Morning All!
I have this 'brainy" idea that I would like to make a quilt for each of my family for Xmas...this year...lol...yea right..sounds good doesnt it??
I thought the size could be just a lap size for watching tv. Does anyone have any ideas of what a good size that would be?? Also, maybe where I could find some patterns? I have only made a few baby quilts and one quilt for graduation and they are mostly with the larger squares. The graduation one was called I think A trip around the world?? I was hoping to make each person a different design.
Thanks for your help...you are all the best!!!

:)

Melinda

I think that the size all depends on you, I've seen them as small as 37 inches square and up, almost to a twin size. There's tons of free quilt patterns on the net, just google and pick what you want. When you're done, we'd love to see pictures.

I would try quilterscache

the ones with just 1 dot are the easy ones.


www.quilterscache.com


the patterns are free.

What I usually do when making a lap quilt is figure out HOW the person sits watching tv or reading a book. If they are stretched out on say like a recliner, you want it a bit long to cover their legs, so something maybe 45x50 would be a good size. If they curl up, then maybe 45x45 would be good. If you have tile in your house, a way to "measure" so you don't have to take out your measuring stick...most squares are 12x12, so you can pretty much figure it out that way. I count the tiles on my floor ALL the time when figuring out how big I want to make a quilt.

Patterns can be found all over the internet. Just search for Free Quilt Patterns on Google.

I make lap- or throw-sized quilts 48" x 48" just because that's 4 blocks by 4 blocks if I'm using a 12" block, and it makes the math easy :)

Jan

These answers are PERFECT...and quick too!!
Thanks so much ladies!!!!!


Melinda

I like 45x60 myself.

For our hospitalized veterans, we are making quilts that range from 48 to 54 inches wide and six feet long.
It is big enough to cover them while reclining, and when folded in half, works in a wheelchair quite nicely.

I like the 48 X 62inch also...works for sitting or laying down :D

People ask me "how large will your quilt be?" and I always answer that it will be what it will be. I don't sew to a size, rather, I let the blocks determine the layout/size and I adjust the borders to my whim. For me, it's more about proportion than final measurements.

A lot depends on the size of the recipient.

For an adult, I like it to be no less than 60" in length or it feels too small. If one wants to save fabric, the width can be equal to the backing fabric width (42-45").

I like Lucky Stars, by Atkinson Designs. It goes together quickly and looks more complicated than it is. You don't have to cut triangles. You cut as squares and rectangles, sew on the diagonal and trim off the extra. I've made it in several different color schemes and it looks great! I usually make it with 9 blocks for a baby quilt, or 12 blocks for a lap quilt. Each block is 15". I actaully have a queen size cut out and partially pieced for myself. But I keep putting it aside to make quilts for gifts. I'm sure I'll get back to it again someday soon. I did a lap quilt in just a few nights, after working 9 hours a day. I'll try to attach a few pics.

45x60 sounds good to me. What a great idea. I'm sure everyone will love it.

I like the way katier825 makes her star point stay way AWAY from the edges so she can just whiz away sewing the blocks together without worrying about cutting off points! That quilt must go together FAST :!:


I vote for 48 X 60 - gives plenty of room to wrap an adult up in on a chilly night - or to snuggle up with a DG. I've used fleece as a backing instead of 3 layers, but you have to baste carefully, because fleece stretches. I like spray basting for that reason - and I pin along the edges.

That's the great part about this pattern! When you're done sewing the stars together, you trim the square down to 9.5 inches, which is about 3/4 inch from the points. Then you sew the rectangles to the squares, flip the alternate blocks. When you sew the blocks together, there are only 4 intersections to match on a 9 block quilt!

love these quilts....so happy.... :D

My lap quilts are usualy a bit smaller than a twin size, but being a lap quilt you can make them any size you want..some times I will also judge the body type of the person..do I make it long and thinner, or shorter and wider..

I like doing the "Turning 20" pattern books. There is a variety of patterns and depending the fabric you use the quilts look different......

The quickest quilt top for me to make is the Disappearing 9 Patch or D9P.

Lap size before borders is 32 X 48. I can make one of these in less than 2 hrs.

As for size, I like a finished size of 45 X 60 up to 48 X 72 (Hubby likes his toes covered!)

Will try to attach pics of a D9P.