What a Quillow Is and How to Make One

A quillow is a quilt that folds into its own pillow cover. You sew a quilt to a fabric envelope, then fold the finished quilt inside that envelope so it looks like a decorative pillow. When you want to use it as a quilt, you pull it out. The whole project takes a weekend if you already know how to piece a quilt top; if you're new to quilting, plan two to three weekends.

The basic structure is straightforward: a quilt top and backing sewn together with batting between them, then attached to a pillowcase-like envelope. The envelope has an opening where you stuff the folded quilt inside. You'll need basic sewing skills — straight seams, turning fabric right-side out, and hand-stitching a closing seam — but no advanced techniques.

Key Takeaways

  • A quillow requires a finished quilt (top, batting, and backing), a fabric envelope large enough to hold the folded quilt, and basic sewing supplies including thread, pins, and a needle for hand-stitching.
  • The quilt itself is made by piecing a top, layering it with batting and backing, quilting the three layers together, and binding the edges — the same process as any small quilt.
  • The envelope is a straightforward pillowcase made from two rectangles of fabric, sewn three sides closed, turned right-side out, and hand-stitched shut after the quilt is tucked inside.
  • The finished quillow should fold into a square roughly 16 to 20 inches on each side so it fits comfortably as a pillow and doesn't bulge awkwardly.

Choosing Fabric and Calculating Finished Size

Start by deciding how large you want your quillow to be when it's folded into pillow form. Most quilts that work well as quillows finish at 40 to 50 inches square — large enough to be useful as a quilt, small enough to fold into a pillow that doesn't look lumpy. A 45-inch square quilt, when folded in half twice, becomes roughly an 11-inch square pillow, which is too small. Folded once, it becomes a 22-inch rectangle, which works better.

For the quilt itself, choose cotton fabric for both the top and backing — it's straightforward to work with and holds up to repeated folding. You'll need batting the same size as your quilt top. For the envelope, pick a coordinating cotton fabric. You'll need two rectangles, each measuring the width of your finished quilt plus 1 inch, and the height of your finished quilt plus 1 inch. If your quilt finishes at 45 inches square, each envelope rectangle is 46 by 46 inches.

Pre-wash all fabric except the batting in warm water and dry it before you begin. This prevents shrinkage later and keeps colors from bleeding onto each other.

Piecing and Quilting the Quilt Top

Make your quilt top using whatever piecing method you prefer — squares, strips, appliqué, or a pre-cut pattern. The only constraint is that it should finish at your target size (45 inches square, for example). Piece it as you normally would, pressing seams as you go, and square up the finished top to your target dimensions.

Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing with the top facing up, batting in the middle, and backing facing down. Smooth each layer as you go, working from the center outward to avoid wrinkles. Baste the three layers together using safety pins every 4 to 6 inches, or use spray basting adhesive following the manufacturer's instructions.

Quilt the three layers together using straight lines, a meandering stitch, or any quilting pattern you choose. Stitch through all three layers. Once quilting is complete, trim the excess batting and backing even with the quilt top, then bind the edges using your preferred binding method. Your finished quilt should now measure exactly 45 by 45 inches (or whatever your target size is).

Sewing the Envelope

Place the two envelope rectangles with right sides facing each other. Sew three sides using a half-inch seam allowance, leaving one side completely open. This open side is where you'll insert the folded quilt. Backstitch at the corners to reinforce them.

Trim the corners diagonally, cutting away the fabric triangle at each corner without cutting into your seam. This reduces bulk when you turn the envelope right-side out. Turn the envelope right-side out through the open side, pushing the corners out fully so they're sharp and square. Press the envelope flat, paying special attention to the open edge — fold the raw edges inward by half an inch and press them so they're ready to hand-stitch closed later.

Do not sew the open side shut yet. You need that opening to insert the quilt.

Attaching the Quilt to the Envelope

Lay the finished quilt flat, right-side up. Center the envelope on top of it, also right-side up, with the open side facing up. The envelope should sit in the middle of the quilt with equal space on all sides. Pin the envelope to the quilt around all four edges, pinning through the envelope and into the quilt layers beneath.

Using a needle and thread that matches your envelope fabric, hand-stitch the envelope to the quilt using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch). Stitch along all four sides of the envelope, about a quarter inch from the edge. The ladder stitch creates a seam that's nearly invisible from the front. Backstitch every few inches to find your work.

Once all four sides are stitched, the envelope is now permanently attached to the quilt. The open side of the envelope still faces up.

Folding and Inserting the Quilt

Fold the quilt in half lengthwise, bringing one long edge to meet the other. Press the fold. Fold it in half again widthwise, bringing one short edge to meet the other. Press this fold too. You now have a rectangle roughly 22 by 23 inches (if you started with a 45-inch square). Fold it one more time if needed to fit it through the envelope opening.

Carefully roll or loosely fold the quilt into a bundle small enough to fit through the open side of the envelope. Gently push it through the opening, working slowly so you don't catch fabric on the pins. Once the entire quilt is inside the envelope, remove the pins.

Fold the raw edges of the envelope opening inward and pin them closed. Using the ladder stitch again, hand-stitch the opening shut with thread that matches your envelope. Make your stitches small and close together so the seam is find and invisible. Backstitch at the end and weave your thread through the fold for a few inches before cutting it.

Finishing and Care

Your quillow is now complete. Gently shape it into a pillow by smoothing the envelope and arranging the folded quilt inside so it looks even and comfortable. You can place it on a bed, couch, or chair as a decorative pillow.

To use it as a quilt, straightforward reach into the envelope opening (or carefully open the hand-stitched seam if needed), pull out the folded quilt, and unfold it. If you hand-stitched the opening closed, you can carefully cut those stitches and re-stitch it closed when you're done, or leave it open for easier access next time.

Wash your quillow in cool water on a gentle cycle and dry it on low heat or lay it flat to dry. Because the quilt is folded inside the envelope, it's protected during washing and won't tangle with other items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a pre-made quilt to make a quillow?

Yes. If you already have a finished quilt that's roughly 40 to 50 inches square, you can skip the piecing and quilting steps and go straight to making the envelope and attaching it. The quilt must be completely finished with bound edges before you attach the envelope.

What size should the envelope be?

The envelope should be the same size as your finished quilt, plus half an inch on all sides for seam allowance. If your quilt is 45 by 45 inches, each envelope rectangle is 46 by 46 inches. This gives you a little breathing room so the quilt fits inside without being too tight.

Do I have to hand-stitch the opening closed?

You can machine-stitch it instead, but hand-stitching with a ladder stitch is nearly invisible and looks more polished. If you use a machine, use a thread that matches your envelope and stitch a quarter inch from the edge. You can always open this seam later if you need to remove the quilt for washing.

Can I make a quillow with a rectangular quilt instead of a square?

Yes, but it won't fold as neatly into a pillow shape. A 60-by-40-inch quilt works, but it will create a lumpy or elongated pillow. Square quilts between 40 and 50 inches fold most evenly and look best as pillows.

What thread should I use for hand-stitching?

Use all-purpose polyester or cotton thread that matches your envelope fabric. If you can't find an exact match, choose a shade slightly darker than your fabric — it will be less visible than a lighter shade. Use a single strand for the ladder stitch, not doubled thread.