Quilt Sizing

When I first started quilting, I always wondered, what size quilt do I need to make for a (fill in the blank) size bed? Or lap quilt?

Well, after looking at many books and blogs, I have complied what each size should be around.

First off, I would like to list some basic quilt sizes:

• A nice baby size quilt is around 42"x52".  Between 36"x36" and 52"x52" is the range for a baby size quilt. The size can depend on whether the quilt will be use in a crib.
• For  square baby quilt, anywhere from 36"to 42" works well
• Toddler- 46"x70" for a quilt. A toddler bed most often uses a crib mattress, however, not always, so it is best to measure first.
• A crib quilt measures between 30"x46" and 36"x50". If you are making this sized quilt as a gift, see if you can get the measurement- each manufacturer has their own sizes and crib mattresses are different sizes too.
• Wheelchair lap quilt- 36"x36" to 38"x47"
• A nice size lap quilt is between 52"-68" wide and the length can be from abut 52"-78"- although a lap quilt can be any size. A quilt that a child will want to bring along could be as small as 36"x36". A lap quilt that is 42"x60" is great for cuddling up on the couch with.
• Twin- between 64"-72" wide and the length can be from about 86"-96".
• Full is typically between 70"-88" wide and 88"-100" in length
• Queen- between 88"-99" wide and the length usually measures 94"-108"
• King- between 94"-108" in width and 94"-108" in length

If you are making a quilt that will go on a bed, use the following guide

          U.S. Mattress    Comforter    Bedspread
Crib     27"x52"              36"x60"
Twin    39"x75"             65"x88"     81"x110"
Full      54"x75"             80"x88"     96"x110"
Queen  60"x80"             86"x93"     102"x115"
King     76"x80"             104"x93"   120"x115"

Comforter- (at other than crib size) includes a 13" drop on 3 sides and no pillow tuck
Bedspread- includes a 21" drop (a typical bed height) on 3 sides, and a 14" pillow tuck

For a custom size quilt for a specific bed, use the following guide:

• measure the mattress, length and width, and depth (most mattresses measure 8-12", but the newer deeper ones can measure up to 20")
• add to each measurement the amount of drop you would like down the side of the bed (to the floor, to the bottom of the top mattress? to the bottom of the box spring?)
• remember to add a pillow tuck (this may depend on the depth of the pillows and how much of a pillow tuck you want), if you want a portion of the quilt to tuck under the pillows, and then carry on over top of the pillows.

An easy way to add a drop (depending on the quilt pattern you are using), your borders could be the drop.  For example, if you want an 8" drop, add an 8" border to your quilt top.

Hope this helps.  Just remember- give the quilt some personality!