Baby Quilt Size
 

I want to make a quilt for my niece's new baby and would like to know what size you prefer for making baby quilts? I'm sure the quilts are too big when the baby is born, but I'd like to have the quilt usable as the baby grows. What size do you recommend?

I make them around 40" wide, so I can use a length of fabric for the backing. The length depends on the pattern or block I'm using. Anywhere from 40 to 60 inches.

That is the size I like too.

I usually make a 50 x 60 (or something close). I don't use baby fabric or patterns because I want them to love it as they get older and not feel like it too babyish. That's why I make a bigger size quilt too.

If you want to use the width of fabric for backing then keep the quilt around 40". I use that size for charity quilts. One I am working on right now starts with a panel and by the time I add borders it will tell me what size it wants to be. I prefer rectangular quilts to square and don't really keep a specific size in mind. The quilt has to be the right proportion.

I usually do something like 36 inches by no more than 40 inches...like others have said to possibly not have to piece the backing.

To me there's a happy medium between too small to use for long and too large to use.

I'm the odd-person out, I guess. I like 65x65". I used to make them smaller, but found that unless I put a hanging rod, parents really weren't using them much when the little one was first born. The larger size gives more room for tummy time & is large enough to serve as a nice lap quilt all the way through to college. But, then again, I make heirloom quality quilts that I expect to last for at least 20 years.

I've always made one yarder quick-turn baby blankets for folks expecting. I pick fabric that I know mom and dad would enjoy. Everyone seems to love them and use them for tummy time, strollers, car seats, changing pads, etc as they get to be toddlers I've seen them being dragged around for playing. If I'm good friends with them, around age 4 they're usually asking for something a bit larger and I'll then consult with the little one on colors and themes. Love making blankets for little ones.

I belong to a Quilt Ministry and we make baby quilts to donate to our local hospital's at-risk baby nursery. We make them 40"X40" so that we can use the 90" batting and just cut it 45" in length and then cut it in half. There is less scraps this way.

I usually do around 45x54 so it can be used on a bed quilt eventually. for a floor quilt I aim for 40x40.