To me, a 60 x 70 quilt is a perfect lap size quilt, though a 50 x 60 might be sufficient for some people. So if the pattern you like contains 8" or 10" blocks, just sew less rows. For example: If the pattern calls for 8" blocks with 8 blocks across and 9 down. (64" x 72") You can in most cases just leave off one row on the width and one row on the length (sew together 7 blocks across and 8 blocks down instead, giving you a 56" x 64" quilt. You can make it smaller still by reducing two rows on your width and two on the length as well. But you should also take into consideration the border on the quilt if you will be adding one. (not always nec.) Just make sure to select a rectangular quilt as opposed to a square one. Square quilts often have an all over pattern that is not conducive to shortening.
By the way, this is also a way of enlarging a quilt pattern - making your quilt bigger as well ( by adding more rows or borders)
Last edited by Schill93; 06-05-2022 at 04:39 PM.