Difference Between Quilt and Lap Quilt

Custom personalized photo lap quilt covers the top of a queen size bed. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

“…love your quilts. What is the difference between a regular size quilt and a lap quilt?” — Suzanne

Difference Between Quilt and Lap Quilt

Hi Suzanne,

Handmade quilts come in a wide range of sizes, especially the vintage quilts that recycled clothing and other household items. At that time, handmade quilts were made without regard to any standard sizing.

Today’s handmade quilts do have some standards. Standard full quilts are 86 inches by 86 inches; queen size quilts, the most sold size, is 90 inches by 90 inches. We make our custom handmade quilts with a little more mattress cover at 95 inches by 95 inches. By comparison, a standard lap quilt is 50 inches by 60 inches, a smaller size that can still feature the full quilt design.

Lap quilts are wonderful to curl up in because they are just the right size to cover legs and still not have to wrestle a ton of fabric to get out of it.

Lap quilts also make excellent quilted wall hangings because they can easily have tabs added to the back. Some are manufactured with the tabs, others may need a quilt hangar to turn them into a wall hanging.

This all cotton Cat Mischief Lap Quilt would make a charming quilted wall hanging. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Wall hangings are also practical, then can help insulate a cold room wall.

If you are a beginning quilter, it will be better to start by making a lap quilt as you learn the basic quilting principles. You will finish this project sooner than a full size quilt and hopefully be excited enough to tackle your next one.

I have lap quilts over the back of sofas and easy chairs, they make an area inviting!

Charlotte