Getting the Perfect fit for your Quilt
by Marjorie
Jo Mancuso
The following
steps will assist you in determining the dimensions you need your quilt
to be to have it fit your bed the way you want it to. There are many
different ways to place a quilt on a bed, and depending on how you "make"
your bed, the dimensions of the quilt should vary. Two people make this
a much easier task.
Step 1:
Make your bed
as you would with all the linens and blankets that you are planning
to use under the quilt. Remove any comforters or bed spreads that will
not be under the quilt. The number and sizes of blankets will effect
the dimensions of the quilt. If you will vary the number of blankets
seasonal, I recommend taking your measurements with the maximum number
of blankets.
Step
2: If
you intend on having the quilt cover your pillows, place the number
of pillows, along the top of bed as you would prior to placing the quilt
on your bed. If the quilt will not be covering pillows remove them from
the bed.
Step
3: Starting
at the lowest point that you want your quilt to hang down on the side
of your bed, measure up over the side, run the tape measure parallel
across top of bed and down the other side of bed, to the lowest point
you want the quilt to hang on opposite side. (See figure on left.) This
would be the WIDTH measurement for the quilt. Unless ...
If you plan on
having pillows covered by the quilt, you should measure the width up
at head of bed covering the pillows as you go across the top of bed.
(See figure on right.) Covering pillows adds to the dimensions of the
quilt, but the extra width might not be acceptable on the lower parts
of the bed, perhaps causing the quilt to hang too low. Therefore a compromise
might need to be reached between covering pillows and the desired drop
over the side of the bed. After taking the width measurement over the
tops of pillows, check the width measurement over the middle of bed,
to make sure the width would be acceptable for the entire of the bed.
Step
4: There are
two basic ways for a quilt to be placed over the end of bed, tucked
into the end of bed, or simply hung over the end of bed. If you are
not planning on tucking the quilt in at end of bed, then starting at
the lowest point that you want your quilt to hang down on the end of
your bed, measure up over the end, run the tape measure parallel across
length of bed and down towards the top of bed. (See figure on the left.)
If you are planning on tucking the quilt in, then I recommend tucking
the measure tape just as you would the quilt itself, and run the tape
measure up over end of bed, running the tape measure parallel across
length of bed and down towards the top of bed. (See figure on the right.)
Step 5: There
are four basic ways for a quilt to be placed over top of bed, covering
pillows without tuck, covering pillows with tuck, or simply laid flat
to top, or laid flat to top of bed and turned down. When taking this
measurement be sure the tape doesn't shift from end of bed. Have the
tape measure follow the same path that the quilt would. This would be
the LENGTH measurement for the quilt.
Covering pillows without a tuck.
(See figure on left.)
Covering pillows with a tuck. (See figure on right.)
Flat to top of bed. (See figure on left.)
Flat to top of
bed with fold down. (See
figure on right.)
When selecting
or designing quilts for your bed, take into consideration how you will
be placing your quilt on the bed. How will the borders look? Getting
the right design and fit for your quilt will make your quilt that much
more attractive and enjoyable! I hope this helps.
©Copyright
2002, Marjorie Jo Mancuso
Unauthorized Use is Prohibited
February 20, 2002
