75 Beautiful Lap Quilts to Snuggle and Love: Free Patterns!

Discover the joy of making a lap quilt! They’re wonderful projects for quilters of all abilities, offering a quick and easy way to create something beautiful. Plus, you won’t need a lot of fabric or a fancy machine!

Be sure to bookmark this post and always have inspiration at your fingertips. Lap quilts typically range from 36″ to 48″ wide and 48″ to 60″ long. There is lots of wiggle room (pun intended) and some patterns are easy to adjust if you like. Need ideas for using a lap quilt? You can donate it to a charity, keep in the car for road trips, or even display it as wall art!

Why A Lap Quilt?

Just in case you’re curious, here are a few of my favorite reasons to sew lap quilts…

• You can finish them in a quickly
• You can practice without waste
• You can master the basics affordably
• You can easily quilt on your domestic machine
• You can gift them as thoughtful presents
• You can donate them to deserving charities

I’m sure you can come up with even more reasons that you love these quilts too, but let’s get going because you didn’t come here to chat.

Half Square Triangle Star

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 (HST’s) at one time.

Fat Quarter Fancy

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 52” square – made up of 36 blocks that are 8 1/2” (finished). That’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.

Hello Neighbor!

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 1/2” tall x 8” wide after sewing. The finished size of this throw quilt is approximately 46” x 59”.

Quarter Log Cabins

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.

Baby Heart Log Cabin

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!

Starry Log Cabin

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

Charm Poppy

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

Scrappy Log Cabin

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!

Charm Square Blossoms

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.

Mosaic Tiles

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

Fat Quarter Four Patch (any size)

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

Rag Quilt

Rag quilts are fast, fun to make, and so cozy! And contrary to what the ‘quilt police’ might tell you, you can use just about any fabric too. One more point from the ‘quilt police’ is that 56″ x 63″ is a throw size, not a lap size. But this is one quilt that you can easily resize; just add or take away squares.

Medallion Huddle

The Huddle Quilt pattern is a fast and easy medallion quilt pattern that’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.

Diamond in a Square

Even though this quilt pattern has just one block – the diamond in a square or economy block – 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″.

Bow Tie Baby

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

Spaceship

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 46” x 46”.

Daydreams

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.

Amish Star

The Amish Star Quilt Pattern is a 50” x 50” 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.

Simple Tied Quilt

You can sew an easy tied quilt like this with any quilt top (or fabric), some flannel fabric for the back, and yarn or embroidery thread to tie it. If you want to add batting and make the blanket thicker, I’ll tell you where to do that.

Rail Fence

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 54” x 60” lap quilt pattern.

Carpenter’s Star

The Carpenter’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 Carpenter’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

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, it’s still a beautiful way to combine applique and piecing together with your favorite fabrics to make a 50’’ square quilt.

Four Patch

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.

Panel Quilt (French Door)

Watch the video tutorial to see how to sew this beautiful French Door lap quilt from JordanFabrics.com. It’s easier than you think, and so pretty!

Scrappy Patchwork Flying Geese

Use this free pattern to go through your stash! You can easily make this quilt whatever size you prefer. Check out Quilty Love for inspiration and instructions to make your own.

Pretty Pastels Log Cabin

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

This spool quilt pattern is unique because it may appear to have two different blocks that you have to learn… 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

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

Autumn Woods

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

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

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

There are so many gorgeous quilts on the Tilda website, Tilda Fabrics. This quilt finishes at 56½” x 74½”, but because the pattern repeats so often it would be easy to make it a lap size.

Bright Stretched Stars

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

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

Sentimental Stars

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.

Fast Four Patch

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

Use my free lap quilt pattern to make a small Christmas quilt with a pieced star and the words ‘Oh holy night…’ in appliqué letters. The finished size of this quilt is 36” x 36”, so it would make a sweet baby quilt too.

QAYG

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

Here’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 53’’ x 51’’.

Panel Quilt

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

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

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!

Carpenter’s Star

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

Scrappy HST

Use fabric scraps to sew a beautiful quilt with my free half-square triangle quilt pattern that’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

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

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

Chunky Star

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. You’ll need more fabric for the quilt backing. This finishes at 51” x 51”.

XOXO Kisses and Hugs

The free XOXO 3 yard quilt pattern would make a darling baby quilt, Valentine’s wall hanging, or cuddly lap quilt. This XOXO hugs and kisses design finishes at 47” x 47”. 

Candy Corn Therapy

Does this design reminded you of Candy Corn? It’s a fall quilt for me, but it doesn’t have to be. I’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

This fabulous quilt design is so popular, but I couldn’t find a single pattern for a 3 yard Chandelier quilt… until now! I had so much fun designing a Chandelier quilt for you that only takes 3 yards of fabric.

Ma-Maison

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

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

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

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

Sew a classic Bear’s Paw Quilt Pattern with just 3 yards of fabric! This particular quilt finishes at 52” x 52”, which is a large lap-size quilt. You’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

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

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

Jelly Roll Twirl

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

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

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 57” x 74” which makes a throw or large lap quilt.

Say Cheese

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

Aunt Dinah

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

Pretty Pictures

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

Child’s Play

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

This easy quilt pattern uses a ‘Dream House’ collage quilt block to make a large 49 1/2” x 59” lap quilt with 9 1/2” quilt blocks.

Twin Star

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

Splendor

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.

Fussy Cut Stars

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.

Squared² Quilt

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

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 didn’t believe it could be done until I tried it myself.

Peace for Ukraine

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

Pastels with Orange Peel

The easy Orange Peel Quilt Block is warm and delightful. It’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

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

Adalee’s Garden

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.

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