To choose the right quilt size, you should consider your bed size. To make a quilt that fits a specific bed, you must know what measurements to take and then adjust it to your pattern for the quilt to work as you desire. 

Choose a quilt size based on the size of your bed.

The size of the quilt varies according to the size of the bed. The terms twin, double, queen, king, and California king are familiar. These lines indicate the size of the mattress. The first step toward making a quilt is choosing whether to use it as a coverlet, bedspread or comforter. A coverlet is used alongside the dust ruffle and does not hang down entirely to the ground. Bedspreads hang to the ground and often have extra fabric to stuff under pillows. The comforter hangs over the bed's edges a little bit. 

This quilt size chart gives you a good starting point and a guide to verify your measurements. There are several mattress sizes that you can find on the mattress size chart. You should still measure your mattress' top to be sure.

Chart for Quilt Sizes

Beds	Quilt Sizes
Crib	27" x 52"
Twin	39" x 75"
Full	54" x 75"
Queen	60" x 80"
King	76" x 80"
California King	72" x 84"

 

Consider the thickness

Mattress thickness affects quilt sizes. So next, you need to measure the mattress thickness.

Using this method, you can find how much extra length and width will extend beyond the edges of the bed.

Think about Drop

The next step is to decide how far you want the quilt to hang down the edges of the bed. The bed may be low to the ground or require a step, depending on its design.

Make a Mattress Depth Calculation

The mattress top size is the first thing to consider. For example, consider a queen bed with a mattress 16" deep.

Mattress Calculation + Mattress Depth

60" + 16" + 16" = 92"

80" + 16" = 96"

Make a drop length calculation

With a 92" x 96" size, the quilt can cover the mattress and hang it down the edges. You will need to add this size number to the quilt size based on the type of quilt you want. In our example, drape the quilt over a bed with dust ruffles, preventing the quilt from falling to the ground.

Calculate from top to bottom

Imagine that we need to use the quilt as a bedspread on the bed. The mattress bottom must be measured to the ground and added that size to the initial measurements. We are going to use 29" for our new example:

Calculate + from top to bottom

60" + 16" + 16" = 92" + 29" + 29" = 150"

80" + 16" = 96" + 29" = 125"

Pillow tuck calculation

Considering the quilt will serve as a bedspread, it will need to be long enough to tuck under the pillows and drape over them. In most cases, you need 12" for tucking, which means adding that to the length:

Calculate + Pillow Tuck

60" + 16" + 16" = 92" + 29" + 29" = 150"

80" + 16" = 96" + 29" = 125" + 12" = 137"

Quilt charts are a good place to start

It's good to start with standard quilt charts; however, you will have to consider several variables and adjust your arrangement accordingly for the quilt to fit perfectly like a glove.