A Quillow Pillow

Christmas is coming and I was thinking about last year. My husband and I did not know what to do for the grandkids, we have 15, and I got the idea of making all of them except(the babies) quillows. You may ask "What is a quillow?"

A Quillow is a pillow that opens up into a lap quilt. They are great for sleepovers, cold nights watching TV or to keep in the car for emergencies.

I want to share the directions with you so maybe you can give quillows this year.

To start your quillow you need to decide on the size. I made the pillow squares about 16" plus 1/2" seam allowance all around.. You will need either a "cheater pillow square" or a fabric square the right size plus 1/2" seam allowance. (A cheater square is the pre-printed pillow squares that have a picture on them)

You can use the same fabrics that you use for the rest of the quilt for the square. If you use the cheater pillow square you will need to cut a piece of fabric the same size as the square, if not, you will need two pieces of fabric cut into the square.

For your quillowyou will need:

your square of fabric and pillow square
Batting the same size as the square
about 2 yards EACH of two different, coordinating fabrics
2 yards of batting
embroidery thread to match

To Make:

1. Place batting on flat surface.
2. Place facing square RIGHT SIDE UP on batting.
3. Place cheater square or front piece of fabric RIGHT SIDE DOWN on top of 1st fabric
   
4. Pin the fabric to the batting.
5. Keeping the batting side down begin sewing and sew a 1/2" seam all around the square, leaving an opening on one end (sew 3 sides, leaving bottom opened)
   
6. Trim any uneven edges.
7. Reach into the opening between the two fabric layers and pull the layers right side out, so that the batting is in between.
8. Gently push out the corner points.
9. Make some decorative stitches or tie the square to keep batting from slipping.

Sewing the quilt:

1. Attach pillow square to one piece of the fabric. see diagram below for placement. Be sure to put the open end of pillow on the seam allowance of the quilt.
2. Sew pillow on three sides, leaving the top part of pillow open. (This is the part that is opposite the quilt seam)
3. Now pin the batting to the wrong side of the piece of fabric WITHOUT the pillow sewn to it.
4. Pin the top with the pillow right side down on the other fabric (not the batting). (The fabrics have right sides facing each other, with the batting on the wrong side of the piece without the pillow.)
5. Sew around all four sides, leaving an opening of about 12 or so inches to turn it.
6. Turn the quilt right side out and push out the corners.
7. Press the seams
   
8. Hand sew the opening closed.

It should now look like this:

---------------------------------------------------Body of Quilt
|                                                   |
|                                                   |
|                                       ------------Pillow Pocket
|                                                   |
|                           Top of Quilt Opening of |
|                                     Pillow Pocket |
|                                        -----------|
|                                                   |
|                                                   |
|---------------------------------------------------|

You now need to tie the quilt part, or else machine stitch a design on the quilt so that the batting will stay in place and you are done!

To make a different size:

For larger or smaller follow this simple formula:
Width is equal to finished pillow width x 2-1/2.
Example: finished pillow width will be 14" x 2-1/2 equals a 35" width. (this is the size I made the smaller kids)
Length is equal to the finished pillow width x 4.
Example: finished pillow width will be 14" x 4 equals a 56" length.

Now, cuddle up with your quillow and tuck your feet into the pillow opening and stay warm during the cold winter!

To fold your quillow, go here. Then back to Rocks in My Dryer for more works for me ideas!