Let’s suppose you are an adult who loves a young child. You want to make a quilt that has the potential to grace this child’s bed for the long haul–potentially all the way through college. Maybe you have a little bit of quilting experience, but you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Don’t worry! We’ve got you!

First, it helps to know what is the size of a twin size quilt? Generally, a twin quilt is 70” x 90” and an extra-long twin (the size needed for college dorm beds) is 70” by 95” overall. When you begin checking the finished sizes of quilt patterns, you will rarely find one that is exactly these dimensions. You can lengthen a quilt by adding a row or adjust the overall measurements by adding or changing the sizes of borders or sashings. However, as you consider twin bed quilt patterns, look for those that are similar to the measurements noted above or are easy to adjust.

The next thing to think about as you peruse twin size quilt patterns is the motif of the quilt. If you want the quilt to stay on the bed through adolescence, you might want to avoid teddy bears, dinosaurs, dump trucks, and princesses–as cute as they are. It might not even be wise to choose sports themes. Who could know if a 5-year-old will be interested in soccer at age 15? Twin quilt patterns that kids don’t outgrow are those that use interesting geometric shapes and patterns. Combine eye-catching patterns with a pleasing palette of colors and you have a quilt that will stand the test of time!

Before you dive in, it would be wise to learn a few tricks that answer the question how do you make a quilt for a twin bed? Missouri Star has lots of helpful tutorials. Here are just a few featuring twin quilt patterns for beginners to help you get started.

The Building Blocks Quilt pattern is one of the easy twin size quilt patterns offered by Missouri Star. The finished size of this quilt is 69” x 78” when it is made with one package of 10” precut squares. Adding an extra row of blocks to the quilt would be no problem–just be sure to adjust the fabric requirements. This quilt is easy-peasy to assemble. Jenny shows you how in the tutorial below.

Another easy twin quilt pattern is Missouri Star’s Town Square Quilt pattern. The finished size of this quilt is 68” x 86”. It is constructed of 2.5” strips, 1¾ yards of fabric, and 1¼ yards for an outer border. Of course any colors could be chosen for this twin size quilt pattern, but the model quilt is shown in jewel tones and black. The colors are striking. They are also colors that would hold up well to the abuse of a dorm room where the bed becomes a seating and study space for visitors as well as the occupants of the room. You can watch Jenny construct a block of this quilt in the tutorial video below.

A third example of simple twin quilt patterns designed by Missouri Star is the Square Dance Quilt pattern. This quilt has wonderful movement; 5” squares seem to “dance” across the rows. You could have lots of fun choosing fabrics for this pattern! It is constructed of one package of 5” squares and one roll of 2.5” strips along with background and border fabrics. The finished size is 67.5” x 90.5”. This quilt also has a video to help you learn how to whiz it together. Watch it below!

Choosing an “easy” twin quilt pattern means that there are some simple tricks for stitching the blocks together. It does not mean the finished quilt is less stunning. Selecting a pattern well-matched to your ability level allows you to create a well-constructed quilt that will tolerate a lifetime of use. When the quilt you made graduates from college and becomes a picnic blanket or gets hauled along on camping trips, you can feel satisfied that you created a much-loved quilt for that much-loved child!