toogie

How much does a quilt shrink length and width, from just being a top, until it is finished LA machine quilted?
I made a top for a queen size bed. It came out a little wider than I wanted and a little shorter in length. Right now the pieced top measures 92x 95 before quilting. Will length be okay after quilting or should I add another row? Row adds about 5 inches to length. I have one made, but if I add it will make 5 rows above panel and 4 rows under. It would be way too long, I think to add one more row to both top and bottom.

QuiltE

The FMQing shrink will depend on how much quilting there is.
Lots/heavy quilting? vs. minimal quilting?

The other shrinkage you should consider is the shrinkage after laundering.
Many a quilter has made a quilt the perfect size .... only to see it shrink up with laundering.

Both are going to affect the length and widths.
Sorry, but I can't give you any "rules" as to shrinkage.

Your LA'er may be able to give you a guideline.
The battings all give their shrinkage on the packaging.

Good Luck!

sewbizgirl

Alot depends on the batting too. Cotton batting will shrink more than a poly batting. And were you working with prewashed fabrics? Or right off the bolt.... That factors in.

As QuiltE mentioned, the amount of quilting will "shrink" the quilt too.... well, not really shrink but it does compress it and make it smaller.

I would think if you wanted to minimize shrinking, you would start with prewashed cotton fabrics, then use poly batting with a minimum of quilting. (But I like to just let mine do what they do.)

SusieQOH

I've sent out several larger tops to be quilted and didn't notice any significant shrinkage. The people who quilted mine used 80/20 batt. Maybe that's the reason, I'm not sure. There was lots of quilting too.

I don't know much about Queen size so I can't comment on that.

Jennifer23

There are lots of variables, but I usually assume shrinkage will be 2-3%. I would say you're fine with the length you have.

Jingle

I always use pre washed fabrics and mostly poly batting. I haven't noticed any real difference. For my double size bed with a thick mattress, 18" deep sheet pocket I like my quilts to be 85" x 95" at least.