When I make a quilt - twin size for example...i decide on the finished width based on mattress size and how much hangover on the side..

BUT, when i quilt the fabric, it sucks up the top, "shrinking it", making it smaller than before i started quilting.

I hope that makes sense!!

I keep making the quilt top bigger thinking I've got enough allowance, but still keep missing the mark :oops:

SOOOOO.....my question is how much do you guys allowing for that "shrinkage"

Good question. Will also be waiting for the answers.

I just read this answer yesterday. Can't remember if it was the QB newsletter or a post, but I think it said to allow an extra 2" all around for quilting shrinkage after quilting

I try to leave 2 inches...

I would leave about 5%. So a throw that I want to finish about 60" square, I would want to finish (before quilting) about 63" or 64".

To do the math for any size quilt you're making, take your finished size after quilting and washing and multiple by .95. That will give you the finished size you should aim for when finished piecing.

I agree with the "couple of inches" post. The amount of quilt sandwich that is taken up by the quilting usually depends on how heavily the quilting is.
For the quilts I make for myself, I just make my borders a little bigger and trim them down after the quilting is done.

How much to add depends on the size of the quilt. I would add more than 2" for a king quilt :wink: The larger the quilt, the more it will shrink up.
It also depends on whether you preshrink your fabric, the type of batting you are using and how closely you are quilting :D:D:D

I'm so glad this was asked!! My first quilt top was a perfect queen before a medium quilting, and was a perfect full size after. What a shock it was for me. I'd probably add another 5 inches, at least, all around , to anymore big quilts I make.

I always pre-wash my fabric and then check the batting for what it says for shrinkage. Cotton batting can shrink 2-5%. So for a queen size that I want 90" wide all done, I start with 94-96 wide. Then after shrinkage I have the size I want.

Basic math - 90" finished x 5% (90x1.05 = 94.5)

I don't know how you would account for fabric shrinkage if you don't pre-wash, it all shrinks differently and isn't marked like batting is.

Thanks for all the replies..I am finishing my mom's quilt and it is now only 66 inches wide - and while I don't remember what it was before quilting,(That was 6 months ago!!) I am now concerned about it fitting the twin bed. She won't care. And I may add a ruffle on to the edges to add more to the width. Struggling to visualize that at 6:30 am and w/ minimal caffeine!

I do heavy quilting, so i'm thinking less shrinking??? AARRGGHH!! The majority of fabric used on this was from my grandmother (died in 1945), so my assumption is w/ the exception of what I added, her stuff won't shrink.

My next project is a king size quilt and i really don't want that to not fit for my friend's bed. I think i'm gonna need to add about another 6 inches around on her quilt top.

Thanks again - Stay tuned for picture of Mom's quilt - should be a couple weeks..