Possibilities also has a book, "Divide and Conquer", about quilting a large quilt in manageable sections. In the end you will have a large one-piece quilt, so I am not sure if this would suit your purpose or not.

http://www.amazon.com/Divide-Conquer-Quilt-Your-Way/dp/1880972433/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362954408&sr=1-4&keywords=divide+and+conquer

Marti Michell hass a book called Machine Quilting in Sections for the quilting aspect, talks about the various weights of batting. Some are so thin you hardly know they are in the quilt.

I have a front-loading machine and I have managed to wash a super king sized (traditional) quilt in it without any difficulty. I used a thin 100% cotton batting so it wasn't very puffy to begin with. I also tumbled it dry because it was so big and we don't get enough good dry weather here to dry a quilt on a clothes line. Another option would be to not use any batting at all. Good luck with it and I hope you post some photos.

Personally I wouldn't do this with a very traditional quilt, but if you want to make one in a modern style, Paula, you could make it in three long section and attach zippers to create one very large quilt that comes apart for washing. I have never thought about this before, but I find the idea quite appealing. Please, let us know what you decide.

Why not use a purchased bedspread and make a smaller beautiful quilt to lay across the foot of the bed?

Maybe you could make three quilts with velcro on the edges that connect? Or maybe buttons and buttonholes? Or snaps?

I would like to make a quilt that is the size of a king size bedspread. I am concerned about the weight and the manageabilty. I like to wash my quilts in a front loading machine. I was try to think of a way to make the quilt so it comes apart in two or three sections. I live in Texas so it does not have to be one of those real thick, warm quilts. Help!
Thanks
Paula