What Is Needed for a King Size Quilt?

Bed Size

• The standard size for a king-size bed is 80 inches by 80 inches. But when purchasing a quilt you’ll also have to consider how high off the ground the bed is, and your personal preference to how much of the quilt should hang over the sides. If you’re buying a traditional Amish quilt, your size choices will be a bit more limited, since the standard frame upon which the Amish quilt is made is 110 inches long by 116 inches wide.

Pillow Treatment

• For a king-size quilt, you’ll want to purchase king-size pillows and pillow cases for proper proportion. When assembling your king-size bedding set, you have an additional factor to consider: whether you want to use pillow shams, or whether you want to tuck the pillows under the quilt. If you’ll be tucking the pillows under you’ll need additional fabric, so consider purchasing a king-size quilt even if you’re outfitting a queen or full-size bed.

Sheets and Pillowcases

• Sheets and pillowcases to go with your king-size quilt can be purchased in a set. Sheet sets include a fitted sheet that snugly fits around the mattress, a flat sheet that’s used as a cover between the sleeper and the quilt, and two pillowcases that will be large enough to fit around king-size pillows. You may prefer the neater look of pillow shams; if so, be sure to purchase them in a king size.

Bed Skirt

• One advantage of a king-size quilt is that, depending on the dimensions of your bed, the quilt may drape over the sides and touch the floor, so that a bed skirt is unnecessary. If you decide to go with a bed skirt, however, be sure that it is the appropriate size for your bed, and also that it’s long enough to touch the floor. A coordinated bed skirt can add a polished counterpoint to the folksy style of the quilt.