How big a quilt could I do?

[Bill]

My mum asked me if I could do her a quilt. For a double bed 
Is that even possible on a standard size sewing machine? And if so, how?
Isn't bunching an issue on the right side of the needle?

[Lowena]

It's perfectly possible.I have done a kingsize and several double bed sized quilts on my domestic machine

[Efemera]

It is doable ... it depends on the throat space of your machine.

[Deafoldbat]

It's doable. My machine has about 6½ inches space to the right and I've managed to quilt a couple that were about 93" square.

It really depends what you want to do in the way of quilting. Long straight lines mean rolling the quilt tightly so that it will go through - you are allowed to stop and ease it along  - or you can fmq a block/section at a time so you're only working on a small area. It gets easier as you come out from the centre. You need plenty of space to the side and back of the machine to support the weight.

[Bill]

Thank you ladies. 6" ish throat on mine.

[charley]

Yes indeed it is. One time I could not really reach the middle, so I just 'tied' it, now I may hand quilt where the machine/or I could not reach.

[BrendaP]

Quilt as you go - it can then be any size you want.

There are several methods of QAYG.  You don't have to have sashing and you don't have to have thick joins in the wadding.

[Iminei]

this generous double was quilted in 4 parts

but I would suggest trying your hand at something smaller to start with ...

let your mum/mil know that it isnt as easy as waving a magic wand!

and no one believes how much the materials cost either ... the quilt above cost £201.00 in materials alone!!!!!!!!

[BrendaP]

This quilt was 81" x 81" - 2m x 2m - and quilted in four strips.  I did FMQ squiggles all over.

Yes, @Iminei  is right a big quilt takes a lot of fabric.  On a bed size quilt the backing needs to be about 4" - 10cm bigger all around than the pieced top, so unless you can find 90" / 230cm wide fabric it means 4.5m of 115cm fabric.  Same for the wadding.

The fabric for the top is a bit variable and depends on whether or not you need to buy it all new, or have some in stash.  Unless you cut the pieces very small or really big, my rule of thumb is that you need in total about twice the area of the finished quilt.  For a 2m x 2m quilt that works out to about 15 or 16 fat quarters plus half a metre for the binding.  Plus a couple of large reels of cotton thread.

Add it all up and you won't have much change from £200 for materials alone.

[Bill]

I've just been talking to mummy dearest by vid. I got tired of texting.
First few texts we'd established that it was in fact for her couch. So a throw really. How big is the couch? Mum said just go off a normal 2 seater. Which vary hugely in size  How far off the floor did she want it? How much tail hanging off the top? Does it need to cover the arms or just the seats? What sort of fabric would I need given it's going to be sat on and twisted to death on a daily basis? I gave up and video called her.
It's actually a blanket to cover herself when she gets cold.  WHY NOT JUST SAY A BLANKET MUM!? Gaaaaaaawd!
If I had any hair on my head it would go grey and then fall out.
She's going to measure how big she wants it and then she'll buy the fabric she wants when I've worked out how much we need. Mums paying for the materials so not a concern for me...unless I screw it up. She said she trusts me 

I'm impressed with those quilts @Iminei and @BrendaP!

[Lilian]

I am still learning P&Q but think it would be called a lap quilt.  There is a thread on here giving the sizes of various quilts. If I fid it I will point you in the right direction 

Here it is https://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,192.msg1295.html#msg1295

[Iminei]

Whatdya think @BrendaP  ...

a good sized lap quilt for two would be 60" (this one is 57")

for one 45" ?????

Both can be quilted as one under a domestic machine but it depends on the pattern you chose for the top whether you can, as a relative beginner, QAYG ...

The Red Quilt above was quilted as one but the Wedding Quilt, at 85 1/2" had to be quilted in quarters with 1/2" (finished) joining strips.

I think the most important information you need is her favourite colours/fabrics ... Or maybe you could use some old shirts and make a Memory Quilt as I did (twice)

[Ploshkin]

Personally I think 60" is too cumbersome for a lap quilt (but I am only 5'3").  I think 48" is much more manageable and fits the back of a 2 seater sofa nicely.

[BrendaP]

Maybe rectangular - 48" x 60" ? or thereabouts.

[Sara-S]

I do about 48" x 48" for a lap quilt. That size is totally feasible on your machine.