The Complete Guide to Lap Quilt Sizes

Lap quilts are among our favorite quilts to make. A quick and easy project for cold nights in front of the TV, they are perfect for chilly nights. This is especially important for beginner quilters. What should their size be? Are everyone’s laps the same size? Do you have a complete guide to lap quilt sizes?

Lap quilts are small quilts that fit over a person’s lap and lower body. Quilts for laps are typically larger than those for babies, but they are smaller than those for throws. Their original dimensions would have been 45 by 45 inches and square. It is possible to purchase lap quilts of various styles, shapes and sizes in the modern age.

What are lap quilts and how are they used? Let’s find out in this complete guide to lap quilt sizes. We will show you how to make one, as well as how much fabric you will need. In our guide to lap quilt sizes, you will find out everything you need to know.

What Is a Lap Quilt?

A lap quilt is a type of quilted bedspread that covers the entire length of the bed, usually in two layers. This style of quilt is often used for children’s beds.

The lap quilt is a quilted blanket that covers your lap and lower legs when you are seated. The lap quilt will prevent your lower body from becoming too cold when you sit still for long periods of time.

It is commonly associated with elderly people and wheelchair users that lap quilts are used. Those who are less active and less likely to be active get colder more quickly because they are less active. People of all ages and backgrounds can use lap quilts, which come in a wide range of styles, shapes, and sizes.

If you’re watching a ball game or relaxing in front of the TV, a lap quilt keeps you warm and comfortable. As well as horse-drawn carriage rides, they’re great for kids! As with blankets, lap quilts can be used for many purposes.

What Size Is a Lap Quilt?

A lap quilt is a blanket that fits over your lap. They can be used for warmth in cold weather or comfort when you’re sitting on a couch or chair.

As far as size is concerned, a lap quilt fits over one person’s lap. A throw quilt is larger and can cover two people, whereas a bed quilt is smaller and can only cover one person. Lap quilts vary in size depending on their main purpose.

Considering the dimensions of different quilt options can be confusing. We’ve compiled a handy quilt size chart that will help you determine which is a lap quilt or a crib quilt.

There are average dimensions for different types of quilts included in the chart. Additionally, we have included a brief description of how they work.

It should be easier to visualize each quilt type if you see the size variations side by side. At a glance, you will be able to tell what type of quilt it is.

Chart of Lap Quilt Sizes

There is no limit to the shapes and sizes of lap quilts, as previously mentioned. In choosing a quilt size, you need to consider what your quilt will be used for.

The following chart shows some of the more popular lap quilt sizes. Additionally, we have provided examples of how to use each size. Depending on your individual needs, you can make your lap quilt bigger or smaller.

A regular-shaped lap quilt is the only one covered by the chart. It is possible that your lap quilt will have different dimensions than those listed for irregular shapes or circles.

What Is the Standard Size of a Lap Quilt?

The standard lap quilt measures 45 inches by 45 inches. The shape and size of this type are considered traditional. Nevertheless, lap quilts need not be squares, nor should they be small. Depending on your preference, they can be any size and shape.

Lap quilts for wheelchairs, for example, tend to be small. They are designed to fit wheelchairs and stay out of the way of wheels, measuring approximately 36 inches by 45 inches.

It is possible to find lap quilts that are 45 inches by 60 inches for taller people. It is necessary to extend the legs by this amount to ensure complete leg coverage in this situation.

The size of a lap quilt can range from 40 to 50 inches wide and 45 to 72 inches long. A quilt’s purpose and the recipient’s needs will determine how it’s made.

Size of Wheelchair Lap Blankets

Covering the lap and legs of the wheelchair user is the purpose of a wheelchair lap blanket. Sitting in a wheelchair can be very cold, especially in the winter. Wheelchairs must also be compatible with the lap blanket. This causes wheelchair lap blankets to be smaller than normal lap blankets or quilts.

A wheelchair blanket should be around 30 inches by 48 inches in size. The dimensions will depend on the person’s size and the chair’s width, as with other lap quilts.

In addition, the style of the lap quilt will play a role. It is not necessary for wheelchair blankets to be square. Customized to the recipient’s likes and personality, some gifts are designed specifically for them. Often, lap quilts are shaped like Minions from Despicable Me or dogs. Maybe even a cat-shaped quilt.

What Is the Difference Between a Lap Quilt and a Throw Quilt?

The difference between a lap quilt and a throw quilt isn’t that great. Because both quilt styles are used for the same thing, the terms are interchangeable. In addition to being nearly the same size as throw quilts, lap quilts are also very suitable for covering legs and laps. You can also use it as a couch throw.

Lap quilts and throw quilts are usually referred to by their makers. Depending on the quilt’s intended purpose, they choose between the two. A quilt is a gift that can be used for whatever purpose the person who receives it chooses.

