There are so many bed skirts available in thrift stores for all bed sizes, I buy them all the time. The prices are usually under $5 even for king size and since a bedskirt gets very little wear and washing, they are usually fairly like new. So you can change them out on your bed often. Also, bedskirts work great as fabric to use in borders, kaleidascopes and other applications where you need long areas of yardage you don't want to piece.
That way, your quilts can just cover the mattress and you can always have a nice cover for the springs.

WOW! so many different opinions on this subject, it sure was good to read all of them, and why you like them...

I started this post to see what most folks liked as far as size of the quilt went.. I'm making a quilt for a friend and it is a surprise so I really can't ask her what size she would like, I do know she has a full size bed, so after reading all of the post I think I will go with to the bottom edge of the mattress...Thanks for all of your replies it sure was fun to hear from all of you ladies...Thanks again

When I am making gifts, I almost always go with throw sizes as I feel those are the most useful and versatile. Smiles and hugssss.