• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
  • Home
  • Tips + Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Tips + Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Tips + Tutorials
    • Shop
    • FAQ
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Free Printable Quilt Size Guide

    Last Modified: April 7, 2023 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 4 Comments

    Today’s post is from guest writer, Melanie Collette of Hello Melly Designs. Melanie is a talented fabric and quilt pattern designer – and therefore really experienced in making quilts. She has some helpful advice to share regarding determining what size quilt you need. She’s also designed an awesome free printable quilt size guide to have on hand. 

    Double Cross pattern by Amy Smart - made by Melanie Collette featuring Pure Delight Fabric

    But first, I just have to show off this amazing quilt Melanie just finished making using my Double Crossed quilt pattern combined with her Pure Delight fabric collection that is available in stores now.    I think they’re pretty much a match made in heaven. And now, more from Melanie!

    How to determine a quilt size - printable guide for standard bed quilt sizes

    Hi Everyone! I’m Melanie from Hello Melly Designs. Something I love about quilting is that the effort results in a very useful and loveable product! Before beginning a quilt project, one of the main things to consider is quilt size in regards to its purpose. What is the intended destination for the quilt? Is it going on a bed, or is it for throwing on the back of a couch? Is the quilt for actual use or display? Will it be donated, or gifted? All of the answers to these questions will help determine the size of quilt you will want to make.

    Broken Lattice Quilt pattern by Hello Melly Designs

    Pattern is “Broken Lattice“, a free throw size pattern by me

    Luckily, many quilt patterns have multiple sizes available, and all quilt patterns will tell you what the finished size will be if sewn as instructed. However, you have probably noticed in comparing quilt patterns that not all specific larger quilt sizes are equal! There are so many reasons why the inches vary, like block size, block repeat, etc. 

    The important thing to know is that they vary only within a certain window of standard quilt sizes. Personally, I prefer throw quilts that can adequately cover a 6′ man (aka my husband) on a couch and baby quilts that are large enough to donate to organizations (typically 40″ wide at the smallest). Other than those arbitrary sizes, I follow standard bed sizes.

    Daisy Lane baby quilt pattern by Hello Melly Sews

    Pattern is “Daisy Lane” by me in Baby size

    If the final destination of your quilt project is for a bed, the measurements you are aiming for need to be a bit more specific! If your goal is to finish with a quilt that perfectly fits your bed and frame to exact dimensions, the first thing you need to do is measure the mattress. Measure the length and width of the mattress.

    Next, how do you want the quilt to hang off the bed? I have one daughter who sleeps like she’s fighting a bear and no quilt has ever stayed through the night… until I made a twin size that had a far enough drop and tuck. “Drop” is how far the quilt falls off the top of the mattress, and “Tuck” is the amount of quilt that- you guessed it!- tucks underneath. Now all the thrashing at night can’t pull off the quilt.

    Gleeful Twin Size Quilt pattern by Hello Melly Designs

    My other twin quilts have a sufficient drop to cover the mattress and hang just over the top of the bed frame. No tuck necessary!

    Tick Tock twin bed quilt pattern - designed by Cluck Cluck Sew

    Pattern is “Tick Tock” by Allison Harris in twin size

    Taking these examples into consideration, once you have measured length and width, decide what your drop will be (typically 10+”, typically the height of the mattress plus however more you want it to fall) and, if you want, the tuck (another 8″-10″) as well. Mattress heights have such a wide range, the drop can be quite the variety throughout your house!

    If you are working from a quilt pattern and the size provided is a little too small for your specific measurements, there are a few things you can do to get to your desired size: add sashing, add borders, or add additional blocks.

    Pattern is “Mademoiselle” by me in a throw size

    As a pattern designer, I always reference standard quilt sizes in my planning. The standard sizes can vary depending on what source you are using, but they are always very similar. The standard sizes have enough drop to cover a standard sized mattress and have worked well for our family. Since I use a reference so often, I thought I’d share a fun printable version with you too!

    Adapting existing patterns or even single blocks (like from the Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge) to be a different desired size does take effort, but with a standard guide it is much easier to begin. I encourage you to try it out! I’ve created a printable for you with the standard quilt sizes.

    Free Printable Bed and Quilt Size Chart

    The printable gives the standard quilt size, as well as the standard mattress size.

    Quilt Size Printable by Hello Melly Designs 

    Hopefully it is as good of a reference for you as I’ve found it to be!

    Thanks, Melanie! You can also check out some of Melanie’s other projects here:

    Beach Bum Free Baby Quilt Pattern

    Butterfly Reading Pillow Tutorial   

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

    Related

    « New Online Quilt Class + RBD Quilt Block 10
    Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge #11 »

    Filed Under: guest post, Sewing for Your Home, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: quilt size guide

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Allison Reid

      April 09, 2023 at 2:31 am

      Thank you this is very helpful! Your quilts are beautiful!

      Reply
    2. Kathy MacCrea

      April 09, 2023 at 6:31 am

      Thanks you for this helpful information. There are many people who own California King mattresses and they are longer and narrower than standard King mattresses. I find so often that bedding manufacturers do not make anything for a bed in California King size except sheets. Thus those of us with CK mattresses are forced to either buy standard blankets, quilts and other bedding parts and turn them 90 degrees and “make it work”. When I started quilting I figured it would be easy to find sizing, instructions and patterns for my CK bed. That was not the case. Guess I have to go back to the measure the top of the mattress, add drop and tuck measurements if I want a quilt that will fit my CK bed.

      Reply
    3. Marianne

      April 10, 2023 at 1:55 pm

      What I like to do is I bought a white ‘quilt’ from the store and use that on my bed. Then I lay the Quilt of the Week (Haha!) from my quilts I’ve made right on top. Sometimes I square it up or lay it at an angle. It adds a changeable pop of color to my bedroom. I find it’s easier than adjusting quilt sizes when making a quilt, and it was a big hit when I sold my house two years ago!

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 11, 2023 at 11:42 am

        That is a great idea! I so something similar – a plain white or chambray duvet cover with quilts as an accent.

        Reply

    Leave a ReplyCancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My name is Amy Smart and I'm a quilter, pattern and fabric designer, wife & mom. Excited to have you here!

    more about me →

    THE PERFECT PLACE TO START

    I SEW WITH

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines

    MY FABRIC COLLECTIONS

    Fabric Collections by Amy Smart for Riley Blake Designs.

    FAVORITE FABRIC SHOPS

    COME SEW WITH ME CRAFTSY CLASS

    Pre-cuts Shortcuts Video Craftsy Class with Amy Smartma

    SEARCH

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Diary of a Quilter by Amy Smart - a Quilt blog
    • 25 Favorite Charm Square Quilts & Projects
    • What's happening: September 2023 Version
    • Last minute handmade gifts
    • How to Make a Manx Quilt Block

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    PRIVACY POLICY

    DISCLAIMER

    TERMS & CONDITIONS

    ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

    NEWSLETTER

    SIGN UP for weekly emails & updates!

    CONTACT

    FAQ

    This site uses affiliate links:

    I make a small commission on some purchases with no additional cost to the reader.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog