1. If a bed as a footboard, Decide how far you want the quilt to go down the end of the bed. You will be able to use these measurements to see what type of bed you have in the next … Three-quarter beds are even smaller at 48 inches wide by 75 inches long, though they use the same size comforter as the full. This is enough for the length of the quilt. For a pillow tuck, add 10" for your pillow addition. When planning a bed quilt there is much to consider. Stitch to side edges of quilt and press seams towards borders. Measure the width and length, but don't worry about how thick it is. Maybe you don't have access to the bed in person? Typically, a coverlet for a full-size bed is 86 inches wide by 101 inches long, but this includes 10 inches for the pillow tuck. Answers will vary widely depending upon the architecture of the bed. "Drop" is the part of the quilt that extends over the edge of the mattress. Rotate your quilt, so the next edge is closest to you. You may wish to cover the bed's side rail or to show it. Choices, choices. Finally, place the quilt top, face up, on top of the batting. This will provide a nice, secure tuck that won't come loose with kicking. Draw a long, thin rectangle along the top of your quilt sketch to signify the pillow addition, if any. For a quilt that just covers the pillows, measure from the foot of the bed to the head of the bed with pillows in place. You may ask a friend to help you hold the measuring tape if it does not lock into place.Step 3, Keep a pen and paper nearby to write down the measurements for future reference. You'll need to know the bed height. Maybe your block's dimensions results in a quilt 2" narrower than you wanted. Add this measurement to the quilt’s length. If the sheets are too big, they will slide, tangle and end up on the floor. Repeat, … Measure from edge to edge. It generally is a crib mattress on a small bed frame. Simple and As Is. Measure from edge to edge. Most beds will require seaming fabric to create a top that is wide enough for the bed. 1. This is the portion of the quilt that will be viewed on the top of the bed. WARNING: Bed sheets for quilt backings aren't recommended! Press the seam open to keep the backing flat. Base the quilt size on your bed size. Measure the width and length of the top surface of the bed. If your bed has a header and footer, then it’s best to have drapes only on the two sides – this way the quilt looks neat and making the bed is easy! Here you'd probably want to plan the same drop as your side drop for symmetry. Are you just not going to do all that work? If you want a pillow tuck, add an extra 6-10″ for a pillow tuck. Here's how to calculate your ideal bed quilt size. Write down the measurements. Instead you will need to make adjustments, adding blocks, sashing and/or borders to bring your quilt up to size. When joined this way, they make a piece 63in wide by 84in long (less a little for the seam). You'll need to buy a quilt or doona that covers your whole bed (single, double, queen or king). It is perfect for a hospital bed due to its size. Measure the length of the completed work and cut and sew the same fabric to the remaining sides, creating a frame of like fabric around the original square. Looking at your sketch, you realize that reduces your side drop by 1" on each side. I haven't decided if I'm going to use borders on my Facing East big bed quilt. Full or double mattresses measure 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. If you can’t measure, add 18″ to the … Don't toss this sketch until you're finished with this project. 50in) and cut two 2in-wide border strips to fit (join pieces if necessary). What this means for you, the Quiltmaker If the size you’ve chosen just barely covers the mattress, and covering the mattress is important to you, consider adding a block to each row or column for insurance. Measure the bed for which you are making the quilt. To plan your ideal quilt size, you need a measuring tape, the bed in question and a note pad. As soon as you try to choose a pattern for your bed quilt, you'll bump into the size question. (See images for visual details on how to measure.) Take a look at your quilt sketch. 2. If your bed has a footboard and your quilt will be tucked under the mattress, measure your mattress thickness and add 4-6" to that. If you want to cover just the top of the mattress, without ANY of the pieced part hanging over the side, the dimensions of a standard queen size mattress are 60" x 80". No need to draw it to scale! In our example, instead of 12 x 17 blocks, you'd use 13 x … Standard dimensions for a twin quilt provide for a 15-inch drop on both long sides and the bed end. Mine is 15" wide, to be tucked under my mattress. Measure the bed before beginning. Measure the top and create a top, allowing seam allowances for adding side drops on the bedspread. Knowing the right way to measure a bad can make all the difference when it comes to getting the perfect bedding set. This is called "drop." 3. This post is part of a series: the Big Bed Quilt-Along. Don't assume anything about quilt size. how to Prep Your Quilt Top for Longarm Quilting. If so, add 4-6″ for a mattress tuck. King — For your king-size bed, you'll want a coverlet that measures at least 108 inches / 274cm by 108 inches / 274cm for nice coverage all around. This is your drop measurement. You