I have learned to hate square quilts
 

I really, really hate square quilts. They don't fit the bed not matter what size I make them. Adding border to widen or lengthen just ruins the look of some patterns. I made the Tula Pink, Kiss Kiss pattern in a queen size. I was so in love with the pattern. Queen size....NOT. The material was very expensive and the darn thing is way to short and not wide enough.

I dislike square quilts also. For a baby quilt, I guess it's ok. Usually I check out the pattern first, because my bed isn't square either, and probably nobody else's is either.

Well, I learned early on in quilting (started 4 years ago after retiring from teaching) that I look at the pattern and then "fix" it so it fits the bed I want it to fit. I don't think that I have made any quilt the way that it was designed. I add additional sashings on the bottom or on the sides to make it fit the way that I need it for the bed that "needs" it. Sometimes there is only one size listed and I figure out how to add an extra row of blocks across the quilt or add to the top or bottom. And like those who have posted, I don't like square quilts either.

I don't like square quilts either but they do fit a King sized mattress fairly well as it is 78"x 80" and that's almost square. Other than King, I don't make square quilts and always add extra pieced borders to lengthen them out.

I made that pattern with three across and four down Kiss blocks. It made the quilt rectangle.

Square quilts do create a fit problem. Unless I am making them for a little person, I change the pattern up to make it be the size I want. I am with QuiltingHaven. I haven't made a quilt that was exactly like it was designed since I started quilting. Of course, that can cause problems because several are waiting to find out what I am going to do next. I buy fabrics when they are on sale and have a rather large stash so I shop often for ideas in my sewing room.

Happy quilting to all of you!

I agree! Patterns need to be LONG enough to actually FIT a bed. Maybe we should all start emailing the pattern designers and companies to let them know. I only make quilts for beds. (dare I say blankets - that's their original intent) as I think hanging them on a wall is silly. Take a painting class instead.LOL My quilts may look pretty, but I fully intend for them to be used to keep warm in cold weather. I usually modify the pattern if I can and add extra blocks to make it the size I want. I don't buy a lot of patterns though. I find a block I like and go from there. I DO have the little Design Wizard (poor cousin of the EQ&) that helps a bunch. It only cost me $30 and has paid for itself a dozen times over. It' helps me manipulate what few patterns I do buy.

Sorry you are disappointed at your results. A square pattern isn't the best choice for a bed quilt though. That pattern looks like it's 82 square for the "medium" size. A queen mattress is 60x80, so it won't have enough drop to fit if that is the look you wanted. You would have had to make the "large" one, which would fit more like a bedspread than a quilt. I have a 100" square on my queen bed and it's quite large. Probably 90 or 92 square would have fit mine better, but I do have a thinner mattress now than when I made the quilt, so it does fit a bit different than it used to.

Another idea would be to add another row of blocks, then borders. Or you could use it over another quilt and put the square on the diagonal as a decorative effect, or fold it at the foot or over a footboard. In the future, you might want to choose a pattern that is already designed as a rectangle, and large enough for the bed.

I agree, I don't like them either. I usually adjust my patterns to make a rectangle shape. So I end up passing by a lot of "square" quilts.

I'm meekly standing in the corner raising my hand to say I only design square quilts, only make square quilts, and only use square quilts...on walls, couches, chairs and beds. It's simply a more balanced format to my eye. However, I, too, am sorry the pattern didn't work out as you anticipated.

I don't mind square quilts. They can be useful as lap quilts, throw quilts, baby quilts, wall quilts, and supplemental warmth on a bed. The only thing they're not really good for is using as bedspreads.

I too like the square quilts. Squares are my favorite shape. As my great grandson sent me a card when I had my joint replacements-- it's hip to be square.

It seems a little silly to be angry at the pattern designer though. Do they not clearly indicate the dimensions of the finished quilt? It's then on you to decide if those dimensions meet your needs. If not, you can certainly find other patterns that are the size and shape you want, or you can adapt the pattern to be exactly what you want. I, like one posting above me, use square quilts over a more neutrally colored comforter or duvet, on point so to speak. The effect is pleasing and it's a very practical way to incorporate a variety of quilts into your decor.

How about making matching pillow cases/shams. The quilt will cover the portion of the bed not under the pillows & the pillows will just match.
I love square quilts!

Yea, I'm not real fond of square quilts either. I will either make it as a rectangle or avoid the pattern.

I like the square format for some designs. For sleeping under, I definitely prefer a rectangular one.

I thought it was only me. I have been wondering why so many are designed to be square. Even a throw for snuggling on a couch works better as a rectangle.
When I wanted to add a pillow tuck to a QR code quilt, I even had a lot of trouble finding any information on how big that should be.

Instead of trying to enlarge it to fit a bed why not make a neutral quilt the size you want on your bed then make a square quilt, place it on point over the neutral quilt. It will add a pop of color without having to redo all the directions.

I too find square quilt not suitable for a bed quilt. So many of the beautiful paper pieced patterns are for square quilts... it's a bummer.

Yes, pretty much what I do....noticing in almost all mags the featured quilts are those useless 54"x67" or whatever size....for what? I make quilts for beds. So I have to add whatever to get size I want.......I like when the pattern shows additional sizes....... Just me!

