70 Cozy Lap Quilt Patterns You Can Sew For Free

Do you absolutely love making (and using!) lap quilts? I think lap-size quilts make the perfect sewing project for quilters of all skill levels for lots of reasons. Just in case you’re curious, I’ll list the ones I can think of first:

  • You can finish them in a day or two
  • You can do your own quilting on your domestic machine
  • You can give them away to honorable charities
  • You can learn, practice, and master the basics affordably
  • You can gift them as cherished baby quilts
  • You can practice new quilting techniques without waste

I’m sure you can come up with even more reasons that you love these quilts too, but let’s get going because time is money (I’ve got you)!

Quarter Log Cabins

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a fast and easy log cabin quilt with just three yards of fabric! This captivating throw quilt pattern is perfect for keeping for yourself or sharing with a friend.

Diamond in a Square

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

Even though this quilt pattern has just one block โ€“ the diamond in a square โ€“ sewing the same block with different fabrics makes secondary patterns appear. Can you see the stars? My step-by-step quilt tutorial includes quilt piecing tips to help you get the best results. Finished, this quilt is 50″ x 58″.

Four Patch

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The four-patch unit is a basic building block in patchwork quilts. Many more complicated quilt blocks build on the simple design of the four patch. There is a free quilt pattern included in the tutorial for a simple lap quilt.

Scrappy Log Cabin

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This quilt pattern is perfect for busting your scraps! In this tutorial you can choose to make 4″ blocks or 12″ blocks. Then you can arrange your blocks however you choose to make the perfect lap quilt. Remember to tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe so I can see how you put your blocks together and how big you made it!

HST Star

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Get ready to sew your next quilt using half square triangles! This fast and easy (and free) fat quarter friendly lap quilt pattern uses my shortcut method for sewing two half square triangles (HSTโ€™s) at one time.

Mosaic Tiles

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

This Mosaic Tiles Lap Quilt Pattern is a 44โ€ x 54โ€ pattern that teaches you how to make the classic Mosaic Number 2 quilt block. It’s great for beginners and experts alike!

Fussy Cut Stars

Photo credit: Riley Blake Designs

Sew a Friendship Star block quilt using little fussy cut panels as the center of each star. I love the bold colors and adorable fabric of this quilt. The free quilt pattern is at Riley Blake Designs.

Rag Quilt

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Rag quilts are fast, fun to make, and so cozy! And contrary to what the โ€˜quilt policeโ€™ might tell you, you can use just about any fabric too; though the ‘quilt police’ might tell you that 56″ x 63″ is a throw size, not a lap size. Alas!

Medallion Huddle

lap quilt
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The Huddle Quilt pattern is a fast and easy medallion quilt pattern thatโ€™s perfect for large prints because it makes them the focal point. Plus there is plenty of negative space to let the eye enjoy your favorite fabrics even more.

Bow Tie Baby

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This easy lap quilt pattern finishes at 40โ€ square. Without too much trouble, you can piece it in a day โ€“ I promise.

Fat Quarter Fancy

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew up this beautiful quilt using 9 fat quarters plus a little more than a yard of background fabric. The Fat Quarter Fancy quilt is approximately 52โ€ square โ€“ made up of 36 blocks that are 8 1/2โ€ (finished). Thatโ€™s a smallish throw quilt or a large lap or baby quilt. You could easily adapt the pattern to make it larger or smaller using more or fewer blocks.

Baby Heart Log Cabin

https://sewcanshe.com/2018-6-19-baby-heart-log-cabin-quilt-free-quilt-pattern/ 42x42 large crib, lap, small throw
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Each block in this free quilt pattern starts with a low volume neutral center square. Then 2 dark pieces to make the heart. And finally there are 4 more low volume neutral strips that go around the heart. Make sure to tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe so I can see how you are loving your quilts!