A quilt made for a throw may suit the recipient’s needs as a lap quilt, while a quilt made for a throw may not. Because of this, there is much confusion about whether a quilt is a lap quilt or a throw quilt. The user may refer to it only as a quilt, further adding to the confusion.

It is only the size of a lap quilt that differentiates a throw from a throw. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Throw Quilts

Throw quilts are typically larger than lap quilts. More than one person can be covered by them, making them ideal for throwing over couches. Despite their size, throw quilts can also be used as extra covers for twin beds, though they do not have any overhang.

An average throw quilt measures 54 inches by 64 inches. However, there is no guarantee that this will happen. The size of a throw quilt can be whatever you like, just like the size of a lap quilt. From 50 inches wide to 65 inches long and everything in between, they come in all different sizes.

This isn’t the end. The throw quilt can be made the same size as the quilt for a king-size bed if you wish. You can snuggle up under a throw quilt that measures 110 inches by 108 inches.

Lap Quilts

As their name suggests, lap quilts cover the lower body and are often used on laps. The size of these quilts is smaller than that of throw quilts because of this. This is true to some extent. An individual’s lap is covered by a lap quilt. As well as being used in a chair, they can also be used on the ground.

Unlike throw quilts, lap quilts serve the purpose of covering a person while sitting. Their fronts sometimes have large pockets. It can be used for storing books, TV remotes, or glasses. The purpose of a lap quilt is to keep a sitting person warm and comfortable. Everything they need is at their fingertips.

The ideal size for a lap quilt is 45 inches by 45 inches. In most cases, this will cover the lower body and laps. The size of a quilt, however, varies from person to person and from opinion to opinion. Longer or wider quilts are preferred by some people. The smaller the quilt, the less space it takes up when it is not in use.

This is why lap quilt sizes can vary from a tiny 30-inch width up to a huge 72-inch length. In other words, lap quilts can be compared to throw quilts in terms of size.

You can call it either a lap quilt or a throw quilt at the end of the day. Neither is better at doing either job than the other. In general, a lap quilt is smaller than a regular quilt. Nevertheless, it isn’t important. Quilts can be used as lap or throw blankets. No matter what, it will give you a cozy feeling of warmth.

How to Make a Lap Quilt?

Find a pattern first before you begin making your own lap quilt. Patterns provide information on how much fabric you’ll need, especially if you’re just starting out. You will also know the overall size of the finished project.

There are many free patterns available on the internet or you can purchase them at quilting stores. Besides quilting magazines, there are also books with beginner-friendly projects.

Alternatively, you can create a simple lap quilt by following our step-by-step instructions. It is possible to purchase pre-cut squares called Charm Packs for this purpose. In a Charm Pack, there are at least 42 individual 5-inch squares.

A bright and cheerful quilt could be made from the LadyBird Charm Pack by Moda Fabrics. The quilt can be made in any size you desire and in any color combination, you like.

You will need:

• 2 x Charm Packs
• Batting
• Backing fabric
• A 2-inch wide bias binding with a double fold.

• Step 1 – Make a decision about how big you want your lap quilt to be. You’ll need 81 squares measuring 5 inches by 5 inches for a lap quilt measuring 45 inches by 45 inches. This is a simple calculation. The square is 5 inches wide, so we divide 45 by 5 to get the preferred width. We now have 9 squares. The length of 45 inches can also be divided by 5 to get 9 squares. Calculate the total number of squares by multiplying 9 x 9.
• Step 2 – Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew nine squares together in a row. The seam allowance should be pressed towards your darker fabrics on the back. In this way, you will prevent the front of the garment from showing the seam allowance. You should have 9 rows of 9 squares when you have completed this step.
• Step 3 – Make a large square by sewing the rows together. The seams should be pressed toward the darker fabrics again with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. The top of your quilt should now be complete. Due to the seam allowance, the Charm Pack squares have been slightly shortened in length and width. You will therefore have a quilt that is slightly smaller than 45 inches x 45 inches.
• Step 4 – You should cut your batting and backing fabric two inches larger than the size of your quilt top. You will have an overhang on all sides as a result. The three layers of your quilt top should be pinned together using safety pins. To ensure a flat quilt sandwich, smooth the layers together before you pin them together. Make sure the quilt is pinned every few inches with safety pins.
• Step 5 – The sandwich should be quilted. By using decorative stitches or stitching in the ditch along the previous seam lines, you can achieve this. Starting in the middle and working out is always the best way to quilt it. The bulk of the quilt will move out towards the edges in this way.
• Step 6 – After you’ve completed the quilting, it’s time to bind the edges. Bind the edges of the quilt with bias binding after trimming off the excess batting and backing.

How Many Squares Make a Lap Quilt?

Depending on the size of the quilt, you will need different numbers of squares. Your choice of squares will also depend on their size.

To make a lap quilt that measures 45 inches by 45 inches, you’ll need fewer 10-inch squares. The minimum number of squares per row should be four. A square lap quilt would also need four squares for its length.

