Hand Block Print Quilts: How to Choose, Layer and Care for One

A hand block print quilt does a quiet job well. It adds a layer of warmth, a little pattern and a lived-in look to the bed. If you are trying to decide which quilt belongs on your bed, this guide covers what block printing actually is, how to choose a size and pattern, how to layer a quilt through a Canadian winter, and how to care for the quilts we make.

What makes a quilt "hand block print"?

Block printing is a traditional way of putting pattern on cloth by hand. The Luna Vine quilt is hand block printed and quilted using traditional crafting methods, and the Terrace quilt is block-printed and quilted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques.

We vet our makers and suppliers, and we choose block print pieces for the character in the pattern as much as the cloth underneath. The Luna Vine and Terrace quilts are cotton-covered, hand block printed and quilted, and made in India.

Indaba is a women-owned, multi-generational family business, WBE certified, and we have been choosing handcrafted textiles for the home for more than 30 years. Block printing is a craft we keep coming back to.

Quilt, duvet or blanket: what is the difference?

These words get used loosely, so it helps to separate them.

• A quilt is a flat, lightly layered cover, usually stitched through so the layers stay put. It is lighter than a duvet and works as a bedspread, a top layer or a summer cover.
• A duvet is a thicker insert that lives inside a cover and gives most of the warmth on a cold night.
• A bed blanket is a single layer, often woven or quilted, that you fold at the foot of the bed or add for extra warmth.

Many people use a quilt on top of a duvet cover in the colder months and on its own when the weather turns. If you are weighing fabrics for the layers underneath, our guide to linen versus cotton bedding is a good companion read.

Choosing a size

Size is where most quilt purchases go wrong, so measure before you fall for a pattern.

• Know your mattress. Measure the width and the depth of the mattress, not just the label on the bed frame. A thick mattress with a pillow top needs more drop than a slim one.
• Decide on the drop. A quilt that skims the top of the mattress sits neatly as a top layer. A quilt that falls over each side reads as a bedspread.
• Think about sharing. On a shared bed, extra width stops the quilt from migrating to one side overnight.

Check the dimensions on each product page before ordering, since sizes differ from piece to piece. Our king size block print quilts, such as the Luna Vine Block Print Quilt and the Terrace Block Print Quilt, are both designed to drape generously across the bed. The Liliette cutwork quilt, covered below, is queen-sized.

Choosing a pattern and colour

Choose the quilt first and let the rest of the bed follow.

• For a calm room, the Terrace quilt has a subtle, lattice-inspired pattern in calm, understated tones, and it brings cohesion and softness to the bed as a finished top layer.
• For a bolder bed, the Luna Vine quilt has warm, expressive tones of pink and mustard with intricate vine and floral detailing. It is reversible, with a floral pattern on one side and a complementary motif on the other. Keep your sheets and duvet cover plain so the quilt carries the room.
• For a patterned room already, go for a quiet pattern or a texture instead. A cutwork quilt, covered below, gives you interest through surface rather than print.

If you are unsure, hold the pattern next to your wall colour and your headboard. A pattern that fights your floor or your walls will always look busy.

Beyond block print: other quilts worth knowing

Block print is not the only way to get a quilt that feels handmade. A few other styles are worth a look, depending on the mood you want.

• Kantha. The Cloud Kantha Bed Quilt in Earth has wavy lines of earthen coloured hand kantha stitching, a twist on the traditional straight running stitch, and an extremely soft quilted texture. It is designed to add warmth to the bed when paired with an Indaba duvet set. You can read more about the craft in our kantha blanket story.
• Cutwork. The Liliette Cotton Cutwork Bed Quilt is a queen-sized quilt in soft ivory, handcrafted in India with traditional cutwork and hand-stitching. It is filled with cotton, each quilt takes months to complete and no two are exactly alike. The Velvet Cutwork Bed Quilt has a plush cotton velvet surface and a fully hand-cut and hand-stitched pattern.
• Quilted bed blankets. The Palladio Quilted Bed Blanket in Stone is a soft stone grey with an embroidered floral pattern and extra soft cotton layers. It is made in India using traditional crafting methods and machine embroidery.

You can browse the full range in our Bedding collection.

How to layer a quilt on the bed

There is no single right way. These are the three arrangements people use most, and each one suits a different season.

1. Quilt as a bedspread

Pull the quilt up to the pillows and let it fall evenly over the sides. Tuck the top edge under the pillows, or fold it back to show the sheet and add a little contrast. This is the tidiest look and the easiest to make each morning.

2. Quilt folded at the foot

Make the bed with your sheets and duvet, then fold the quilt in thirds and lay it across the bottom of the bed. You get the pattern on show and an extra layer within reach on a cold night. This works well over a plain duvet cover.

3. Quilt over the duvet

For deep winter, lay the quilt over the duvet and let it hang evenly. The quilt adds a layer of warmth and keeps the duvet cover clean. If you want to build the look further, our guide to layering throw blankets and our post on styling a bed with pillows walk through the rest of the layers.

Quilts for a Canadian winter

A quilt is easy to add, move or take away in seconds. Keep it folded at the foot of the bed through the shoulder seasons and use it as a full top layer once the heating comes on. The Terrace quilt is described as plush yet breathable for year-round comfort, and the Liliette quilt is cotton-filled for a quilted, textured feel that works year-round.

How to care for a block print quilt

Care differs from quilt to quilt, so follow the instructions on each product page.

• Luna Vine and Terrace: Machine wash gentle with like colours, and hang to dry.
• Velvet Cutwork: Machine wash gentle, do not bleach, hang dry and iron on low.
• Cloud Kantha: Spot clean only.
• Liliette: No care instructions are listed on the product page, so please check with us before washing.
• Palladio: No care instructions are listed on the product page, so please check with us before washing.

The Luna Vine and Terrace quilts have a 100% cotton cover and a 100% polyester filling.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a quilt and a duvet?

A quilt is a flat, lightly layered cover that is usually stitched through. A duvet is a thicker insert that goes inside a cover and provides most of the warmth. Many people use a quilt on top of a duvet in winter and on its own in warmer months.

How do I wash a block print quilt?

The Luna Vine and Terrace quilts can be machine washed on gentle with like colours, then hung to dry. The Cloud Kantha quilt is spot clean only. Check the care instructions on each product page.

Which quilt is reversible?

The Luna Vine quilt is reversible, with a floral pattern on one side and a complementary motif on the other.

What size quilt do I need for a king bed?

The Luna Vine and Terrace block print quilts are king size, made for king beds. The Liliette cutwork quilt is queen-sized. Measure your mattress and decide how much drop you want before you choose.

Can I use a quilt year round?

The Terrace quilt is described as plush yet breathable for year-round comfort, and the Liliette quilt is cotton-filled for a quilted, textured feel that works year-round.

Where to start

Start with the bed you have: measure the mattress, pick one pattern you love and keep everything around it plain. A block print quilt will do the rest. Browse the Bedding collection to see every quilt, kantha and bed blanket we make, and feel free to write to us if you would like help matching a quilt to your room.