Amish Star

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The Amish Star Quilt Pattern is a 50โ€ x 50โ€ lap quilt pattern with big Amish Star quilt blocks. This Amish Star quilt pattern teaches shortcut methods for sewing half square triangles and flying geese units. It is great for beginners.

Rail Fence

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

All you need for this gorgeous free quilt pattern is 3 one yard cuts of fabric from your stash. The Rail Fence Quilt Pattern is a 54โ€ x 60โ€ lap quilt pattern.

Starry Log Cabin

Photo credit: Donna Jordan / Jordan Fabrics

There is a video tutorial for this beautiful Log Cabin Quilt pattern. It finishes at 41″ x 58″ for a generous lap size quilt.

Fat Quarter Four Patch (any size)

Photo credit: Fat Quarter Shop

This is a shortcut quilt that is easy to make and really delightful. The pattern includes sizes for crib, lap, throw, or queen quilts.

Carpenter’s Star

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The Carpenterโ€™s Star is a traditional quilt design that uses half square triangles. This simple and free quilt pattern is a medallion quilt that has the Carpenterโ€™s Star at the center and a cute border too. It finishes at 66″ x 66″ for a throw or generous lap quilt.

Birdies Baby Dresden

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a darling lap quilt (or baby quilt) with my Dresden quilt block pattern that looks like gently whirling badminton birdies! Whether you see the quarter Dresden flowers on this quilt that way or not, itโ€™s still a beautiful way to combine applique and piecing together with your favorite fabrics to make a 50โ€™โ€™ square quilt.

Pretty Pastels Log Cabin

Photo credit: Smitha Katti for Fiskars

Do you love classic Log Cabin Quilts? These large quilt blocks make this an easy quilt, and the prints you use do the rest!

Spools and Stars

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This spool quilt pattern is unique because it may appear to have two different blocks that you have to learnโ€ฆ but you only have to learn and sew a single block. When you sew the blocks together, the pretty sawtooth stars will appear!

Fat Quarter Flowers

Photo credit: Fat Quarter Shop

This shortcut pattern for Fat Quarter Flowers really does come together nicely. Get all your HSTs ready for this lovely lap quilt.

Autumn Woods

Photo credit: Gluesticks

The post for Autumn Woods doesn’t exactly have a pattern, but it’s lovely inspiration for you to make your own patchwork lap quilt.

Molly’s Sketchbook

Photo credit: Molly / purlsoho.com

Molly said, “This Simple Four Square Quilt crystallizes everything I love about quilt making! It uses traditional block patterns in a decidedly unorthodox way, exploring color and proportionality much like a striking modern painting.” I think it’s a beautiful piece of work, and at a finished 48″ x 48″ it would make a unique and cherished lap quilt.

Christmas Tree and Stars

Photo Credit: The Crafty Quilter

This 36.5″ x 36.5″ quilt is perfect for a wall hanging or a baby quilt as well as a small lap quilt. Even if you don’t choose to make this beautiful quilt you should head over to the tutorial and appreciate the beautiful quilting.

Buttercup

Photo by Tildafabrics.com

There are so many gorgeous quilts on the Tilda website, Tilda Fabrics. This quilt finishes at 56ยฝ” x 74ยฝ”, but because the pattern repeats so often it would be easy to make it a lap size.

Bright Stretched Stars

Photo credit: AccuQuilt / FaveQuilts.com

The Bright Stretched Stars quilt has a beautiful design with white background squares and colorful half-square triangles to create a traditional stretched stars. This pattern was designed specifically for the AccuQuilt, but you can cut everything by hand just as well.

Hunter’s Star

Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson / Polka Dot Chair

The oversized quilt block of Hunter’s Star makes this quilt come together quickly. The quilt finishes at approximately 48″ x 48″.

Sentimental Stars

Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

Sentimental Stars is a classic quilt design with so many options. Imagine it with a white background and colorful stars, or bright pink on black. I do love the clean look of two light solids though; it’s gorgeous.