If you used 10-inch squares, you would need to multiply 4 x 4, which means 16 squares. Allow at least half an inch of seam allowance when cutting your squares.

A 9 Patch quilt block consists of nine smaller squares arranged in a larger square. As a hypothetical example, let’s say the overall block measures 12 inches by 12 inches. Three rows of three squares make up the 9 Patch pattern. It takes four squares of 4 inches to make a 12-inch block.

Using 12-inch blocks, you will need four blocks to make a lap quilt 45 inches square. There are 9 little squares in each block. Therefore, each row of blocks has 36 squares.

A total of 16 blocks, made up of 9 little squares, will be needed for the length. The 16 blocks are made up of 144 little squares each.

To make the quilt top fit 45 inches x 45 inches, you will need to trim it down slightly. Having more than you need is always a good idea. By doing so, you’ll have some wiggle room for errors.

How Much Fabric Does a Lap Quilt Take?

Depending on the size of your lap quilt, your fabric requirements will vary. Quilt designs and patterns need to be considered as well. If you want to add borders or sashing to the quilt top, you must first decide whether to do so.

There is no more than an inch of space between the sides of a sash. The quilt blocks are framed by it. The quilt top is surrounded by a border. To make the quilt design stand out, borders are usually 2 – 3 inches wide and form a frame between the binding and the quilt top. Whether you use sashing or borders is up to you, but if you do, they will add to your fabric needs.

Be sure to include batting when calculating the amount of fabric needed for your lap quilt. Quilts are warm because of their batting, which is a soft, spongy layer. You need to make it at least 2 inches wider than the finished quilt top. In the same way, the backing fabric does as well.

When sewing different parts together, you should also allow for seam allowances. Blocks, sashing, and even individual squares or triangles within a block should be spaced accordingly. When calculating fabric requirements for a lap quilt, many factors need to be considered.

In this example, we will look at a lap quilt that measures 45 by 45 inches without sashing or borders. Cut each 3-inch square at 3.5 inches to allow for seams when using 3-inch squares. In order to make a 45-inch quilt, you will need 15 of the 3.5-inch squares. To make the quilt top, you need 15 rows.

You need to multiply 15 x 3.5 inches to find the length of each row. As a result, it measures 52.5 inches. It works out to just under 1.5 yards. To be safe, round up the yardage of quilting fabric to 2 yards. Most quilting fabric is 40-45 inches wide.

At least 2 inches should be added to your quilt top’s length and width for your backing fabric and batting. As you quilt the layers together, you will allow for shrinkage. If your lap quilt measures 45 inches x 45 inches, you should have a backing and batting that is at least 47 inches x 47 inches. Please round up to 2 yards since this is around a yard and a half.

It’s always a good idea to overestimate the fabric you’ll need when quilting, no matter what type of quilt you make. As a result, your project will have ample fabric.

Can You Use Fat Quarters to Make a Lap Quilt?

There is no doubt that fat quarters are an excellent pre-cut size for quilts of all sizes. The original purpose of fat quarters was to make quilts. Fat quarters are the perfect size for lap quilts since they are one of the smaller quilts you can make.

Fat quarters measure 18 inches x 22 inches, so it’s roughly the size of a quarter yard. Because of their size, they are ideal for lap quilts because you can buy many different shades or patterns. With a few yards, you can get creative and save a lot of money.

Fat quarters can be used in as few as 8 or as many as 12 lap quilts, depending on their size. In addition to individual fat quarters, fat quarter packs come in coordinating designs. So you can use your imagination to the fullest.

It will be a lot easier to work with fat quarters too! It takes up less space on the cutting table because they are only slightly bigger than a quarter yard. Getting smaller triangles and squares cut out is much easier!

What Is the Best Size for a Lap Quilt?

There are a variety of sizes available for lap quilts. Choosing the right size depends on your needs. Consider making the quilt 36 inches by 45 inches if you’re making it for a wheelchair user.

Why not go for a bigger armchair when you’re relaxing in front of the TV? Your lap, your legs, and your toes will stay warm with a super cozy 45″ x 54″ quilt!

When it comes to lap quilts, there is no right or wrong size. The size that suits you best is the one that you choose.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lap quilts are a wonderful way to add color and texture to your home without breaking the bank. They’re easy to sew, too, which means that you can whip up a bunch of these beauties in no time flat.

As far as sizes go, there really aren’t any hard and fast rules. However, the size of your finished product will depend largely on the size of the fabric you use and the pattern you choose. For example, if you want to create a large lap quilt, you’ll probably need to buy larger pieces of fabric than you’d normally use for smaller projects.

Of course, you can always alter the size of your project after you’ve made it. So whether you’re planning on using a small piece of fabric or a huge swatch, keep in mind that you can easily change the size of your final product.