Simple Tips for Measuring to determine quilt size

Over the years that we have been quilting, we have found several tips that we believe will help you get the best possible results for your quilt. Here are some of those tips that we hope you find useful. Do you have a tip that others might find useful? Please feel free to share those tips with us and we will share them with others.

Follow these instructions to measure a bed and determine the finished size of your quilt. (See images for visual details on how to measure.) When measuring, have the blankets, sheets, and pillows on the bed that will be used with the quilt. "Drop" is the part of the quilt that extends over the edge of the mattress.

Width
Measure the mattress width and add twice the drop length. For a comforter-size finished project, measure from the top of the mattress to slightly past its lower edge to figure the drop length. For a coverlet, measure from the top of the mattress to slightly past the bottom of the bed rail. For a bedspread, measure from the top of the mattress to just above the floor.


Length
If you want the quilt to cover your pillows, measure the mattress length, then add one drop length plus 10" to 20" for the pillow tuck. The exact amount to add will depend on the size and fullness of your pillows and the depth of your tuck. If you do not want your quilt to go over your pillows, measure the mattress length and add one drop length.