Topiary Quilt "Extra" - King Size Pattern Suggestions

"Topiary Quilt" as featured in the Hawthorne Threads newsletter 9/19/17

Have you ordered a copy of my new Topiary Quilt pattern? Go here to purchase!

When I designed my latest quilt, I ventured into "multiple sizes" territory for the first time, and debated back and forth about how big to cap my dimensions. Ultimately, I decided that few people were likely to rush into make a king (full disclosure: I've been quilting for twenty some-odd years and have yet to make a king size quilt myself!), so I'd focus on smaller scales. The pattern is available in five sizes from mini (perfect for throw pillows) to queen. But having recently received a request for how to enlarge it, I now realize there are some king size quilters out there who might want additional guidance, and I'm more than happy to oblige.

{*Psst* pattern extras, like this size guidance, coloring pages, and images of alternate colorways, can be found on my Pattern Extras page under the Shop tab. Updates to patterns, new tips, or images of finishes are posted there for customers' easy access.}

Topiary Quilt - King Size Pattern Suggestions

• Before you resize, check out this great chart for calculating size, drop & tuck. I encourage you to measure the bed your quilt will be on and see how much drop and/or tuck you might want, then work backward to decide the quilt size.
• If you don't want much drop, you *might* be able to get away with making the queen size of the pattern. (I tend to err a little bigger for each "standard" size.)
• Or you could add a column of blocks to one side of the queen dimensions to make a 100" x 120" quilt. When purchasing fabric for this option, you can get away with adding the fabric allowance for a baby quilt to the fabric allowance for the queen quilt to calculate total yardage needed. (All sizes have some fabric overage built in, so you could easily get five blocks for the extra column out of this yardage.) Also note that king size batting will be 120" x 120" if packaged, so you would be cutting it close unless sending to a longarmer who can load the quilt sideways and work from a continuous roll of batting. 
• Or you could sew partial blocks to add on each side of the queen size top since the pattern's block is symmetrical and breaks down into 2" columns. Creating 4-6" worth of each block and adding to the quilt's edges would keep the design mirrored. (And again, you could calculate needed yardage using the queen + baby size fabric requirements calculation mentioned in the previous option.)
• Or you could add borders. Personally, I prefer quilts without a border, but this would be an easy option to enlarge the queen size. Unless you're already a pro at quilt borders, though, I recommend looking up a few tutorials on how to properly measure and sew to make sure they fit well and lay smooth (here's a good place to start).

I hope one of these options is the just right solution for you to enlarge the pattern to king size. Still have questions on getting the right fit? Please email me at berrybarndesigns@gmail.com for assistance. Want to show off your king size finish? I'll be the first to offer up cheers on a big project well done! Tag me on Instagram @berrybarndesigns when you share images using #topiaryquilt.