Here's a nice starter site for you! ;-D
I've only done two queen pieced and quilted ones...there's a LOT of easier ones around! I think a matlesse one would be so nice to sew; I'd love to try one of those one day. Not sure what I'd do for a valance, however, as the fabric is quite firm...
Anyway....hope you get some help from the site!!
And GLAD your 40' valance is done! ;-)
...Linda

Here is a link that might be useful: Bedspread basics

This is the easiest bedspread to make. I have made a few myself and they turn out great and comfy.

I usually find a tapestry that I like for the top but any flat bedsheet will do fine. You will need two (one for the top, one for the bottom).

For the middle stuffing, I go to Garden Ridge or Walmart and get a cheap comforter that is in the size I need. (Make sure the sheets and comforter are the same size.)

After washing everything I lay it out like on the floor with the two sheets right side together, then the comforter on top. I pin it all down and sew the whole thing around leaving about a foot at the bottom open so I can turn it right-side out.

After I have turned the sheets right side out (comforter is inside now) I sew up the open hole at the bottom and then make small stitches in various places on the comforter to tack them all together. You could even get creative and use buttons or yarn or ribbon for this.

Thats it! Its easy to wash, holds up, and is really comfortable. Plus you can do it really simple or dress it up however you want.

Good luck!

Glitter,

It SEEMED like 40 feet when I was working on it, but it was actually ONLY 23 feet. Nice to hear from you, and thanks for the site.

Tejasgrower,

That looks like a very good idea for some bedrooms, but I want a more formal look for this particular bedroom. Thanks.

Cove

No problem! Just keep in mind that it all depends on the type of sheets you use and embelishes you decide on. It can be simple with cotton sheets or elegant with satin sheets, etc.

Good luck!

This idea is looking better all the time. Now to find the sheets. I'm going to look on-line at first to see what is out there.

Thanks again.

Are you looking to make a bedspread or a duvet cover?
For a duvet cover, you can use nice sheets,as suggested. All you need is an inexpensive comforter to put inside it.

You can also made a bedspread that is just a single thickness. The instruction link that was given to you seems to be a good one.
I made a bedspread some years ago. I used a nice cotton damask drapery fabric that I first washed.
I joined the three widths together with french seams so that the seam was finished on both the top side and the bottom side. If you dont' know how to do this, you can find this info through many sewing sites. It is really easy. Of course, if you have a serger, you can just serge the seams. One advantage of the french seam is that, not only does it give a clean finish each side, it is a pretty strong seam because it relies on more than one row of stitching.
You are probably going to have to join three widths together to get the width wide enough for your bed. There are a few very wide fabrics out there, but the likelhood of your finding the right one to make a bedspread is highly improbable.

The one that I made is still going strong even after I have tired of the color scheme. It has gotten softer and softer with each washing. It is one of those things that, if Martha Stewart came to my yard sale and found it, she would buy it and we would see it in one of her magazines as a shabby chic look. It is a pretty garden green with a blue floral trim. It is still nice and very pretty. I just have a different thing going on now and don't use it much in the room that it was intended for.
On the other hand, I went to Marshalls and bought a really nice matalise spread for a small price. It is nice and very machine washable. It is really pretty, too. It is often cheaper to buy than to make. Of course, you may have to sew to get just what you want. There is a lot of variation in quality out there. There is some real junk, too.
Unfortunately, some poor woman in China was paid a pittance to make it! I am sure that it was made on a machine, but someone had to run the machines. For what I paid for it, I know that the person at that end of the line could not have been paid very much.

Well, I think I have found the fabric that I want. It is a smaller, similar pattern to the upholsterd rocker I just bought. This is working backwards, I know, but seems I function basskackwards often!!!! I think I am going to make a non-quilted throw that has side panels, maybe piped, and a skirt that I hope to attach with velcro.

I have a difficult window situation in that room that I need design advice on. There are two windows, both on the same wall. One is a large double hung with a sunburst on top. This window butts right up against the wall. The other is a small casement window. It works well from the exterior view (architects main concern, I guess), but hard on window treatments. I would like to have draw drapes, and guess they would have to draw from the center. AND I have to think of a way to make the second window's curtain look the same size as the bottom half of the larger window. I'll send pictures to anyone willing to take a look and help come up with a design. I may have to settle for valances and Roman Shades, I think.

Did you use any type of quilting stitch to attach the top to the batting and lining?