The size of bedding needed varies based on the depth of the mattress.  Many pillow-top mattresses are deeper than older mattresses.  The following chart will help you determine the size quilt to make.  You may also find this useful in determining how many increments to buy of our cheater quilt fabrics.

The sizes in the chart are generous.

Comforters are used with a dust ruffle (bedskirt) and shams.  The chart allows a 14" drop on the sides and bottoms but it does not include extra fabric for "tucking" pillows.

Bedspreads are designed to be used without a dust ruffle and may almost reach the floor.  The chart allows a 21" drop on the sides and bottom and allows 12" for the pillow tuck.



Pillow Sizes

Typical Pillow sizes are:

Standard:  20" x 26"
Queen:  20" x 30"
King:  20" x 36"
European Square:  26" x 26"
Typical square throw pillow:  14" x 14" to 18" x 18"
Typical Breakfast (rectangular) pillow:  12" x 16"
Typical Neckroll Pillow:  6" x 13"

Dust Ruffles/Bedskirts

1.  Measure the distance from the top of your box spring to the floor.  (Usually about 17").  Add about 1"-1 1/2" for seam/hem so you will typically need about 18" for each cut (a cut will be the full width of your fabric).  If you are using a printed pattern, you will need to account for the pattern repeat.

2.  Calculate the distance around the sides and foot of your bed (the ruffle usually does not go around the top since it is against the wall but you could add a ruffle across the head of the bed if you wish).

For the mattresses above, the measurement around the 2 sides and foot is as follows:
Twin:  151"
Long Twin:  156"
Double:  183"
Long Double:  188"
Queen:  200"
King:  232"
California King:  228"

3.  Determine what style of bedskirt you would like.  Straight bedskirts or skirts with limited pleats are better with heavier fabrics like jacquards.  Gathered or box pleats work well with lighter weight fabrics like percales and cottons.

For a straight bedskirt, take the total inches from step 2 and divide them by the width of your fabric (in inches).  This will give you the number of "cuts" that you need.  Take this number times the length (in inches) you determined in step 1.  Divide by 36 and you have your yardage for the visible portion of the skirt.

For a bedskirt with a single pleat on the sides or at the corners, determine the depth of each pleat (in inches) and the number of pleats and multiple them.  Then add that total to the number of inches from step 2 and divide them by the width of your fabric (in inches).  This will give you the number of "cuts" that you need.  Take this number times the length (in inches) you determined in step 1.  Divide by 36 and you have your yardage for the visible portion of the skirt.

For a gathered bedskirt, multiply the total inches from step 2 by  2 or 2 1/2 (depends on the thickness of the fabric and how gathered you'd like the skirt to be).  Then take the total inches and divide them by the width of your fabric (in inches).  This will give you the number of "cuts" that you need.  Take this number times the length (in inches) you determined in step 1.  Divide by 36 and you have your yardage for the visible portion of the skirt.

For a box pleated bedskirt, multiply the total inches from the size of your bed by 3.  Then take the total inches and divide them by the width of your fabric (in inches).  This will give you the number of "cuts" that you need.  Take this number times the length (in inches) you determined in step 1.  Divide by 36 and you have your yardage for the visible portion of the skirt.

4.  You will also need a "top" for the skirt to go between the mattress and the box spring.  You may have a flat sheet that will work for this or our percales are great for this purpose.  You will need a piece of fabric that is at about the same size as your mattress.

Example:

I have a Queen Size bed and I want to make a ruffled bedskirt.  My fabric is 102" wide and has a 10" repeat.  The top of my box spring is 17" off the floor.

Step 1:  I will need a total of 18" for each piece BUT if I want to match my fabrics to the pattern repeat, I need to allow 20" for each piece.

Step 2:  200"

Step 3:  200" x 2 1/2= 500".  500 divided by 102" =4.9.  So I will need 5 pieces that are each 20" long.  5 x 20=100".  100" divided by 36=  2.77 yards.  I could buy either 2 7/8 yards or 3 yards.

Step 4:  I also need a piece of fabric that is 60" x 80" for the "top" of my bedskirt.  I'd prefer to just have a solid piece rather than the same print so I will buy this separately.

So in all, I would need 2 7/8 yards of my print fabric for the sides of the bedskirt PLUS a solid piece of fabric that is 60" x 80".