What Is A Quillow? The Quilt-Pillow Hybrid Explained

A quillow is one of those clever projects that makes people smile the first time they see it. It looks like an ordinary pillow, but unfold it and it becomes a cozy quilt. The name combines quilt and pillow, and the design is just as simple as it sounds. Quillows are popular for road trips, sleepovers, movie nights, and gifts, and they’re a fun way to make a quilt that’s easy to carry and store.

This guide explains what a quillow is and how the pocket and fold-up design works. We’ll cover sizes, fabrics, and batting, who a quillow is great for, and common challenges when making one. We’ll also cover something many guides skip: turning a quilt you’ve already finished into a quillow. Finally, we’ll share care and storage tips. At Bee’s Quilt Shop, quillows were a delightful project that appealed to quilters of every skill level, and they always made memorable gifts.

What A Quillow Is

A quillow is a quilt that folds into a pillow. It has a pocket sewn onto the back of the quilt, usually at one end. When you fold the quilt into a neat bundle and flip the pocket around it, the quilt tucks inside, and the pocket becomes the pillow cover. The front of the pocket is often decorated with a print, a block, or appliqué, so the pillow looks attractive on its own.

Quillows are usually lap-size or throw-size, small enough to fold into a manageable pillow but large enough to be useful as a blanket. They can be made from quilting cotton, flannel, fleece, or soft cuddle fabrics, depending on how cozy you want them to be. Some quillows are fully pieced and quilted, while others are simple two-layer blankets with a pocket. The basic idea stays the same: a blanket that stores itself in its own pocket. It’s a practical design that solves the problem of where to keep an extra throw, and it’s fun to make too.

How The Quillow Pocket And Fold-Up Design Works

The quillow pocket is the key to the design. It’s typically a square of fabric, sometimes padded with batting, sewn to the back of the quilt at the center of one short end. Three sides of the pocket are stitched to the quilt, and the fourth side is left open. The pocket’s front faces the back of the quilt, so when it’s flipped out, its decorative side shows.

To fold a quillow, you lay the quilt flat with the pocket side down. Then you fold the long sides in toward the center so the quilt is roughly the width of the pocket. Next, you fold the quilt up from the end opposite the pocket, folding it in sections until it reaches the pocket. Finally, you reach into the pocket, turn it inside out over the folded quilt, and tuck the bundle in. The result is a neat pillow. The exact folding method varies by pattern, so following your pattern’s instructions helps. Once you’ve done it a few times, folding becomes quick and easy.

Sizes, Fabrics, And Batting For A Quillow

Quillows are often lap-size, since a lap quilt folds into a comfortable pillow without being too bulky. Many patterns suggest a finished quilt around throw size, with a pocket around the size of a standard throw pillow, though sizes vary. The pocket size depends on the quilt size, since the folded quilt needs to fit inside.

Fabric choices depend on the look and feel you want. Quilting cotton is easy to work with and comes in endless prints. Flannel adds softness and warmth. Fleece and cuddle fabrics are very cozy and often used for the back, though they add bulk and can be slippery. For batting, many quilters choose a lightweight or low loft batting, since thick batting makes the folded bundle bulky and hard to fit in the pocket. Some quillows skip batting entirely, especially when using fleece or cuddle fabric. Keeping the layers fairly thin helps the quilt fold neatly and makes the pillow comfortable, so lighter choices usually work best.

Who A Quillow Is Great For

Quillows are great for many people and situations. They’re popular for travel, since they’re easy to carry in a car, on a plane, or to a campsite. On a long drive, a quillow can be a pillow for napping and a blanket when it gets chilly. They’re also handy for outdoor events like picnics, sports games, and concerts.

Kids love quillows, especially for sleepovers, car rides, and reading corners. A quillow made with a favorite theme or character-inspired colors can become a cherished item. They’re also popular gifts for college students, who often have limited space, and for anyone who loves to curl up on the couch. Quillows make thoughtful gifts for graduations, birthdays, and holidays, and they can be personalized with embroidery or a special block on the pocket. Some people keep a quillow in the car as an emergency blanket. Their versatility and fun design make them a project many quilters enjoy making again and again for family and friends.

Common Challenges When Making A Quillow

A few challenges come up when making a quillow. Bulk is the most common. The pocket area has extra layers, and if the batting is too thick, the pocket and folded quilt can become hard to manage. Using lightweight batting, padding the pocket lightly or not at all, and pressing seams carefully helps reduce bulk.

Getting the fold-up proportions right is another challenge. If the pocket is too small, the folded quilt won’t fit inside. If it’s too large, the pillow will look floppy. Many patterns give pocket sizes based on the quilt size, so following a pattern is helpful for a first quillow. Some quilters make a quick paper mock-up or test fold the quilt before sewing the pocket on, to check the size. Placing the pocket accurately is important too, since it needs to be centered at the end of the quilt. Taking time to measure and test before stitching helps your quillow fold neatly and look polished.

Turning A Finished Quilt Into A Quillow

Here’s something many quillow guides skip: you can turn a quilt you’ve already finished into a quillow. If you have a lap quilt or throw that you love but don’t have space to display, adding a pocket can make it more useful. Since the pocket is added after the quilt is complete, this works well with finished quilts.

To do this, measure your finished quilt and decide on a pocket size that will fit the folded quilt. Fold the quilt the way you plan to store it and measure the folded bundle to check. Make the pocket from coordinating fabric, possibly with a decorative block or appliqué on the front. Finish the pocket’s edges, then position it at the center of one short end on the back of the quilt and stitch three sides, leaving the top open. Some quilters stitch along existing quilting lines or the binding to make the stitching less visible. This is a quick way to give an older quilt new life.

Caring For And Storing A Quillow

Caring for a quillow is similar to caring for any quilt. Check the care instructions for your fabrics and batting. Many quillows made from cotton, flannel, or fleece can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool or warm water and tumble dried on low. Washing it unfolded, with the pocket turned right side out, helps it clean evenly.

If your quillow has a fleece or cuddle fabric back, avoid high heat, which can damage the fibers. Some quilters line dry their quillows to help them last longer. When storing, the quillow is designed to store itself, so simply fold it into its pocket. Store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. If you’re storing it for a long time, unfolding and refolding it occasionally helps prevent permanent creases. With a little care, a quillow can provide comfort and convenience for years, and it often becomes a favorite item in the household.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a quillow?

A quillow is a quilt with a pocket sewn to the back so it can fold up and tuck inside the pocket to become a pillow. The name combines quilt and pillow.

What size should a quillow be?

Many quillows are lap-size or throw-size, small enough to fold into a pillow but large enough to use as a blanket. Pocket size depends on the quilt size, so follow a pattern or test fold first.

What batting is best for a quillow?

Lightweight or low loft batting is often recommended because it keeps the folded bundle from getting too bulky. Some quillows skip batting entirely, especially with fleece backing.

Can I add a pocket to a finished quilt?

Yes, the pocket is usually added after the quilt is complete, so it works well on a finished quilt. Measure the folded quilt to choose the right pocket size.

How do you fold a quillow?

Fold the long sides in to match the pocket’s width, fold the quilt up toward the pocket, then turn the pocket over the bundle. Bee’s Quilt Shop always suggested practicing the fold a few times before sewing the pocket in place.