I cut 6" squares of 2 colors, sew them together, checkerboard style, 7 across and 9 down, then add a 3" (cut) border. This makes a very nice todler quilt about 44" x 55" and will fit on a 45" backing fabric. I quilt them on my longarm with a very simple, open pattern, then do the binding completely by machine. Very fast and sturdy.

We do give away a lot of quilts to ladies here in Poland and in the area (I've posted before with pics). We have a lady and her mom (both retired--one is in her 60's and her mom is in her 80's) who make us baby quilts. I give them out each Christmas to poor ladies in the area along with a bag of diapers and other baby stuff.

And the ladies absolutely LOVE them. They are so pretty and unlike anything we have here.

So, for everyone else... I make twin size or bigger. I usually make twin size, but occasionally I try to make some queen sizes for a bigger bed--for two people. When using a panel, I usually just add borders around the edges of it (for example, Spiderman which start out 36x45) till it gets to be twin sized so that the children/young people can use them on their beds without their toes sticking out.

Here's the post from before for anyone who wants to see some of the ladies. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-84453-1.htm

Many of them have a very hard life, and we are glad to help them out. We just tie the quilts, though my goal this year is to learn to FMQ. However, my kids and I can tie a quilt in half an hour (of course, I've already put the thread through at that point, after layering it...)

Ann, that makes a simple and nice looking quilt! Very pretty.

Annie

45 x 60, since I lose an inch on the selvage, I can add an inch or two for border and/or binding.

Whatever size it comes out. Ususally lap or throw size.

I make 44X60 approximate size. Our guild has the kits made up and we just sew the tops, layer and quilt. The are 5 blocks across and 7 down. Easy to do. We also do Baby quilts that are 36x36. Also, precut. We also do Quilts of Valor but those vary in size and are usually a larger size. Making anything for charity makes me feel good. It is so appreciated and needed.

I like to make them around 40" wide so I don't have to piece the backing. Lazy, I know, but it just goes so much faster when I don't have to make the extra seems and press all that much more.

Usually 42/45 x 50/60 depending on the pattern. I don't hand sew a binding on these quilts. I just stitch the 3 layers together, leave an opening and turn and top stitch all around.

Downey quilts are usually crib size quilts. Nice to do something simple once in a while.

I make nothing but charity quilts. The juvenille quilts I make are usually 42x48. The hospice quilts need to accomodate those in wheelchairs so I make those 42x60 or 70. I seldom make any wider so I don't have to piece the back as I need to get as many done as possible as there is a never ending need for the quilts.

Crib and small lap sized, depending on the fabrics as well as what I have on hand. I love doing them and giving them to someone who will really cherish them.

I make quilts for injured UK servicemen! They are 60"x72". The last 5 were made from 6" squares cut from mens' shirts! It was fun finding five different patterns!

In Ontario I do the quilts for cancer patients -must be 54 x 70 inches & must be flannel on back.
In Florida I do quilts for local children -lady in group insists on specific sizes. I think it's 48x60 in.
I do others up to twin size if there is a need that I know about. These are labors of love to me.

I make 6 - 8 quilts each year for foster kids. They are just about always twin size so they can use them for their beds.

LindaKayCat

Our church makes them 60" x 80"
for Lutheran World Relief. We
meet every Thursday and a couple
of us make the tops and the others
back, tie, and bind them. I've made
a lot of them. We use 9" x 12" one
piece of fabric blocks. 7 x 7.
Hugs, Sharon

Mostly lap quilts in the 48 by 60 or 72, but some 40x40 wheelchair lap quilts.

Our guild has a significant community outreach program. We donated 900 quilts last year of all sizes to over 20 different local shelters, Red Cross, Veterans and Nursing Homes and neonatal intensive care units. I joined mid year and contributed 8 myself.

36 X 45 - 45 X 60 and twin size.

36 X 45, 42 X 56 & 50 X 70

36 X 45, 42 X 56 & 50 X 70

currently sending 3 a month to Afghanistan around 60 x 70 plus or minus 2 or 3 inchs.

Project linus I try to keep them so I do not have to piece the back.

