Lyla Lindsey
A quillow is a quilt with a reversible pocket that can be folded into itself to become a pillow. They are fun, easy to make, and make great gifts. To make a quillow, you will need some basic sewing skills and a few yards of soft fabric. First, trim your fabric to the desired size, sew the pieces together, and add a pillow cover/pocket to the back of the quilt. Then, simply follow the steps to fold your quilt into a quillow. Quillows can be made in any size and are perfect for sleepovers, long trips, or as a couch throw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a quillow? | A cross between a quilt and a pillow. |
| How to make a quillow? | Sew two pieces of fabric together, add a pillow section, and reverse the pocket opening to the top. |
| Materials needed | Fabric, sewing supplies (sewing machine, thread, scissors, pins), batting/wadding, fleece. |
| Fabric size | For a small quillow: 2 yards for the top and 2 yards for the back. For an adult-sized blanket: 2 pieces of fabric that are 2 yards long and 60 inches wide, plus 0.5 yards for the pillow. |
| Pillow cover size | Divide the width of the quilt by 3, then divide the height by 4. Add 1 inch to both measurements for seam allowance. |
| Folding instructions | Fold each long side of the quilt towards the centre, then fold the top end down to meet the bottom. Lift the pocket open and pull each corner into the centre of the pocket. |
| Variations and tips | Use waterproof fabric for picnics, add a handle, choose a theme (e.g., bugs or autumn), make it wheelchair-shaped. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing fabric and batting
When making a quillow, you will need two pieces of fabric for the top and bottom, two pieces for the pillow, and batting. You can make a quillow from any type of fabric, but fleece is a popular choice as it is warm and does not need hemming. You can choose matching fabric for both sides, or you can mix patterns and types of fabric for the bottom and top. Consider who the quillow is for and how it will be used. For example, if it is for a baseball fan, you might choose a pattern with bats and mitts or the logo of their favourite team. If it is for a dog lover, you might opt for a pattern of paw prints. If the quillow is for a baby, you could add extra outside pockets for baby supplies, and use it as a changing pad or play mat. If you plan to use your quillow for picnics, consider making one side of the blanket waterproof with either waterproof fabric or a heavy vinyl shower curtain.
The batting is the insulation or padding you layer between the top and bottom pieces of fabric. It is sometimes called wadding. You will need enough to line the pocket and the quilt. Look for a high-quality batting that won't separate and isn't too thick, or you may have trouble folding your quilt into the pocket. Cotton batting is a popular choice because it is breathable and ages well, plus it's machine washable. If you're looking for cotton batting with a little more "poof", look for one with scrim or a cotton/polyester blend. You can also use fluffy polyester batting. Get the same size batting as your fabric, or bigger—you will trim it down.
You will need two yards of fabric for the top and two yards for the back. For the pillow, you will need two 18" squares, one for each side. If you are making a small quillow, you will also need a crib-size batting. For a larger quillow, you will need two pieces of fabric that are 2 yards (1.8 m) long and 60 inches (150 cm) in width, plus an additional 1⁄2 yard (0.5 m) for the pillow.
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Cutting and measuring
To make a quillow, you will need to cut and measure your fabric and batting.
First, cut off the selvage edges of your fabric. Next, cut off 16 inches off the end of each fabric lengthwise. From these 16-inch-long strips, measure and cut two 16-inch square pieces. These will be your pillow pocket. Your remaining fabric should measure around 40-42 inches wide by 56 inches long. This will be your blanket.
For the pillow pocket, cut two pieces of fabric (or fleece) and one piece of batting about 18 1/2” square. It can be smaller if your blanket is smaller, as your pocket should be about 1/3 of the width of the quilt or blanket you are using.
If you are unsure about the dimensions of the pillow pocket, find the measurement for 1/4 of the length of the main blanket, then add 1-2 inches. Then find 1/3 of the width of the main blanket and add 1-2 inches.
For a baby quillow, you can downsize as desired, making the pillow section 1/3 of the total width of the quilt.
For the quilt, cut a 45" x 72" piece (or pieced into blocks) of fabric for the top and bottom of the quilt, and a 45" x 72" piece of thin batting.
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Sewing the quilt
To make a quillow, you will need two pieces of fabric for the top and bottom, batting or wadding, and a separate piece of fabric for the pillow pocket. You can choose matching fabric for both sides, or mix patterns and types of fabric for the bottom and top. For a standard-sized quillow, each piece of fabric should be 2 yards long and 60 inches wide. If you are using cotton batting, get the same size as your fabric or bigger—you will trim it down later.