can measure in inches or centimeters. These indicate the standard size of the mattress. Do you want the quilt to tuck under the end of the mattress? Next, place the unrolled quilt batting on top of it. 10 squares required divided by 4 per strip = 2.5, or 2 strips plus about a half strip, each 9-7/8 inches wide. Step 3: Take your measurements, add them both together, and divide it by 36. Some experts suggest buying a quilt or doona that is one size up from your bed, especially if you and your partner tend to compete for the covers.. Quilts are encased using two main styles - channelled and boxed - sometimes called baffle boxed. Measure across the longest part of your quilt and across the shortest part. You may wish to overlap with a bed skirt or even to make the quilt hit the floor. A full length quilt drops to within 1/2" of the floor. 20 triangles divided by 2 (the number that can be cut from a 9-7/8 inch square) = 10 squares required. Do you have any size quandaries? Mine are 15" wide, for an 15" drop from mattress to below my bed's side rail. Draw a rectangle on your note pad and label the dimensions. For the Quilt2018 April Project, we are focusing on Traditional Bed Quilts. Add one long, thin rectangle at the bottom, to signify the foot drop. Although it's tempting to use a bed sheet because of its size, sheets don't make good quilt backs. For a 60 x 80 top, you'll need 300 squares - … If you are unable to measure the bed, use this chart as a helpful reference. How far do you want the quilt to fall at the foot of the bed? If the sheets are too small, they won't stay on the bed properly and you'll end up on a bare mattress. Step 4 Cut on your marks to make two matching strips. 40-inch width of fabric divided by 9-7/8 inches = 4.05, or 4 squares per strip. I make mine 65x65" for 3 reasons. Maybe that's just fine? The difference is your pillow addition. Rarely will you find a pattern in your precise planned quilt size. With an extra 5% for shrinkage, I should shoot for a quilt about 96" x 103". Allowing your measuring tape to lay as a quilt would. Step 1, Strip the bed of all bedding. As you did before, overlap your square ruler over the line you already cut with your long ruler. Size is a personal preference that deserves careful consideration. As you make decisions on these matters, refer back to your quilt sketch. My mattress is 61" x 79". If you place pillows on top of the quilt, you don't need to add to your current dimensions. Then line up the edge of your square ruler with the vertical edge of your quilt top. Press the quilt back with your iron and then lay it on your floor, right side down. On a bed without a footboard, the quilt literally cascades off the end of the bed, just as with the side. Mark a rectangle measuring 1 inch wider than your desired finished width by the width measurement you made. 2. Deciding on what size quilt to make is a first step in planning a new project. The edge of the top-of-the-bed is a good place to consider a frame, such as borders, color shifts, or changes in block direction for the drop. Measure from the top of the mattress to where you want the edge of the quilt to hit at the side of your bed. If the end of the quilt will be hidden, this is a good place to personalize the quilt with an embroidered message, signature, or date in the bottom border. Stop at the edge and do not add the drop to your first measurement; it will be added next. Divide the additional sides so that they are even on each side. I don't sew with prewashed fabrics. The difference is your pillow addition. Measure as far down the side of the bed as you want the quilt to drop from the top edge. To figure the width of the quilt, double the drop measurement and add it the top-of-the-bed width. The quilt drop is an important design space. Stop at the edge and do not add the drop to your first measurement; it will be added next. If you can, measure exactly how deep the pillows are. Note how the clever border design really frames the bed. At the head of your bed, how do you like to style your pillows? Measuring your bed: 1) Measure the thickness of your mattress – start at the corner of the top and measure to the corner of the bottom. For a quilt that just covers the pillows, measure from the foot of the bed to the head of the bed with pillows in place. While smaller than the queen size, these beds are adequate for a single child, teen, adult or two small adults. Measure across top edge, including borders, and cut two 2in-wide strips to fit. Here's something I didn't know - multiple readers report that shrinkage can transform a finished big bed quilt from perfect to disappointing. Measure a long side edge of your patchwork (it should be approx. Step 1: Measure the length and width of your quilt top. First, measure your mattress. They really are the easiest way to hit an ideal quilt size without going crazy. Will it drop to the floor? It's pretty tempting at the bottom where the quilt will be tucked under the mattress anyways. My initial size was 91 x 98". This is why it's best to make these plans on the actual bed in question. Measure that blanket to determine your quilt size. "Tuck" is the part of the quilt that folds under the pillows should you want your quilt to cover them. Even if you do, battings typically induce shrinkage anyways. Expect about 5% shrinkage. It will help you