Hi Janome friends! I’m Taylor from Toad & Sew, and this is my first project with you all — so happy to be here! Today I’m walking you through how to make a quillow… aka quilt pillow, and in this case, a quilt/pillow/purse. It’s the perfect project for summer adventures, whether that’s a picnic on the lawn or a day out on the water.
I made this project with my Janome M8, using the HP straight stitch foot. It’s my go-to foot for quilting projects because it can handle anything I throw at it.
You can follow more from me on Instagram @toadandsew.
Supplies
- (1) quilt block, approx. 15″–18″
- Batting scrap
- Block backing, approx. 1 fat quarter (FQ)
- Throw-size quilt
- 1.5″ strap, optional, approx. 30″ long
Step 1: Pick Your Quilt
Choose the quilt you want to turn into a quillow. I used my Intertwined Quilt — it’s so colorful, with a darker background that felt just right for outdoor adventures. This quilt measures approximately 74″ x 74″.
To find the right block size, divide the width of your quilt by four. For a 74″ quilt, that comes out to about 18.5″. This measurement is a guide, not an exact requirement — it doesn’t need to be precisely one-quarter of your quilt’s width.
Step 2: Make the Quilt Block
I made an 18.5″ quilt block, choosing colors that complemented my quilt top — but that part is totally up to your personal taste! This block will become the outside of your quillow.
Next, pick a backing fabric for the block. This is the fabric that shows when the quillow is unfolded and laid flat as part of the quilt. If you want the quillow to blend in seamlessly, use the same fabric as your quilt backing. I chose a striped orange fabric that complemented both the block and the quilt back.
Baste and quilt the block together.
If you want your quillow to double as a tote, this is also when you’ll add a strap. You can use pre-made strapping or make your own from fabric strips and interfacing. When you attach your binding, sew the strap facing inward, as shown in Fig. 1. Make sure it’s sewn on the block side (the outside of the quillow).
Step 3: Attach the Block to the Quilt Back
Sew the quillow block onto your quilt back. Lay the quilt face down with the strap at the bottom, then place the block face down on top. Stitch in the ditch along the left, bottom, and right sides of the block, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2.
Step 4: Take It on an Adventure
Fold up your quillow and it’s ready for the road! To make folding process a little easier, I’ve put together a how-to video for you:
Watch How to Fold Your Quillow Tutorial