Once you have your fabric and batting, lay the fabric down with the right sides touching each other. Then, lay the batting on top of the two pieces of fabric, pin all three layers together, and stitch them together, leaving a 12-inch opening. Next, flip the fabric right side out and create the pillow pocket. Pin the pocket square of wadding to one piece of pocket material, with the pocket material facing down, and the other piece of pocket material facing up on top of the wadding. Sew around the outside edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, trim any excess material and corners, and then slip stitch the opening closed.
Now you are ready to attach the pocket to the quilt. Place the pocket face down on the material used for the outside of the quillow, matching the centres. Pin the pocket along the three edges to be sewn and in the centre to keep it in place. Stitch as close to the edge as possible along the first side, across the top, and then down the other side. Remember to backstitch at the start and end. Quilt two rows of stitching from the edge of the pocket to three-quarters of the way down the quilt. This will keep the wadding in place and also serve as a guide when folding the quilt into the pocket.
Finally, place the pillow cover on the bottom back of the quilt, centred in the middle and up away from the binding. Pin the edges to the quilt and sew the sides and the bottom wide edge to the quilt, but do not sew the top! Keep in mind that the fabric facing the quilt back will be visible when the quilt is folded into a quillow.
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Adding the pillow pocket
To add the pillow pocket, you will need to first decide on the size of your quillow. For a small quillow, you will need an 18" square for the right side of the pillow and another 18" square for the wrong side. If you are using fleece, you will need a 60" x 72" piece of fleece for the body of the quillow and a scrap piece of fleece for the pocket.
Once you have your fabric, trim it to the desired size and lay the fabric down, with the right sides touching each other. Place the batting on top and pin all three layers together. Stitch them together, leaving a 12-inch opening. Then, flip the fabric right side out and create the pillow pocket. Pin the pocket to the main piece of fabric and sew it together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Now you can sew the pillow pocket to the quilt. Place the pillow cover on the bottom back of the quilt, centred in the middle and away from the binding. Pin the edges to the quilt and sew the sides and bottom wide edge to the quilt, leaving the top unsewn. The fabric facing the quilt back will be visible, so choose a fabric that complements your quilt design.
If you want to add a handle to your quillow, do so before sewing the pillow to the quilt. Sew the handle to the bottom edge of the pillow cover and then sew the bottom of the pillow cover to the quilt, ensuring that the handles are securely attached.
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Folding the quillow
Now that you've sewn your pillow pocket, it's time to fold your quilt into a quillow! Lay the quilt right-side up, with the pillow cover at the bottom. Fold one of the long sides of the quilt towards the centre, until you can see the edge of the pillow cover at the fold. Repeat this step with the other side. Now, fold the quilt down from the top to the bottom four times, with the last fold resting on top of the pillow pocket.
The next part might take some practice, but it will become easier with time. Flip the folded quilt so that the pocket is facing you, and turn the pocket inside out, pushing the quilt into the pocket as you turn it inside out. You now have a pillow!
If you want to fold the quillow from the pillow form back into a quilt, simply reach into the pocket and grab a corner, pulling the quilt out of the pocket. Repeat this step for the other corner, and flatten out the quilt.
Alternatively, you can try this method: lay the quillow pocket-side down and fold one length of the quillow inwards towards the centre (about one-third of the quillow). Fold the other side inwards towards the centre as well. Fold the top end down to meet the bottom, essentially folding it in half. Bring the new top down towards the bottom, and you've folded your quillow! To turn it back into a quilt, simply lift the pocket open, reach in, and grab a corner. Pull the quilt out of the pocket, and repeat for the other corner. Flatten out the quilt, and you're done!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need 2 yards of fabric for the top and 2 yards for the back, an 18" square for both sides of the pillow, and a crib-size batting. You will also need sewing scissors, straight pins, a sewing machine, and matching/contrasting thread.
First, figure out how large your pillow cover material needs to be: Divide the width of the quilt by 3 to get the width of your finished pillow cover. Then, divide the height of the quilt by 4 to get the height of your finished pillow cover. Add one inch to both measurements to account for the seam allowance.
Place the pillow cover on the bottom back of the quilt, centred in the middle and away from the binding. Pin the edges to the quilt and sew the sides and the bottom wide edge, but do not sew the top! Keep in mind that the pillow cover fabric facing up will not be visible once the quilt is folded into a quillow.
Lay the quilt right side up, with the pillow cover at the bottom. Fold one of the long sides of the quilt towards the centre until you see the edge of the pillow cover at the fold. Repeat with the other side. Fold the quilt down from the top to the bottom four times, with the last fold resting on top of the pillow pocket. Flip the folded quilt over so the pocket is facing you, and turn the pocket inside out, pushing the quilt into the pocket.
