In the past few years, I have had several requests to make my patterns for quilts larger. Some have asked for wall hangings to become throws, or throws to become full, or full to become king. So, I thought it may be a good time to talk about quilt sizes and how to get to the size you want.
Quilt Sizes
If you look up quilt sizes on the internet, you will find as many answers as you find websites with those answers. Everyone defines it differently. To avoid those mental gymnastics and frustration, let’s go with two methods.
Based Upon Batting
The first is look at batting sizes and subtract 8″ from each side. (Those 10 inches allow for 5-inch excess on each side for longarm quilting). Using the dimensions from Hobbs Batting, approximate quilt sizes are shown below. The size is limited by the batting size.
| Batting | Quilt Size | |
| Crib | 45″ × 60″ | 35″ x 50″ |
| Throw | 60″ × 60″ | 50″ x 50″ |
| Twin | 72″ × 96″ | 62″ x 86″ |
| Full | 81″ × 96″ | 71″ x 86″ |
| Queen | 96″ × 108″ | 96″ x 98″ |
| King | 120″ × 120″ | 110″ x 110″ |
Based Upon Bed
Crib and throw sizes are relatively arbitrary. You basically want a quilt that will cover a small person or a large person, while napping or relaxing.
Top Size
The other sizes should be based upon your mattress. According to Sleep Advisor, there are nine sizes! The XL have 5″ more length for tall people, like my son. These sizes are just the TOP of the mattress.
- Small Single or Cot – 30″ x 75″
- Twin – 38″ x 75″
- Twin XL – 38″ x 80″
- Full – 54″ x 75″
- Full XL – 54″ x 80″
- Queen- 60″ x 80″
- Olympic Queen – 66″ x 80″
- King – 76″ x 80″
- California King – 72″ x 84″
Thickness
If these sizes don’t look familiar to you, that is a good thing. We make quilts to drape over the sides of the bed. Therefore, we need to add the depth of the mattress to our calculations. This is where we can really get into deep trouble. (I couldn’t resist the pun.) Mattress vary considerably. Amerisleep has published the following as depths.
- Low Profile – 2″ – 5″ (think crib mattress or sofa sleeper”
- Slim Mattress – 5″ – 8″ (think foam mattress)
- Standard Mattress – 8″ – 12″
- Deep Mattress – 12″ – 16″ (think pillow top)
- Extra Deep Mattress – 16″ +
Depending upon the thickness of the mattress, you may need to add anywhere between 4″ and 32″ to the sides and 2″ to 16″ to the bottom of the mattress to get the size you need. (Generally, you don’t add extra to the top, where your head goes.) That thought blew my mind as well.
Adding It All Up
If you are making this quilt for yourself, you can measure your own mattress to find the minimum size you need. That is the trick. Think Goldilocks. You don’t want one that won’t cover the top mattress fully. You don’t want one that drags on the floor. You need something in between.
Let’s assume you have a Queen mattress with a standard depth, which is the most popular size currently. The quilt dimensions should be:
Width = 60″ + (2 x 12″) = 84″
Length = 80″ + 12″ = 92″
Quilt Size 84″ x 92″
You will want to make a quilt that has at least these dimensions. It explains why may quilt shops have stated their most popular sizes are 92″ to 99″ square. It will cover most queen mattresses. Look for a quilt at least 100″ square for a king size mattress.
You found a pattern you really like, but it isn’t the right size? Stay tuned for Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Laureen