Spaceship

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

I have made this pattern super easy to sew and super easy for anyone to love. This space themed quilt pattern makes a darling baby, crib, or lap quilt that is 46โ€ x 46โ€.

Daydreams

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

I love pinwheel quilt patterns! Learn to sew an easy Pinwheel Lap Quilt using big blocks. The large pinwheel blocks sew together easily so you can quickly piece this baby quilt pattern in an afternoon with very little fabric waste.

Fast Four Patch

Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

This quilt pattern is perfect for a beginner quilter. It uses the basic quilt block Four Patch and turns out beautifully. The quilt in the picture is 40″ x 56″.

Oh Holy Night Christmas Star

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Use my free lap quilt pattern to make a small Christmas quilt with a pieced star and the words โ€˜Oh holy nightโ€ฆโ€™ in appliquรฉ letters. The finished size of this quilt is 36โ€ x 36โ€, so it would make a sweet baby quilt too.

QAYG

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Make a strip quilt and quilt it as you go (QAYG) so by the time the quilt top is done, the back and quilting are done too, and you are ready for binding! This pattern includes a video tutorial.

Little Trees

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Hereโ€™s an easy pine tree quilt pattern that is darling for the holidays or any time of the year! This free Little Trees Quilt Pattern makes a lap quilt that is approximately 53โ€™โ€™ x 51โ€™โ€™.

Panel Quilt

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

This free quilt pattern is perfect for beginners. You can use it with ANY size fabric panel. For the finished size just add 16″ x 16″ to the panel measurement.

Bricks

Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

This fat quarter friendly lap quilt finishes at 42″ x 54″, but you can easily modify the size by adding or removing bricks.

Sailing Away

https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/sailing-away-free-baby-quilt-pattern-with-sailboat-blocks
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew an adorable modern lap quilt with sailboat blocks and a gorgeous ocean pieced with quarter square triangles! This easy quilt pattern includes tips for sewing fast and easy half square triangles and quarter square triangles.

Please post a picture to Instagram and tag me @SewCanShe or #sewcanshe so I can take a look!

Hello Neighbor!

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

This darling larger lap quilt pattern is perfect to keep in your house or give to a friend. The Hello Neighbor! 3 Yard Quilt Pattern contains 16 house blocks. Each block is 10 1/2โ€ tall x 8โ€ wide after sewing. The finished size of this throw quilt is approximately 46โ€ x 59โ€.

Carpenter’s Star

Image Credit: SewCanShe.com

This free quilt pattern with half-square triangles might become your all-time favorite. This particular quilt finishes at 41โ€ x 57โ€, which is a lap or smallish throw-size quilt. 

Scrappy HST

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Use fabric scraps to sew a beautiful quilt with my free half-square triangle quilt pattern thatโ€™s perfect for a lap quilt or baby quilt! This easy quilt pattern is perfect for a beginner or anyone who wants a fun weekend quilting project.

Nine Patch

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew an easy Nine Patch Lap Quilt using my free 9-patch quilt block pattern! Let me teach you my fast and easy strip piecing method for sewing multiple nine patch blocks at once. I love a good shortcut!

Ohio Stars and Ladders

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a beautiful Ohio Star and Jacobโ€™s Ladder Quilt Pattern with just 3 yards of fabric! This Stars and Ladders Pattern is a 46โ€ x 58โ€ lap quilt or throw quilt pattern with 12โ€ quilt blocks.

Chunky Star

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This free quilt pattern is super easy to sew and you will love how it will make one yard of your favorite fabric really shine next to a lighter fabric and a darker fabric! With careful cutting, three yards will be enough fabric for the quilt top and double fold binding. Youโ€™ll need more fabric for the quilt backing. This finishes at 51โ€ x 51โ€.

XOXO Kisses and Hugs

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The free XOXO 3 yard quilt pattern would make a darling baby quilt, Valentineโ€™s wall hanging, or cuddly lap quilt. This XOXO hugs and kisses design finishes at 47โ€ x 47โ€. 

