How to Make a Quillow

Hello! Are you looking for a simple baby quilt that will last well beyond the baby years? Then I highly recommend making a Quillow, which is a quilt that can be folded into a pillow. I made this one recently for my husband's co-worker who is having a baby.

This also makes a great gift for friends who travel because it is just large enough for a lap and very portable. I made them for my own kids and they used theirs well into their teens! 

This fun and simple quilt uses only 4 ½ yards of fabric and is super easy to make because there is very little piecing.  The hardest part for me is getting the batting, backing, and front to all line up to sew them together.

To make the quillow, just follow these instructions:

Supplies:

• 8 Fat Quarters OR 4 Fabrics at ½ Yard Each 
• 2 Yards Backing Fabric
• ½ Yard Pocket Fabric
• Batting (42” x 70”)

Cut

• Top Fabrics - If using ½ yards for top, cut each ½ yard into 2 fat quarters
• Backing Fabric - 42” x 70”
• Pocket Fabric - 2 - 18” x 18” squares

Make The Quilt

• Sew the 8 fat quarters into a top with 4 rows and 2 columns.
  • Sew with ¼” seam allowance
• Trim to 42” x 70”
• Place the quilt batting on a flat surface with the right side up.
• Lay the backing fabric on batting with the right side up.
• Place top on the backing fabric with the right side down.
• Sew around the edges of all the layers, leaving a 10” opening.
• Sew with ½” seam allowance
• Trim corners and uneven edges.
• Reach between the fabric layers and pull the body right side out, gently pushing the seams and corners.
• Sew the opening closed with a whip stitch.
• Add some quilting or tying to secure the layers.  You do not need a lot of quilting, just in the ditch will be fine.

Make the Pillow

• Place the quilt batting on a flat surface with the right side up.
• Lay the backing fabric on batting with the right side up.
• Place top on the backing fabric with the right side down.
• Sew around the edges of all the layers, leaving a 4” opening.
• Sew with ½” seam allowance
• Trim corners and uneven edges.
• Reach between the fabric layers and pull the pocket right side out, gently pushing the seams and corners.
• Sew the opening closed with a whip stitch.
• Quilt a simple shape on the pocket.

Add the Pocket to the Quilt

• Lay the quilt body on a flat surface with the back facing up.
• Center the pocket on the bottom of the quilt. Make sure the bottom of the pocket is flush with the bottom of the quilt.
• Sew the pocket along the sides and the bottom.  Do not sew the top!

Fold the Quillow

• Place the quillow on a flat surface with the pocket facing down.
• Fold the quilt into a trifold longways. Use the pocket sides to guide where the folds should be.
• Flip the pocket inside out so that the folded quilt is on the inside.
• Fold the quilt twice toward the pocket.
• Fold the quilt one more time and tuck the quilt into the pocket.

You can get a PDF of the pattern by signing up for my newsletter here: Quillow Pattern

You can also watch this video tutorial: