery is excellant and their manner when confronted by a disappointed customer, so well done there.

Joan

[lizzie]

I also have a Duvalay which is very comfortable and cosy. However I agree that the quality of the stitching is very poor for the price. I wish now I had contacted Raskelf when I bought it last autumn to complain and request a replacement.
LizT

[lunnie]

Also it is measured for the 1.5" portable overlay, not the 2" as mine is. But I wasnt told this when I ordered, and my details were up on their computer so they knew that it would be a very snug fit.

When I mentioned this today, I was advised to trim the sides of the overlay!!!! at £105 no way will I trim it.

[kiwidave]

Jan 23, 2009 17:10:17 GMT lunnie said:

But the quality of the stitching, is well below standar especailly for the money paid.


But I have spoken to Raskelf explained the problem and they are going to make me another cover up, hopefully that will arrive next week. Perhaps someone was having an off day on the machine.

Joan

Hi Joan,

Can you please let me know how the new cover is when it turns up as I am looking to buy one when I come up to the NEC next month, what should I be looking for, should I turn the cover inside out and check the seems

Cheers
Dave

[viv]

Hi all

Joan was your 1.5 inch overlay £105 or was that the cost of the duvalay ie double pocket quilt and cover without the overlay?

Sorry to hear about the poor quality of some of these covers. From the description, I would have expected very high quality indeed.

However if the customer service is as good as Lunnie says then there should be no problem returning any sub standard items. I am a bit fussy about sewing finishes and it is not hard to get it right at that price.

Maybe it is because they are new product. Looks like I may be making my own yet! Will watch feedback with interest.

[lunnie]

I originally brought the 2" portable overlay. Then the 4.5tog duvet plus the duvalay cover which fits the duvet and the overlay which just cost £62 with postage. plus £110 originally = £172 which is quite expensive.

The sheeting used for the duvalay is nothing special, just a polyester fabric. It is a fogarty 4.5tog duvet at double the price I can buy it for.

The stitching along the zip was not neat the fabric was puckered, and in one spot, it had been pulled through, rather than it being pulled/stretched away from the zip if you know what I mean. so that the fabric is crinkley when the overlay is in it's section.

If you are a good machinist, I am sure that you could make one for less than the £40 charged Viv.

For me it would have been too much, therefore I never have a problem with paying, I am known within my family for only ever buying the 'Rolls Royce' I rather have something really good, than pay for something that is yuk, which to me is a total waste of money.

[viv]

Thanks Lunnie

Looks like I will bide my time and have a good look at one before I decide whether to buy or make.

Like you, I am happy to pay a fair price for anything, particularly from a small family business, but do expect to get good value.

[lunnie]

Hi I have received my replacement Duvalay cover and unexpected a new 4.5tog duvet, unfortunately I only returned the cover itself not expecting another duvet, even though I had expressed that I didnt think it was up to value.

But the cover itself has been made larger and it now accommodates my 2" gold overlay perfectly.

But the stitching between the two zips is the same, perhaps it is just me, as the company has won awards from MMM and just received a large order, because of the high standards they acheive.

I apologised for not returning the duvet but they have given that to me as a gesture of goodwill, and it seems I am the only person to have complained/passed comment.

I am now happy that everything fits and works, they will be examining the return cover.

The service and manner that I have been dealt with is second to none, brilliant, congratulations to Raskelf, and I hope they continue to provide a good service.

Joan

[viv]

Hi Lunnie,
Sounds like a really helpful company and glad you are now happy. I still think I may have a go at making my own as my fingers are itching to be creative and I would like a red one!!! I was going to buy a large double quilt cover and sew it to make two pockets, one for the quilt and one for the topper. The trouble is that my house is full of quilts and sleeping bags and I can do without having to store another two.

It would not work out much cheaper but I might enjoy doing it, we'll see!

[lunnie]

Iam sure that you will do a brilliant job on it. And it will keep you out of mischief!!!!

I am storing mine in the Luton! no more room in the house!

Joan

[viv]

Well, I have been a busy busy bee. I have started the first 'Romalay' for Terry and we have a lovely red cover and 15 TOG quilt - if that does not keep him warm I give up!

Just wondered though, how well your overlays fit the beds in Romahome. Our beds are just 22" wide and even pushing that can't get the measurement more than about 23". Before I cut my memory foam can you please let me know if your toppers hang over the beds or fit exactly and how wide they are.
Thanks

[wendy]

Our memory foam is 26ins wide and overlaps the edges of the beds by about 1in each side.

Look forward to seeing your covers sometime as they sound very nice. Post a picture when you have finished them.

[lunnie]

My overhangs the single bed, but fit perfectly when bed made up in the 3/4 layout, ie the seat and back cushions together,I now use my bed made up like this, as it still gives me room to use the loo during the night.

Also it is too long, but I curl the extra up at my head, keeps any draught out from the cab area.

Look forward to seeing photos of the Romalay

[viv]

Thanks Wendy and Lunnie,
Glad I asked, as I was going to cut it to fit the seats, completely forgetting that we make the bed up in a U shape ie top seats together like a double, but bottom seats left with aisle, so will just cut my foam directly in half and not to the size of the single beds.

I have had to revise my plans a little as I need to add an extension strip of about 4" made from spare pillow case as my lovely red duvet cover is just slightly too narrow - should have bought the kingsize!!

Luckily I love sewing and a challenge and have been on the look out for something to sew since I finished my last project.

Might just about get them finished for Summer!!

[viv]

Well, all done and very nice they look so far. I just have to cut the overlay and put it in next to the quilt so I can mark the line for stitching to make two separate pockets, then a bit of velcro on bottom of each pocket and away we go.

I am a bit nervous about cutting the overlay as it was quite expensive but it has to be done or the whole thing is useless of course!

[Graham]

Sounds good Viv, you could go into full time production with your Romalays and sell them, we'll do you a special deal for an advert on here, but we'll want our 10% of course. ;D

Don't forget to patent them. I can see you on Dragons Den before long.

Graham

[viv]

Hi Graham

Don't know about that, not sure my vacuum would cope with all the thread it has to pick up when I get the sewing machine out. The mess is incredible, or maybe I am just a messy sewing person (is a person who sews a sewer?!!!)

[paul]

Mar 4, 2009 10:22:14 GMT viv said:

. . . is a person who sews a sewer?!!!

Or a sew and sew?

[dorsetdimension]

I bought 2 single quilt covers in the Woolworths sale and sewed them together down one side. I made a pocket in one of them and fitted a 2" topper into this. I put a quilt in the other and I now have a very warm sleeping area with no zips (which I hate)! Total cost about £30.00.