Welcome to the page devoted to all things quillow! Here you will find free patterns for quillows, lessons on how to make quillows, and great directions showing how to fold a quillow. Keep reading!
What is a quillow?
A quillow is a quilt that has a pocket that is sewn on the quilt so it can be folded up to fit inside the pocket, making the quilt into a pillow!
Basically, it’s a blanket in a pillow!
When the blanket fabric of a quillow is folded and put inside the quillow pocket, you have a nice cushy pillow. When a warm blanket is needed, simply untuck the quilt or blanket from the pillow and spread it open!
I was pretty amazed years ago when my kiddos were given gifts of quillows made by their great-grandma. I had never seen such a thing, and I loved how small and compact these quilts or blankets could become!
I learned from my grandmother that quillows do make great gifts, especially for kids. Kids just love having a warm, snuggly blanket. Now add the very cool fact that they can transform their blanket into a pillow, and you have the perfect gift for kids of all ages.
My kids used their quillows for sleepovers, camping, reading, watching TV, car rides, and more. There is a wonderful tutorial below that shows how to make a quillow with a waterproof backing that is great for picnics!
How to make a quillow
The free video and written tutorials below have excellent directions showing how to make a quillow.
This project is definitely right for beginner sewists!
There are many ways to make a quillow. They can be made like a quilt, with a top, batting and backing. The layers are sandwiched and then they are quilted, with a pillow from the same fabric added to the quilt. Check out our Beginner Quilt Series to learn the steps to make a simple quilt.
However, quillows can easily be made from old quilts and blankets by just adding a pillow pocket! Find coordinating fabric or even a cute panel to create the pillow that is sewn onto the existing blanket.
Keep in mind that the pocket is reversible. One side of the pocket will show when the quilt or blanket is folded into a pillow, and the other side will show when the quillow is opened into a blanket.
This page has links to various free quillow patterns.
How to fold a quillow
I found that I had to experiment several times to fold the quillows that my grandmother had made for my kids. That was before all of the great tutorials showing how to fold a quillow!
There are many links below that give detailed directions showing how to fold a quillow back into a pillow! It is really quite simple once it has been folded a few times for practice. Even the kiddos can fold their own quillows once they’ve been shown how to do it. It really is very easy to fold a quillow!
Scroll down this page to find many free quillow patterns, directions showing how to make quillows, and learn how easy it is to fold a quillow.
Make a comfy pillow and warm blanket in one! If you're short on time and you want to purchase a quillow, this Etsy site has many to buy as well.
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Enjoy the free quillow pattern available to download, courtesy of the fabric manufacturer, Wilmington Prints.
Bear Creek Quilting
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How to sew your own camping quillow.
Fiskars
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With this tutorial, you will learn the many different fabrics and items you can use to make the pocket for the quillow. Then learn how to make one.
Cut and Keep
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Turn a cuddle blanket into a quillow using these instructions.
The Gifty Girl
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Reversible quillow pocket along with tips on making a quillow.
Patchwork Quilting
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This is a quick and easy sewing project using a fleece blanket, a contracting piece of fleece for the pocket and a sewing machine and thread.
Crafty Ady
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Learn how to put the blanket back into the pocket to form a quillow again.
Cushions and More
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Learn how to make a blanket that folds into itself to make a pillow.
WikiHow
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A step-by-step guide on how to make a quillow blanket.
Krostrade
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For this tutorial, the author has instructions on how to sew a pillowcase to the bottom of the quilt and the quilt can be folded into the pillowcase to make a pillow.
Cluck Cluck Sew
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Transform a quilt into a quillow with these instructions.
Squats and Running Stitches
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This quillow features an applique kitten on the front. The Printable PDF Pattern includes the instructions, kitty applique pattern, and a coloring page.
Quilting Daily
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Here is a tutorial on how to make your own quillow using fleece.
By craftknowitall at Instrutables
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Here learn a quick and easy technique for making a quillow.
Cushions and More
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This quillow keeps you warm and cozy, yet simple folding quickly transforms it into a compact pillow. You’ll find many uses for these quillows: as car blankets, at football games, in dorm rooms, and more! Sew one in 30 minutes or less!
Budget 101
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Cutting measurements and general instruction for making a pillow quilt.
Sewing.org
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With flannel, fleece, a few basic sewing supplies and this free tutorial, use the step-by-step instructions to make q quillow.
Instructables
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Here is a version of the instructions, and then directions on how to fold it back up into a pillow, again.
With Heart and Hands
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With this free pattern, make a simple quillow.
Patchwork Posse
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Learn how to make a quillow and also how to fold a quillow here. Also a cute poem you can add as a label.
Phoebe Moon
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For this free tutorial, the quillow is made with pre-quilted fabric and bias tape. Learn more by clicking the link.
Quilter's Crossing
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Learn about this school themed quillow or pillow quilt Chris made for her college student. This quillow can be made in any school or team color. It is perfect for a dorm or college apartment since it can be used as either a warm lap quilt or a pillow. Learn more.....
Needlepointers.com Associate
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With these free instructions and pattern, make an adorable quillow.
Quilting Daily
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This snuggly quillow (quilt + pillow) is sewn with warm and toasty high loft fleece. Stitch one up with your little sewing partner.
Nancy Zieman
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