What is the Difference Between a Throw and Lap Quilt Pattern?

The difference between a throw and lap quilt comes down to the average size of the quilt and where it is used.

Many quilters believe that throw and lap quilts are synonymous and that might very well be true. Generally, throw and lap quilts are the same size and are used for the exact same thing. So, depending on who you ask there might not actually be a difference!

After talking with some of our readers on our active Facebook page and doing some research, however, we found that the difference between a throw and lap quilt comes down to the average size of the quilt and where it is used. Throw quilts are generally bigger than a lap quilt. Lap quilts are usually smaller and used in smaller spaces like a single chair or wheelchair.

Throw Quilts

Throw quilts are generally bigger than a lap quilt. You "throw" them over the back of the couch in order to have something cozy to snuggle under if the need arises. These are the types of quilts you keep tucked into your living room to share. They can be all sorts of sizes and are often more utilitarian than they are fancy. A throw quilt provides warmth but is not as bulky or as big as a bed quilt pattern. Throw quilts can be a perfect square or often come in a more rectangular shape.