Wall Quilt Sizes

[Betty J.]

American Quilter's Society recently released their rules for 2017 shows with some guidelines for quilt sizes which got me to thinking about it. I find it interesting that they specify width and length rather than total perimeter or square inches for their categories, making it possible for someone to have an absolutely marvelous show quilt that is 61 x 39 or 27 x 37 for example, and not be able to enter it into any of their categories. So it is important to read the rules, but it also makes me think.

I make my show quilts to first show and then to hang on someone's wall after it has its show season...either as a gift or as a purchase or my own wall...in homes or offices. Anyway, I think making one's show quilts at a size that is really good for later use is important. So I wrote about this in a blog post What do you think about sizes for quilts that are meant to hang on a wall...what size do you work in if you make such quilts? Cheers.

[Geneva C.]

Betty Jo, You bring up an interesting and important conversation. Thank you.

When I make an art/wall quilt I don't pre plan the size. That seems limiting to me, which messes up the design process. And many times I start a quilt with no plan at all, least of all the size. However, I like you, I try to keep wall quilts to under the 48"x48" size. I quilt on my Bernina 730 and that's about all I can push and pull through the harp.

Thanks for pointing our the new AQS rules.

geneva

[Betty J.]

Yes, I've been just making whatever size for a long time now, but I think I need to pay more attention now that I have decided on a course of action...make quilts for shows, sell most of them after their show season, give a few away, keep only the ones I have space for. I've thought about this for a long time...that is, how wall quilts fit into homes and businesses, but the AQS rules just brought it to my mind again.