1. What layers do you have? Seems the minimum is a flat sheet (frequently washed), a wool blanket (infrequently washed) and a decorative top blanket/quilt (infrequently washed). (And where do you keep them when not in use?)
Summer:
I do fitted sheet (basic cotton), then flat sheet(basic cotton), then a quilt
Winter:
I do fitted sheet (flannel), then flat sheet (flannel), then a bamboo woven blanket, then a thin down comforter, then the quilt. If it's very cold, I'll add an electric blanket just above the flat sheet. (We don't use heat generally, but there are always a couple weeks it's between 10-20F here.
When not in use, I store them in my closet. There's a shelf at the top I pack them on. There are cool big bags you can suck the air out of to make them store small, but I've never had them. Fantasize about them though haha.
2. How often do you wash the various layers? We currently never wash our actual duvet and wash the duvet cover when it seems gross. (every two months?)
I wash everything that touches my skin weekly (fitted, flat, and pillow cases). I wash the quilt twice a year generally. The other blankets tend not to get direct contact, so it's just if they seem musty.
3. How easy is it to make the bed, especially if you have short arms? I wouldn't go all hospital corners crazy, but blankets seem like more layers to rearrange.
I find it easy to make the bed, but I've made it every day of my whole life since I was 6 or 7. And I do hospital corners ;)
4. Is it actually easier to vary/regulate the temperature?
I find it easier. When I've stayed with people in the past who have a duvet (and my very brief attempt to do my own duvet system...) it was all or nothing. Too hot or too cold. Ugh.
5. Are you a thrasher? If so, how does that work with more layers to rotate, push away and tangle up?
I am not a trasher, but my ex was a thrasher. I will admit, it was MUCH harder to make the bed and straighten the sheets. I tried to do duvets for us, but that failed miserably for both of us. What ended up working was to have him sleep on top of all sheets, and have his own thin blanket.
6. Where did you get your blankets? I'm looking at military surplus at the moment as it's not something most department stores seem to stock.
I tend to buy at TJ Maxx, but you may not have those in the UK. Overstock.com has a great selection, and every january they do a "whites sale" for their linens. Great time to buy. Ikea also carries a variety of the sheets, although not so much the quilts- they carry duvets from what I've seen. My quilts all have been given by family members. Well taken care of, they last forever. If you have a local quilter, it could be worth putting that money into the local economy.
7. Why do you have blankets instead of a duvet? Is it a hangover from childhood? Is it a choice you made in adulthood?
Well, I did grow up with this system, so that's undoubtedly playing a role. But as mentioned, I tried duvets, and that just did not work for me. It also felt far too unclean- they're difficult to wash as often, and I hate the smell and greasy feel linens quickly get. Also, sheets are easy to hang out to dry, so you get that nice sun dried feel and smell.