In the USSR, duvet covers were sewn with a square hole in the middle for a number of reasons, each of which had its own practical justification.
This feature was determined by several factors that took into account economy, hygiene, practicality, aesthetics, low cost and functionality.
One of the main reasons was saving material. The Soviet Union could not afford to waste extra resources, and this design of the duvet cover allowed saving up to 20% of fabric.
This was important given the limited budget and the need to use all available materials rationally.
Practicality also played a big role. In Soviet institutions, it was important to control uniformity and ensure that there were standard blankets.
This prevented the possibility of substituting quality products for less valuable analogues.
The uniform duvet covers with square holes made it easy to track and control the bed linen.
The aesthetic side was not left without attention either. The duvet covers with diamond-shaped holes looked neat and uniform, which created a pleasant visual effect.
This uniformity gave a certain order and harmony to the environment.
Cost savings were another significant factor. There was no need to spend money on additional bedspreads, as duvet covers with a central hole did their job quite well.
This reduced the cost of bedding, which was important in times of economic constraint.
Finally, the functionality of this design was at its best. Tucking a blanket into a duvet cover with a central hole was much easier and faster.
There was no need to turn the duvet cover inside out, which saved time and effort, especially in large institutions where the process of changing linen was massive.
All these factors together made duvet covers with a square hole in the middle the optimal choice for the Soviet Union.
This design met all the requirements of the time: it was economical, hygienic, practical, beautiful, cheap and functional.
Today we may recall such details of everyday life with surprise, but in those days they had completely rational and justified reasons.