Candy Corn Therapy

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Does this design reminded you of Candy Corn? Itโ€™s a fall quilt for me, but it doesnโ€™t have to be. Iโ€™m sure it would make a fabulous lap quilt for any season; though I do love candy corn. Check out the free quilt pattern and tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe so I can see what prints you used!

Chandelier

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

This fabulous quilt design is so popular, but I couldnโ€™t find a single pattern for a 3 yard Chandelier quiltโ€ฆ until now! I had so much fun designing a Chandelier quilt for you that only takes 3 yards of fabric.

Ma-Maison

Photo credit: Cheryl Brickey for Moda Bake Shop Blog

You can make this nice sized lap quilt using just one jelly roll.  This is a simple, beginner friendly quilt pattern that contains almost no seams to match. Its finished size is 48″ x 56″.

Jelly Roll Strip

Photo credit: See Kate Sew

This easy jelly roll quilt comes together in just an afternoon. It uses one jelly roll bundle and one coordinating fabric.

Simple Science Test Tubes

https://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2017/08/test-tubes-quilt-tutorial.html 45x69 large lap, throw
Photo credit: Heidi Staples / Fabric Mutt

This test tube quilt pattern is super easy and comes together so quickly. Pick some perfect fabric for the liquid and I’m sure you’ll be so pleased with the results! This large lap quilt finishes at 45″ x 69″.

Prairie Points Pinwheel 3D

Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

The 3D blocks of this cool pinwheel lap quilt provide unique tactile elements. And the technique is quick and simple! You will also learn a really great sewing machine tip for sewing through bulky layers that you can use on any sewing project!

Bear’s Paw

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a classic Bearโ€™s Paw Quilt Pattern with just 3 yards of fabric! This particular quilt finishes at 52โ€ x 52โ€, which is a large lap-size quilt. Youโ€™ll have enough fabric to finish the quilt top, including 9 large blocks and 2 borders. More fabric is required for the binding and quilt back.

Sew Happy Together

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew an adorable quilt with three-dimensional prairie points in the border! This free lap quilt pattern teaches how to make prairie points and sew easy 9-patch blocks and snowball blocks. If you prefer, you can sew a two-dimensional border with flying geese instead of prairie points (instructions included).

Dutchman’s Puzzle

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

This darling free quilt pattern uses the Dutchman puzzle quilt block to make a 47โ€ x 59โ€ lap quilt with 12โ€ quilt blocks. Itโ€™s perfect for snuggling on the couch or donating to Project Linus or another worthy organization.

Jelly Roll Twirl

Photo credit: fatquartershop.com

This quilt pattern offers three different sizes to choose from; you can make a throw, lap, or twin size quilt. There is also a shortcut for this pattern. I love shortcuts!

Easy Baby Jelly Roll

Photo credit: Amy Smart / Diary of a Quilter

Using this jelly roll quilt pattern you can create two quick and easy, scrappy lap or baby quilts, each measuring 36″ x 36″.

Swedish Heart

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Snuggle up with someone you love this winter with a beautiful Swedish Woven Heart Quilt. This free woven heart quilt block and throw quilt pattern is suitable for a beginner quilter. It would look lovely draped across your couch or make a treasured gift for someone you love. The finished quilt is approximately 57โ€ x 74โ€ which makes a throw or large lap quilt.

Say Cheese

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a darling lap quilt with antique cameras and hearts using easy applique! This Say Cheese quilt perfect for your favorite photographer.

Aunt Dinah

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

Aunt Dinah is a 54โ€ x 54โ€ lap quilt pattern that showcases Aunt Dinah Quilt Blocks mixed with some Irish Chain Quilt Blocks to really make Aunt Dinah sparkle!

Pretty Pictures

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The Pretty Pictures lap quilt is your solution to panel fabrics! Stitch together this adorable quilt that mixes easy appliquรฉ and basic piecing to make each adorable picture stand out.

