i have made a quilt in one day, it had focus fabric squares, was sashed, stitched in the ditch and binding by machine. i was on a deadline for a donation quilt.

i cant do a full quilt in a day unless just a quick tie knot of two fabrics with batting sandwiched between. I once made a queen size Trip Around The World in two weeks. i cut, sewed and hand quilted it and worked full time besides.

Once in a while, i get my creative spurts and I can sew all day long. I have gotten a quilt done in a day, but I have a long arm and that helps alot. The last 4 day weekend I had, I got a queen size and a lap quilt done. Start to finish, both of them took 4 days. I usually don't work that quick...let me rephrase that...I usually don't get that much time to myself that I can sew that long.

You can make a quilt in a day with a lot of strip piecing methods. I only do this when i need a quilt in a hurry as s gift, usually. I do think its supposed to be the taking part not the race that counts!!!!

Here's my version of racing. I'm working on a block of the month project from my quilt guild. I plan my fabrics and cut out one block a day and the next day I sew it! I actually feel good about accomplishing that :) BTW, we received a booklet of all the patterns in the fall and it needs to be completed by April, so of course, I'm now "racing" to get it done while out of town in our motorhome.

Yes you can make a quilt in a day if you plan in advance.
1. make sure the rest of the family are camping in another state.
2. unplug the phones
3. stock the fridge with your favorite foods

4. pick a simple pattern one month before you start. I have done this with the around the world pattern!
5. take three weeks to pick your materials and wash them, change your mind and start over.
6. The morning of the big day, run to LQS to buy thread and more material.
7. Go back to LQS to buy needles. Just broke your last one!
8. have lunch
9 start sewing at 1 o'clock. finish the top at midnight!

peace

EDIT: By the way. Quilt in a day does not include the quilting

As another edit, After reading some of the posts, the question about why would you want to came up several times.

I have done this several times when people surprise me with things like an impromptu wedding, birthday party for a very elderly person going into a nursing home and for someone starting kemo. Sometimes you just do it cause you know you want to do something good.
peace

I s'pose it depends on how many hours you count in your days...I would think you'd come closer to completing one in a 24-hour "day" than a 10-12 hour one...:)

My question is: does this include adding the batting and backing and quilting? Or just the top?

I think really simple patterns yes, but it would take all day, but i think its possible to make a top in a day