adjust your pattern and plan for backing. This is your initial ideal bed quilt size. Measure a Bed for Sheets and Bedding. When making a bed quilt, it’s important to consider the bed. These sizes are approximate and can vary 4" - 8". Allowing your measuring tape to lay as a quilt would. Step 4 Sew strips of like fabric around the work, creating a second frame of contrasting fabric. Measure from edge to edge. Stop at the edge and do not add the drop to your first measurement; it will be added next. A coverlet drops about 3" below mattress bottom to cover the top of the dust ruffle. Measure the width and length of the top surface of the bed. The top-of-the-bed measurement is an important part of your quilt design. Lastly, don't be shy about borders! The normal drop, or overhang for a bed quilt is 8.” Calculate the number of 4”squares needed for your project, then cut fabric into 4.5” squares, which allows ¼” seams. Use hashtag #BigBedQAL to share your progress! You should measure the bed it's going on, though, because it might be different. Queen — Queen-size quilts usually measure around 99 inches / 252cm by 108 inches / 274cm. Below you will find some tips, helping you to obtain an accurate measure of your bed skirt and fitted sheet. If your quilt is square, then the length and width measurements will be the same. Measure the foot quilt drop, how far down the end of the bed you want the quilt to drop from the top edge. Add two long, thin rectangles to your quilt sketch, which signify the side drops. Pin or baste the 3 pieces together. As the second step in how to make a patchwork quilt quickly, determine your quilt’s dimensions. The thread count is much higher in sheeting than in common quilting fabric. Either is fine as long as you stay consistent and use the same measurement throughout this process. There’s nothing nicer than a custom-made quilt that perfectly fits your bed. Take your initial ideal quilt size and add 5% to determine your planned quilt size. For a pillow tuck, add 10" for your pillow addition. 3. 2) Double this measurement and add to the side measurement {or the first number listed}- this will allow the quilt to drape the sides of the mattress. Having the right size bed sheet can make the difference between a night's sleep and a good night's sleep. When taking these measurements, remember to add length for the quilt to hang off the edges of the mattress. Add extra size at the head of the quilt if you cover pillows or prefer a pillow tuck (where the quilt is tucked under the pillow edge quite a bit to create a neater look). The top-of-the-bed measurement is an important part of your quilt design. When measuring, have the blankets, sheets, and pillows on the bed that will be used with the quilt. But, if you are making a quilt which will go on a bed you need to make decisions. You will want to measure it from the exact edge.Step 2, Grab a retractable measuring tape. Compare this measurement to the measurement of simple mattress length. Generally, you'll want to do the work to make your quilt slightly larger than planned, rather than smaller. If you use pillow shams or decorative pillows, then you are finished measuring your bed. Because it doesn't get in the way of tubing, there is … This quilt is large enough to drape over three sides of the bed, giving a “valance” effect. Add up the total dimensions in width and in length. Ask yourself (or your giftee) to locate a blanket that fits the bed in the same way as an ideal quilt. A twin bed may require only one length of fabric. Your sketch will help you envision how the choices you are making will effect your enjoyment of the quilt. Add these additional inches to the length of the quilt. However, knowing exactly how to measure correctly can be a challenge. SIZE & CASING. It covers the legs, but doesn't come up too high on the bed. We're sewing along February - April 2018, but you can use the resources anytime to help you make a large quilt. As others have mentioned, one thing to consider is whether you want it small enough to carry around (just barely big enough to cover the bed) or whether this is a quilt that can go with them to their big girl/boy bed. Cut a 90° angle on the second corner. I needed 4" to cover my pillows without a pillow tuck. If you will be adding a headboard or a footboard to your bed later, take this into consideration when measuring for a quilt. Step 2: Add an extra 8 inches to both the length and width of your quilt if it’s going to be machine quilted, that’s 4 inches on each side and 4 on the top and bottom. While we are all familiar with the terms twin, double, queen, king and California king. 2. If you have access to the bed you wish to cover, give it a quick measure so you don’t have to guess. Quilt sizes vary because bed sizes vary. How far do you want the quilt to fall on either side of the bed? Consider the direction of blocks, the design of the borders, and the finishing effect along the bottom. Use this quilt on a hospital bed for added warmth and cheer, or as a lap quilt when sitting in chairs or wheelchairs. There are only loose standards in this area, which can make things rather confusing. Wall quilts can, of course be any size you choose. Measure the width and length of the top surface of the bed. This is the amount of yardage you will need. 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