What do people do with all those smaller quilts
 

I love quilting and I do my actual quilting by hand. I long to make so many designs but know I am limited by time. As I look at patterns, I see so many that are not bed size. Most of these are in the 40 X 50 range. So I am asking for comments on what you do with these size quilts? I have one I throw on my couch but one is most likely all I will need. I have made 3 smaller than bed size for my daughters that they will either use on the couch or hang. So tell me what you do with them please so maybe I will be inclined to make a few more.:confused:

They can be used for a small throw, baby quilts, wall hangings, table topper, car quilt, etc. :)

We needed something larger than a large picture to hang on our cathedral ceiling over the fireplace so this is where one 40x 50" quilt could go. Generally, that size is for a throw or baby quilt, so they end up on the couch. I try to avoid making smaller quilts since my walls are already with photos and craft stuff

Other possibilities include pillow covers, someone has already mentioned table toppers. Small quilts to be folded and placed at the end of the bed.

The quilts I make now are about 45 x 60 and they are throws for the sofa. I made myself a few in different seasonal colors - I have a fall one, a winter one and a Christmas one at this point. I may make spring and summer ones. I think they change the feel of my den. The rest I give away.

I like to quilt a piece of this size. It's not too bulky and it goes quickly. Making bed sized ones are not fun to me and I'm in it for the fun!

Mine in the past have been gifts.

I like the idea explaines here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t261231.html

I hang them on walls and drape them over the back of the couch. We also have a stack of lap quilts for snuggling under while watching tv. I rotate the hanging ones to change the decor. Sometimes someone will come visit me and fall in love with a quilt, and I'll give it to them.

Sometimes I use the smaller ones when I need a little more at night, DH doesn't. That way I don't have bulk hanging over and stumbling over in morning.

I have many stacked on one rack in the living room. They come in handy if Jim's arms get cold, or my legs sometimes. I have put as many as three on the bed, scattered to cover all, but then I must put a sheet on top of that because of Mr. Muddy Paws.

There are many uses for a smaller quilt. A wall hanging, a table topper or a lap quilt are a couple uses that come to mind.

I make doll quilts for Operation Christmas Child (to pack in a shoebox with a doll and other goodies for a little girl). They are generally about 18x20, give or take. It's a great way to practice certain blocks without a big commitment. It gives me a chance to start something and finish it in fairly short order .

You can also donate to almost any kind of charity where your heart is inclined to comfort people, from babies in a local NICU, to veterans, to children in crisis (ask your local police dept), to cancer patients. The sizes will vary depending on the recipient and you will feel good in creating something that will make someone else feel special if you don't have use for it but still enjoy the process.

We have quilts all over the house. LOL!! The grandkids love to drag them around and play on them. We have hardwood floors and they get so cold in the winter. Some are on the couch in the living room to snuggle under, some in the family room for DH. He loves to watch TV covered in them. I put a couple on the beds for extra warmth. We have a pop-up camper and travel trailer and quilts are in there for cool summer nights or picnic tables. We love to go to the drive-inn in the summer and lay quilts on the ground to sit on if we get tired or the kids get sleepy. And I love giving them away. Usually it is my oldest DD who claims them once they are finished.

I have some friend who use them on tables.

I am not a fan of quilts on beds. I just don't like the look. So mine are in the 50x65 range to be snuggled under while watching tv or reading.

I'm with you on this one. I just finished a king size quilt and sent it to the LAQ. It was fun in the beginning but as it grew it was just too bulky to enjoy. Even the top was a wrestling match to put together. I can't imagine quilting one that size on my domestic machine. I don't see many more that size in my future.

I believe the size referenced is good for wheelchair quilts for donation to nursing homes or veterans hospitals. I also think that is a good size for baby/child quilts for Project Linus.

Project Linus.

I'm just getting into NICU quilts. very rewarding. they can be 12 x 15 or larger. right now i'm doing about 18 x 24. you can use a block and border it or do a mini quilt. the babies don't care and the parents are grateful.
have a block you don't like, border it and you have a NICU quilt.

What do you use on your beds?

I was going to recommend the same thing. I do this all the time. Gives me new looks without having to make larger quilts.

I make that size for wheelchair users . In homes they are colourful and individual to each person as well as easy to wash.

Smaller quilts are so nice to cuddle under this cold snowy winter while taking that nap while watching tv.

I don't make that size quilt. I make my lap quilts larger and my baby quilts and wall hangings are smaller. That's just me.

I have not been able to keep one myself yet... I have only made quilts to gift at this point. I have a long list of family and friends and lately a lot of expecting parents. I have made 4 baby boy quilts since Christmas.

Another idea especially for those who live in the north, you can hang the smaller quilts over your windows when temps drop below zero or you have some severe wind chill factors. It helps to block drafty widows and helps keep rooms warmer during such times. Keep a few smaller quilts in your car for emergency's. Use leftover scraps or batting scraps for fill in making a door draft stopper. Smaller quilts can be made and donated to the homeless shelters.

Sofa quilts made out of sarongs/odd fabrics act as covers to protect what's left of our worn leather couches from the hounds and felines which outnumber us. Quilts can be used everywhere, just made one out of worn out work clothes/and clothes that were to bad to be donated to charity as a back seat cover in one of our boys cars......their dog Mello sheds like crazy and the cheap dog cover they bought was next to useless.

Another thing you can make to get the practice on the different designs you like is a bed runner. It consists of a piece about 24" to 36" x width of your bed plus what you want to hang over the sides. The purpose of this is to have a plain color quilt or bedspread (I use white or cream) and place this at the foot of your bed to decorate. I like them

I can only use so many smaller quilts and was getting frustrated so I bought a long arm and now I make them king size. My solution to that problem!

My grandkids love the doll quilts I make for them. Now I make bed runner size that can also be used on the back of sofas or over chairs. Also baby size for showers.
No more bed size as I have enough.

DOGS, LOL That's why I have never made a quilt for our bed.

With my RA I can only make smaller quilts. I make lots of baby quilts and lap throws and donate all of them to either nursing homes for wheel chair patients or places like Ronald McDonald House, neo natal wards at hospitals or other charity org that can use them. It is really a great feeling to be able to help in this way.

I've read all of the obvious reasons for small quilts. But, have not seen that some people make and donate them to nursing home patients, small children when they are in an accident, prayer quilts and the one that I like best is the passing quilt.

I use the pattern, and then add blocks and borders until it is the size I want. I don't like square quilts, so I add to them to make it a rectangle. To me the patterns are just ideas.

Why not make them larger? Of course, you will not be able to make as many due to time constraints, but they will be a size you might use more often. Depending on the design, lots of quilts can be easily resized.

I make them for charity, specifically Project Linus. I like knowing my quilts are going to bring someone comfort instead of sitting folded up in a closet in my house...

You can actually make four, in the same size, then connect them into a bed size. Might look kind of neat done in four separate patterns, or four different medallion quilts. Just a thought....
i did make a 3'x3' quilt, then added a flange and made a cuff at the top for a window curtain for my bathroom window.....

I'm getting a build up of small quilts. I'm thinking I'm going to have to do what Madamekelly suggests!

When I did this to four baby quilts, I just did a hand ladder stitch to connect them. Perfect task for watching TV with DH. I connected them for a little boy to use on his first "big boy" bed using quilts his Grandma had made just for him. He took it with him to college!