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!

Quilting and Sewing Product Review

Rotary Cutter:
The best rotary cutter I have found is by Gingher (you can buy it at Joann's Fabric Store)- they have it for both right and left handed people!

Rotary Cutting Mats:
The brand that I have found to be the best is Olfa.  It is "self-healing", 1.5mm thick, has contrasting clearly marked yellow cutting lines with a green background.  I have tried other brands of cutting mats and this brand is the only one that has not snagged some of my silk fabrics from old cut lines with the rotary cutter.
Sizes available:
5.5"x7.5"
12"x18"
18"x24"
24"x36"

I have  one of each of the sizes, depending on what my current project is.  The 12"x18" is great for classes and the 24"x36" is great for large craft projects and garments.

Rotary Rulers:
I like the brand, Omnigrid the best for a ruler when using my rotary cutter because it is clear with bright yellow and black measuring lines to easily be seen on both light and dark fabrics.  The rulers allow for an extra 1/2" seam allowance and diagonal angle lines.
Sizes:
The four pack comes with squares of 4-1/2", 6-1/2", 9-1/2", 12-1/2". You can buy it at Joann's.
6-1/2"x24" is great for cutting strips and has both a left and right handed numbering system with diagonal lines.

To hold all of my rulers, I have a wooden ruler rack that works perfect to keep everything organize.

Quilt Batting:
The batting by Warm Company, specifically the Warm and Natural line works really well for quilts.  This batting is:
- 100% cotton, unbleached
- does not separate or bunch
- you can quilt up to 10" apart and it will still keep its shape
- the fabric clings to the batting, so once placed, it stays in place easier
- keeps its shape wash after wash
- does not give the "puffy" look to quilts
- comes in all different sizes including 34", 45", 90" and 124" by the yard and by the bolt
- soft and gentle for children and babies

Quilting Pins:
Curved safety pins- 1-1/2" length.  These are a good length for all thickness of a quilt.  The fork pins always seemed to poke me and the shorter curved safety pins were too hard to get all layers of a thicker quilt.