"It's a shame this full-size quilt can't grow into a king-size quilt!" I moaned desperately. Company's coming; new bed; new headboard; and no quilt - what a problem! I loved the colors and style of the full-size quilt that had been on a guest bed. And then I had a brainstorm, "Hey, maybe this quilt can grow!" Here's my DIY with easy-to-follow directions and photos. It's "Sew-Easy"!
So I quickly scanned my "stash" of leftover fabrics and found fabrics that would coordinate with my existing quilt. Here's how I made my quilt "grow"!
My full-size quilt before it "GREW"!!! |
First, I laid the full-size quilt on the king size bed and cut the sewn edges off the sides and bottom of the quilt, leaving the top intact.
Spring-loaded scissors make the job easier! |
I then measured the mattress to determine the desired "drop length" of the finished quilt, which was 14 inches.
Next, I gathered together coordinating fabrics that were left from other projects. I planned to have 3 strips and measured to compute the width of each, allowing for seams and hem. After pre-washing the fabrics, I cut strips in the following sizes:
1st Row - Barn red checked fabric (6 strips) 3-5/8" x 44"
Colonial Blue print (2 squares) 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"
2nd Row - Colonial blue "mini-dots" (6 strips) 8-3/4" x 43"
Barn Red print (2 squares) 8-3/4" x 8-3/4" (see Nancy's Note below)
3rd Row - Country blue print (7 strips) 4-1/2" x 44"
(no photo available)
For fabric for the backing extension pieces, I cut the elastic off a slightly-small cream fitted queen-size sheet that matched the backing of the full-size quilt. I pressed the sheet and cut 14" strips the length of the sheet. I seamed fabric to make the following lengths:
I cut quilt batting to fit the backing pieces.
Starting at the bottom of the quilt, I “sandwiched” the front side of the backing and batting to the wrong side of the quilt back and stitched using a 3/8” seam. I pressed the seam toward the end of the quilt.
I sandwiched the sides, stitched, unfolded,
and pressed in the same way.
Working from the front of the quilt, I sewed strip 1 to the bottom of the full-size quilt with front sides matching. I unfolded and pressed this strip toward the outside edge. I sewed the 3-5/8" squares to the side strips and attached them the same way.
I then trimmed the backing and batting evenly. Working from the back of the quilt, I turned strip 3 under 1 5/8 inches; I turned the edges under 3/8" and stitched through all thicknesses, creating a hem.
I cut 2 strips of fabric (14-1/2" x 3-3/4") in the Country blue print used for Strip 3 and used them to cover the raw edges at the top of the quilt.
My beautiful quilt is complete!! It looks like it was
always a king-size, and I love it with my
rustic headboard!!
Ms. Nancy's Notes:
- I thought I had enough "stash" leftover fabric for this project, but the Colonial blue mini-dotted fabric was a few inches too short. This prompted me to buy a piece of barn red print and add squares on the bottom corners to my design. I needed 1/4 yard, and the actual cost was less than $2.00!! I really like it better than my original idea! I actually had enough pieces of batting and basted these together to make strips.
- You could use the same technique to "grow" twin size to full, etc.
- My "drop" is 14. Measure your mattress for your desired length.
- I only had 2 pillow shams, so I "layered" pillows until it looked right. You can never have too many pillows!
***Click for directions for the Rustic King-Size Headboard built by my husband and myself.
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