I've only been quilting for two years (my new retirement hobby) and I instinctively stayed away from square quilts. Could not imagine early on where they would fit. I too adjust the pattern if I like the block. I thought I was the only one that had that aversion.

Square quilts don't bother me. If I wanted a rectangular quilt, I would just make more blocks to make it as long and/or wide as I wanted it to be. Quilt patterns for me are just that, a pattern/guide, a starting point -- the final product is made to my requirements.

PP, that's what I've done on occasion. Another option is to add a bedskirt right to the 3 sides of the 'square quilt' to add length without bulk and weight. I've done that and it really looks nice.

I design most of my own quilts, and almost never manage to use someone else's pattern without "tweaking" it to make it work for my needs on the occasions when I buy one from someone else. That having been said, it isn't always simple to just "add another row of blocks" to get a rectangular quilt out of one designed to be square, and that can be TOTALLY frustrating! Sometimes adding another row can give you a quilt that's 140" long, by the time you add your sashings and planned borders, etc! Most of us don't want one quite that much longer. LOL! And those people who don't have the "designer gene" don't always know how to scale down the size of the blocks to compensate... well, that conversation could ramble on and on. Sometimes I simply use the main pattern like a medallion for the bed top and plan my complimenary borders and pillow cover to make it look like that was my intention all along. You can get some stunning results that way without giving up on a pattern that refuses to give up its square identity. But it's a lot more work, and the short answer is no, I don't really like square quilt patterns. And pillow shams won't add to the quilt at the foot of the bed, so that's not a real good solution to a quilt that's too short for a rectangular bed, unless it's an all-over block pattern!

Tartan has the right idea if you have a square pattern you love.

I don't make the queen size for queen beds; I make a king size for the queen beds and they come out just the right size

I am working on a quilt and figured: 60 x 80 queen mattress with square 11.5" blocks (12.5" unfinished with half inch seam allowance as doing no-sash qayg). No borders. 8 squares X 8 squares is 92x92.

92-60 is 32 is 16 inches overhang each side

92-80 is 16 inches overhang at bottom and six inches for slope up and over pillows (just pulled up flat on top, not tucked under pillow "bedspread" fashion).

This is what I calculated and now reading here, I am second guessing my vision for the quilt! I had originally planned for 8 blocks by 9 blocks but thought would not work unless was going to bedspread-style around the pillow with a good chunk folded under pillow and we don't make our beds that way. We are casual bed makers; just quickly pull everything up and call it made. Lol. My problem with most handmade quilts is they do not hang long enough over the sides to cover our backs. We thus end up with them on sideways to do the trick. Sometimes this leaves us short on the tootsies or shoulders. The challenge is placement of center design so it is actually in center of bed. It will not go in center of quilt but in the center of the 60x80 area of quilt.

I always adjust my quilt sizes. I use my quilts flat from top to bottom and like the drape on the sides. Since I don't need the length for top to bottom (I'm not covering pillows) I add my extra blocks to the sides. I go from there on how I adjust my borders and such.

What a fantastic idea!!!

I just always make more blocks to make it longer and if there is a border adjust for it.

I used to not like square quilts. (I still don't like the idea of small square quilts. What are they for? I can't figure it out.) But I found out that a square quilt, queen size, is just the right shape to make the queen bed as yobrosew does. That way we have a drop at the bottom, (no foot board) and drop on each side about equal. The top end goes over the pillows.
We have always made our bed that way. Easy and still looks nice once you get used to it.

This is when Electric Quilt computer program comes in handy. You can easily change a square quilt into a rectangle. I have only used square quilt patterns when I make a baby quilt.

I nearly always make square quilts as I always give them away and people like to use them for lap quilts or to drape them over a chair. I have never made a bed quilt yet as I hand quilt and as yet have never taken the quilt to be quilted.

I love square quilts and smaller quilts because I like to cuddle up with them. Even a twin size quilt is difficult to handle size wise when I'm trying to curl up and snuggle under a quilt on a chilly evening. What quilts I use on the bed are extra layers added at bed time if it is especially chilly and they don't have to cover the whole bed or fall over the edges for that matter. A quilt can be any size you want it to be just by adding or subtracting rows and columns, the size of the borders and such. If experimenting and creating isn't your thing then find patterns that are the size you want it to be.

I am on the other side of this coin. I like my sq quilts. It doesn't matter that they "FIT" any bed perfectly. I add old chenille bedspreads under them and let them show. I will put a quilt on the bed on point, heaven forbid, I am going to ****.

I like regular normal size quilt too but they aren't nearly as much fun to create with. I guess I like the challenge of making it work!:D

Any way you make them, enjoy!
peace

I like square quilts and use them as throws rather than bed quilts, or partially folded at the foot of a bed or on a couch. Am working on a nine patch Christmas theme bordered and sashed in 1 inch black - am very pleased at how it's turning out. It's 59 X 59 inches.

This is what I do! One on my bed right now over a coordinating solid. I like the look.

The only square quilt I like is for a table topper.

I made one and gave it to my Daughter. She bought a white bedspread and layed the quilt on point. She has a queen bed and the quilt was 72"x72" looked very nice like that.

A good way I found to remedy this is to make decorative pillow shams and the just put the top of the quilt under the pillows.