Community Quilts Guidelines

Quilt Sizes

The sizes are based on recipients requirements with the sizes most often requested listed as preferred. Fabric selection and size should match. For example a quilt made with children’s prints should preferably be no bigger than single bed size. Also, when increasing the size of the quilt, or changing the shape (from a square to a rectangle), please ensure the added borders complement the quilt top.

Preferred Sizes:

50” x 70” - Single bed

40” x 50” - Lap

40” x 40” - Baby Mat

Other sizes:

30” x 40” - Cot

55” x 75” - Double bed

60” x 80” - Queen bed

72” x 80” - King bed

Quilt Backing

Backing should be matched by colour, fabric pattern, style, age, etc to truly complement the quilt. After all, quilt backing is seen against the quilt top when the quilt is partially flipped over.

  • When using multiple fabrics ensure they coordinate with each other and with the quilt top.

  • Sew fabric panels together with a 1/2" seam allowance and press seams open to reduce bulk.

  • Blocks or fabric from quilt top can be used to make a pieced backing.

  • Ensure the outside edges of the backings are straight.

  • For quilting on a domestic machine/sweet sixteen

    • the backing fabric should measure 4 inches wider and longer than the quilt top.

  • For quilting on a Long Arm

    • the backing fabric should measure 8 inches wider and longer than the quilt top.

    • seams should go horizontally across the backing fabric.

Do not add a small strip of fabric to reach the correct size as that could result in a seam right where the binding is attached.

Quilt Binding

The binding of a quilt should ideally be the same width on the front and back of the quilt and have a ‘full’ feeling, rather than a saggy feeling of just fabric at the edge.

The preference for CQ quilts is to sew the front by machine and then hand-stitch the back.

When making binding for quilts with wadding provided by CQ:

  • the length of the binding should be at least 10 inches more than the perimeter of the quilt

  • the width of the binding should be 2 1/4” and attached with a 1/4'“ seam

    • if using a 2 1/2” binding, then sew a 3/8” seam.

WAQA Label

The calico WAQA labels should be stitched on the quilt back at the bottom right or left corner of the quilt, after the quilting is done.