Can I make a queen size quilt?
The short answer is, Yes.
The long answer is - It is a just bit complicated. The average size for a queen quilt is 84" x 92". Because of pillow top mattresses some of us like them to be bigger. Each Fun & Done block is 7-1/2" x 7-1/2". For most of my quilt patterns it takes an even number of row and columns to have the motif show properly. If you make your quilt have a finished size of 90" x 105" that would be 12 blocks across and 14 blocks down for a total of 168 blocks. To figure the yardage just add the requirements for a lap size and a twin size together. If you want it larger - closer to a king make it 14 blocks across and 14 blocks down for 105" x 105". This would be 196 blocks. Add together the twin size yardage plus the yardage for two crib size quilts. That should do it.
Here are a few more things to think about. I know it is shocking to see how much fabric is needed. Keep in mind this is ALL of the fabric, front, backing and binding. Plus, NO long arm quilting needed. You will not have that expense. You may have trouble getting enough yardage for the backing. Try looking at wideback fabrics. To figure out what is needed in a wideback take the total number of yards for backing (usually Fabric A) and divide it by 2.5. This size quilt will get very heavy. Put your sewing machine on the end of a long table to help carry the weight. I like to make a few completed blocks then sew them together into rows. This way I get to see the progress on the quilt and (I hate to say it but I will) I don't get bored making the same block over and over. A twin size quilts has 120 blocks in it.
I sure hope this helps.
What is the Batting Buddy?
The Batting Buddy is a 2-piece Template Set used with all Fun and Done! Quilting Patterns.
What is Fun & Done! Quilting? Fun and Done! Quilting is a unique quilt-as-you-go technique. As you construct the quilt blocks you also quilting them. Fun & Done! Quilting has a unique method for sewing the blocks together that forms the sashing between the block and forms the binding.
What is great about Fun & Done! Quilting?
1. It can make use of all the scrap batting you get back from quilts that have been long-armed.
2. There is no need to send your quilts to be long-arm quilted.
3. There is no hand-sewing. When you sew that last seam the quilts is done. It doesn't get better then that!
Now, let's get if Fun & Done!
Batting Buddy Directions
Before you begin cutting the fabric, press all of it using Mary Ellen’s Best Press. There will be bias edges in most of the quilt patterns. This will help keep those edges from stretching. It is also easier to do this Fun & Done! Quilting technique with nice crisp fabric. I also like to cut everything on a 14” rotating cutting mat.
Before cutting the cotton batting, press it all with steam. There is quite a bit of pressing in each pattern. This will preshrink the batting so that it will keep its cut size.
- Take the backing fabric and fold it salvage to salvage then fold again so the fold is by the salvage. Place the fabric so the edge is on the left. Place it on the rotating mat. Place the Frame piece of the Batting Buddy along the edge, being sure that all of the fabric is past the left edge. Now cut along the right edge of the Frame with your rotary cutter from edge to edge. Without moving the Frame rotate the mat around and cut each of the remaining edges. You now have four Backing pieces. Fast!
- Take the preshrunk batting and fold it into no more than two layers. They get distorted if there are more. Now take the Square portion of the Batting Buddy. You will use this to cut out all of the batting. If you want to cut the batting into 7-1/2” strips first, go ahead. You can also use all those scraps of batting you get back from your long arm quilter. Use the rotating cutting mat.
- Take one piece of your backing fabric. Place in wrong side up in front of you. Place the Frame on top making sure all of the edges are even with the Frame. Take a piece of the cut batting. If you like, spritz a little KK2000 on the back of the batting to help keep it in place. Place this inside the Frame.
Now you are ready to start building your blocks.
Follow the pattern directions for constructing the blocks. I like to sew with my walking foot with the ¼” guide foot. Once you have all of your blocks built you can start sewing them together. I like to lay at least two or three rows out so that I know what the quilt will look like. This also helps to make sure each block is in the correct orientation to the other blocks. Put your Stitch-in-the-ditch foot onto your walking foot.
- Start with the top left corner of the quilt. Take the first two blocks. Place them backings together. Match up the corners and edges. If you placed the batting in the center with the Frame portion of the Batting Buddy it should be perfectly centered. Pin the edges. Line the guide on your walking foot up with the edge of the batting portion of the block. Now sew, keeping the stitches along the edge but not stitching on the block center. I like to backstitch 4-5 stitches at the beginning and the end of each seam.
- Press the seam open. Fold the edges along the seam under twice to form the sashing between the blocks. Again, be sure to back stitch at each end of the seam. Now sew the next block in the row onto the two you just sewed. After each block added to the row sew down the sashing. This way you will only have one square in the throat of your machine at a time.
- When you have all of the rows done you can start sewing them together. Do this in the same manner as you did when sewing the blocks together.
- When you have all the blocks together you can then sew the binding. It is simple. Fold the edge over twice and sew down just like you did the sashing.
- Ta-da! Your quilt is done. No hand sewing. No long arm quilter. I do advise when first learning this
technique that you don’t make a quilt larger than a lap.
Another Tip -
If you want to experiment with batting, try Fusible Fleece. I have started using it and really like the results. I find that it keeps me from getting puckers in the backing fabric during block construction. I also find that I get nearly zero slipping of the batting when constructing the blocks. Give it a try to see what you think. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Now that is Fun & Done!