Handmade Quilt Sizes

What Size Handmade Quilts To Buy?

The kind of bed do you have, size and height of your mattress, if you have extra padding, whether you want quilts to cover pillows or you plan to use shams, and your personal preference for how far down the bed you want the quilt to fall all play into your best quilt size.

Measure Beds So You Know What Handmade Quilt Sizes You Need

Most beds, and therefore dust ruffles, are 14 inches from the ground, measuring from the top of the box spring and the bottom of the mattress to the floor. In photo, a quilt is covering the mattress. A patterned fabric is forming the 14-inch dust ruffle space between the bottom of the mattress and floor.

Some antique beds are higher so if in doubt, double check. Handmade quilt sizes can be standard but there are variations, depending on who and when they were made. Knowing the mattress and bed dimensions will help you find the right handmade quilt size regardless of who makes it.

Standard Bed Sizes

Let's start with basic bed sizes: (all sizes are given in inches)

• Baby crib 31 x 52

• Twin 39x75

• Three quarter or day bed 48 x 75

• Sofa bed regular 54 x 72

• Sofa bed queen 60 x 74

• Full or Double 54 x 75

• Full extra long 54 x 80

• Queen 60 x 80

• Queen extra long 60 x 84

• Eastern king 78 x 80

• California king 72 x 84

• Waterbed Single 48 x 84

• Waterbed Queen 60 x 84

• Waterbed King 72 x 84

• Western king 72 x 84

Measure Bed and Extra Padding to Get the Right Handmade Quilt Sizes

To accurately measure your bed size, you need to measure both bed sides and the space across the stop.

For the width: Measure one side of the mattress, including any additional liner or other padding you may have (not counting the cat.) Multiply by two.

Then measure across once. Add them up. That's the number you will compare against the first number in handmade quilt sizes.

For the length: Now measure from top to bottom. It doesn't hurt to measure over your pillows if you plan for handmade quilts to fit over them. If you prefer the "pile of pillows over the quilts" look with shams, them measure the mattress straight. That's the second number you'll compare against handmade quilts sizes.

To Dust Ruffle or Not To Dust Ruffle

Handmade quilts normally cover just the bed mattress, which means it will require a dust ruffle, also called a bed skirt, to complete the whole look.

Do you want the handmade quilts to end at the bottom of the mattress like the vintage quilt, in the photo on the right, or do you prefer handmade quilts to cover most of the sides of the bed?

Older handmade quilts like the one in the photograph on the left usually cover just the mattress. Older quilts are also usually non-traditional sizes so make

sure to measure before buying or it may not fit your bed. Often older quilts are nice for focal points and home decor accent but they won't work well as bed coverings because of their odd sizing.

If you are getting a custom quilt made, measure your bed with any extra padding you have so you get the quilt made in the size that gives you the final look you want. If in doubt, go for a larger size.

Standard Handmade Quilt Sizes

Here are basic standard handmade quilt sizes handmade quilts and what to order if you want full bed coverage down the bed sides so you don't need a bed skirt or ruffle.

The first number is width, the second is length:

• Baby Crib Quilts 36x48 (inches)

• Lap Quilts Throws Wall Hangings 50x60 inches

• Twin Bed Quilts 64x86 (inches) For full bed coverage, order next quilt size, which is full or double bed quilts 86x86.

• Full and Double Bed Quilts 86x86. For full bed coverage, order Queen Quilts 90x90 or King Quilts 100x90.

• Queen Quilts 90x90. For full bed coverage order King Quilts 100x90 or Oversized King Quilts 105x95.

• Standard King Quilts 100x90. For full bed coverage order Oversized King quilts 105x95.

• Luxury King or California King Quilts are 120x105. These are the largest standard quilt sizes on the market.

Now That's a Sham!

You found handmade quilts you like but not the right handmade quilt size so you're not getting the pillow coverage you need?

Quilt shams are pillow cases that match the quilt design. To quickly add texture to your home decor, look for quilt shams in solid colors complimentary to quilt colors.

Shams with a favorite quilt design (photo) will also work well as large floor pillows and quickly add nice detail to your home decor. 

Want a quick way to update an existing quilt?

Toss a complimentary lap quilt throw at the foot of the bed for a pop of color.

Change the throw with the seasons to easily update your room.

Remember lap quilt throws make wonderful wall hangings, another quick way to easily update a room.

That About Sizes It Up!

                                                       Charlotte