It depends upon who the recipient will be. For citizensam.org (for critically wounded troops), they are as specified, 48"x78", wide enough for a gurney or stretcher. Make them approx. 40"x40" for lap robes for rest homes, about 45"x60" for kids quilts, smaller for babies.

ditto

I generally go with the fabric, since mine aren't actually quilts. 45 x 60 or 45 x 72 depending on kids or adults.

Usually 40x60 and they are generally made up out of the off-cuts of the quilts that I've made. They look bright and scrappy.I made one specifically with all Australian wildflowers in memory of my mum and gave it to the palliative care hospital that nursed her. Other than that, they are always quick and scrappy.

I make linus quilts, mainly 20inch(prem baby),or 36inch.

I do most baby quilt size so far. Sue

Yes usualy lap or cot quilts for the childrens hospice or the womens rescue centre.

Me too.

I'm going to be making 45x45 (give or take a bit for the selvage). I have a friend that is going on a mission trip to South Dakota and will be taking them to the Indian Reservation.

Figured that would be a good size for the babies and I also don't have to worry about piecing the backing. Still haven't totally decided what to use warm and white/natural or flannel. Most of these will be going to places where it gets below zero in the winter time.

Also, just wanted to say who proud I am of everyone that does this generous thing for others. What a blessing!!! Keep up the good work.

made about 60 that were 60 x 75 and a mess of crib sized quilts (45 x 60)

On children's quilts - is it ok to do machine embroidery designs.

Why not. That sure would be an added treat.

The only no-no I can think of on children's quilts is buttons and things the youngest ones would pull off and stick in their mouths.

We make quilts for the homeless, 7 ft. x 7 ft, so they can roll up in them at night. It's called "Ugly Quilts".

36" square for the neonatal unit at local hospital; 44 x 60 for most other charity needs. I also make a few for 'men' that are larger, 48 x 72. Those usually go to someone in the church who is ill or going through difficulties.
Really, just about any size is going to be needed and loved. My church group makes them for 'Camp Reach For The Stars,' for kids with cancer. My guild's philanthropic group makes and donates about 650 a year to over 15 recipient groups, we've never had a complaint about size yet!

Almost all the quilts I make are donated, and the largest benefit of this is to me, it is improving my skills! Also, I don't have to worry much if a quilt doesn't come out as I hoped; even as I learn something from it, that quilt will be appreciated anyway!

I usually make them about 45" square. Have gone a little larger, but not much. Since I don't have a long arm machine, I have to quilt them on my home machine, and I am not comfortable cramming anything larger under the machine.

Mine vary like many of you quilters, but I have a favorite.

Quilt in a day? You bet! I'm making bus quilts now for a boy's choir who travels some distances to jigs, and often has to be there early to practice (with an orchestra or other groups) and needs "down" time to rest up for the evening performance. I use the same system for "charity" quilts because they are so quick (not counting piecing to get the right size across-pieces, if necessary).

#1 - have double-sided sticky batting on hand aprox 42-44" wide and cut it to be 55-60" long;

#2 - dry-iron and attach fabric, pieced or whole (according to what you have on hand)-- this will be the backing;

#3 cut fabric 6 to 12" wide across a piece of fabric, selvage to selvage (you end up with the same size as the width of the batting);

#3 - sew the first piece at the top edge, dry-iron it down;

#4 - put the next piece on top of the first, right sides together and sew the second piece to the first, and dry-iron it down;

#5 - continue step #4 until you reach the bottom of the batting;

#6 - If the width of the piece is more than 4" (6" for sure) then you will want to do a few quilting stitches from top to bottom;

#7 - put a narrow boarder on, machine sewing with a semi-wide design stitch so it catches all edges in without stressing out;

# HINTS - You may be happier if you at least estimate how wide you want each piece to be so the last piece is about the same as the others;

But realize that different width of cross-wise pieces will also add interest (and use up some pieces you may have in your stash at the same time).

Now I am going to go on to the picture place and see if I can send a picture of one of my quilts so you can get an image idea of what on earth I'm talking about (for those of you who are "challenged" like me).

/Users/robinhudson/Desktop/holmi's quilts ALL/'11-PBA bus #4.jpg

Hope this works!

Going to try again.... HAVE TO LEARN HOW! Oh, I need to post a new file according to our gorilla friend. geeeze I'm confused. I'll try to put all that stuff into a new file. Under Tutorial, maybe. It's not worth it to anyone to try to follow my confusions. So sorry......