From Janet Wickell,
Your Guide to Quilting.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Knowing mattress sizes will help you design and make a quilt that fits the bed perfectly.

Mattress Sizes

Crib Mattress Size: 28" x 52"

Twin Mattress Size (Single): 39" x 75"

Full Mattress Size (Double): 54" x 75"

Long Twin Mattress Size: 36" x 80"

• Most beds in college dorms have long twin mattresses

Queen Mattress Size: 60" x 80"

King Mattress: 76" x 80"

California King Mattress Size: 72" x 84"

Quilt Design Options

Knowing standard mattress sizes will get you off to a good start when you design a quilt, but consider a few of the variables before you decide exactly how large the quilt should be. Ask yourself these questions?

• How much extra quilt width should extend past each side of the mattress to create a nice drop?

• Will the quilt look better if the primary focus of its design stops at mattress edges?

• Will the quilt be used with a dust ruffle? How much extra width and length do you need to make sure the quilt extends nicely past the top edge of the ruffle?

• Does the bed have a footboard that would interfere with the quilt? Would the quilt look better tucked in?

• How will the quilt look with pillows plumped underneath it? Would it be better to alter the border width or add another design element, then place pillows on top of the quilt near the bed's headboard? For pillows on top, you could make throw pillow covers to match or contrast with the quilt.

Mattress Depths

There are no standard mattress depths. Some mattresses are 9-10 inches deep, but many pillow top mattresses measure 15-16 inches in depth, or more. Box springs and other bed components can make the mattress even higher.

If you're making a quilt for yourself it's much easier to consider all the bed size "what ifs." If the quilt is a gift, you can't be sure which bed size it will ultimately be used on, so consider making a quilt that would fit a queen mattress, the most popular bed size.

Make a Quilt

• Quilt Basics
• Quilt Patterns and Projects
• Quilt Photo Galleries