Child’s Play

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew an easy and beautiful lap quilt with half square triangles. You can use just two different fabrics or mix it up with lots of different scraps like I did.

Dream House

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This easy quilt pattern uses a โ€˜Dream Houseโ€™ collage quilt block to make a large 49 1/2โ€ x 59โ€ lap quilt with 9 1/2โ€ quilt blocks.

Twin Star

Photo credit: sewCanShe.com

Twin Star is a generous lap quilt pattern at 47โ€ x 59โ€ that showcases Twin Star Quilt Blocks mixed with uneven nine patch blocks to really make the Twin Stars shine!

Splendor

Photo Credit: SewCanShe.com

If you have 3 one yard cuts of fabric in your stash and just a day or so to make a quilt, this is exactly the quilt pattern you need. Splendor is a 3 yard lap quilt pattern that features Four Crown Quilt Blocks and Flower Patch Quilt Blocks.

Squared2 Quilt

Photo credit: SuzyQuilts.com

This quilt is as easy as it is beautiful. The free pattern is available from Suzy Quilts with everything you need to sew a darling quilt! It finishes at 58″ square.

Scrappy Receipt Roll

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew the scrappiest quilt ever using your smallest scraps and a roll of calculator receipt paper! I first saw this idea on Pinterest and I didnโ€™t believe it could be done until I tried it myself.

Charm Square Blossoms

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This free quilt pattern uses a charm square bundle of fabric to make a fast and easy lap quilt. Small quilts like this can also be used as wall hangings, table toppers, and baby quilts.

Peace for Ukraine

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

I designed this beautiful sunflower quilt to show support to Ukraine and share with a refugee family! It features large 12โ€ blocks with sunflowers (the national flower of Ukraine) and doves to represent our wish for peace. The Peace for Ukraine finished quilt size is 60โ€™โ€™ x 60โ€™โ€™ which is a nice throw or a large lap quilt.

Charm Poppy

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Sew a an adorable large lap quilt using a charm bundle of your favorite cotton quilting fabrics! Youโ€™ll only need one charm pack of 5โ€ squares, so itโ€™s easy on the budget and perfect for a beginner quilter. The Charm Poppy finished quilt size is approximately 54โ€™โ€™ x 50โ€™โ€™.

Pastels with Orange Peel

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

The easy Orange Peel Quilt Block is warm and delightful. Itโ€™s a classic block that can be sewn with curved seams, but I used applique instead! Sew it together in whatever size you choose.

Choose Joy Block of the Month

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

This beautiful quilt with classic blocks used in a fresh modern way finishes at approximately 60โ€™โ€™ x 60โ€™โ€™ so itโ€™s perfect as a generous lap quilt or wall hanging.

Adalee’s Garden

Photo credit: Red Rooster Fabrics / by Sandy Lynam Cloughโ„ข / Designed by Christine Van Buskirk

This precious lap quilt finishes at 55″ square. You will love how the Shoofly Blocks come together to frame the sweet panels in this design by Christine Van Buskirk.

More from SewCanShe:

Photo credit: Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock.

85 Scrappy Free Sewing Patterns to Bust Your Stash of Scraps

Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

65 Cute and Cozy Throw Quilt Patterns – All Free!

https://sewcanshe.com/easy-signature-cross-quilt-pattern-perfect-for-accuquilt-and-rotary-cutting/ 56x68 throw
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

35 Handmade Gifts to Start Sewing Now- Free Patterns and Tutorials!

https://www.annwoodhandmade.com/the-worlds-sweetest-needle-book-a-free-sewing-pattern/
Photo credit: Ann Wood

45 Easy Peasy Sewing Patterns – Beginners Start Here!

https://sewcanshe.com/2014-8-23-rope-handled-tote-easy-tutorial/
Photo credit: SewCanShe.com

Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. ๐Ÿ™‚