I agree, measure the way you want it and add a few inches for quilting & washing/drying shrinkage. I usually lose 3-4" overall on a queen and I usually throw mine in the dryer on low.

Me too. Seems there is no "standard" and some people like more overhang than others, or adaptations for footboards etc.

A quilt is a quilt, is a quilt no matter what size. Make it large enough to fit and cover the size that you measure on the bed. It will be beautiful when you are done :-)

Thank you everyone for the advice. Since I am fairly new to all of this, it has been extremely helpful. I will try to post pix when it is completed, may be a while as I am only about halfway through.

I like to make quilts for my queen-size bed at 104"-106" square. With this size I get the same drop all-around. This allows for some shrinkage after washing, I plan for 5%, and the quilt to drop to the top of the wooden rail. Also, with a square quilt my thoughts are that if/when, (it's never happened, LOL) my husband makes the bed, any way he puts the quilt it will always be right.

Size for queen bed
 

I usually make my queen size quilts 90x108 , but depends on how far off of the floor it is. I am sure she will love it what ever size it is.

And my packaged (pre-cut) batting is 90x108, something you might consider. I'm going to have to add some pieces to my batting, since my (make it up as you go along!) quilt top will be larger than that.

According to the AQS....the measurements used for a queen is 84 x 92

twin 62 x 87
full(double) 78 x 87
King 100 x 92

we use these measurements for all our long arm quilting ...keeps everything standardized

I just realized that I did not thank everyone for their answers to my question, so thank you. :) It wound up being 82 X 92 as I ran out of fabric at that size and stopped. Having it quilted now.

90X90 is what I usually aim for thos bigger is fine, too. But 90" square in my minimum queen size.