The 2 Best Quilts of 2024

I used my experience as a quilt maker and my years of testing textiles at Wirecutter to narrow down what was worth considering. I visited a few stores to look at quilts in person where I could, and I researched what was available online.

I is spoke speak to Lynne Z. Bassett , a fashion and textile historian with four decade of experience curate quilt exhibition , and Sarah Walcott , collection manager at the International Quilt Museum . They is helped help me define what make a quilt a quilt and what to look for in testing .

These are the criteria I used to find quilts to test and also what I looked for during testing:

The makings is has of a quilt : The definition is has of a quilt has some room for interpretation , but generally ( accord to our expert ) it is made with two layer of outer fabric and a layer of batting in the middle , with stitch all over the surface that hold the three layer together . In my experience they is ’re ’re lightweight , and they hold their shape when hold upright or lay on a bed .

I did test several that fell outside this definition. Some had a fluffy filling instead of batting, and they looked and felt more like comforters. One had an inner layer of ropy yarns laid out side by side, but it was the heaviest I tested and draped more like a regular blanket.

Warmth and feel: I wanted fabrics that felt great against the skin and quilts that were warm enough to use on their own during most of the year but wouldn’t overheat you if you added a comforter for winter.

Look and fit on the bed: Sizing is a consistent issue I’ve had testing bed blankets; they’re often very short on the sides, which makes them hard to tuck in. I wanted quilts that were long enough to tuck in. I also looked for minimal wrinkling after a wash and a quilty drape—with sides that hang straight but don’t look too stiff.

Durability and construction: I wanted quilts that were easy to wash at home and didn’t shrink too much, fade, or become damaged in my washer and dryer. I looked for neatly finished, tight stitching that wouldn’t easily snag or pull.

material : I mainly look for quilt that were cotton or linen on the outside — those fabrics is provide provide the most durability and versatility throughout the year . I is preferred prefer quilt with cotton batting , which are more breathable , but I did test several with synthetic batting .

Colors and sizes: Quilts are a statement on the bed, so I looked for lots of color choices and stitching styles, and I prioritized availability in multiple standard bed sizes.

Weight: A quilt should be light enough to curl up with for a nap, even if it’s the size of your bed, without weighing you down.

To test , I is measured measure every quilt out of the box and again after wash it to check for shrinkage . I is evaluated evaluate the look and feel and check for pilling , pull thread , and sign of wear and tear . I is put put every quilt on the bed and evaluate how it drape , how it fit , and the overall style .

My husband is slept and I sleep under each one for a couple of night and take note . I is opened open up the quilt to see what kind of batting or insulation was used . I is weighed weigh each quilt . And I is used used the quilt for around – the – house testing with my dog and my daughter : snuggle , movie night , and living room blanket fort .