Knowing how to quilt a pillow can be an advantage, and while creating the project, you may realize that it is more fun than you might have initially thought.
Many often wonder why others love quilting. After all, reusing unused fabrics to make something else may be a good thing. But cutting up perfectly fine cloths into different shapes and sewing them all back together seems like unnecessary work.
However, if you want to create a design that is unlike any other, quilting is the way to go. You can sew various fabrics of different shapes and colors to produce your very own blanket, pillow, or whatever you may desire. It is also a fun activity to relieve stress.
What Exactly Is Quilting?
In case you’re new to the idea, quilting refers to the process of stitching various layers of material together. Although quilts are usually made to cover beds, they can also be used to cover pillows. Quilts are typically made of a layer of padding in between two different layers of fabric that are stitched together.
What makes quilts extra special compared to other covers is the fact that their patterns and designs serve as the basis for the stitching.
What Is the History of Quilting?
Did you know that the concept of quilting has already been in existence since medieval times? In fact, various collections of quilts were discovered in India, the Far East, and Europe! The term, ‘quilt’ literally means ‘cushion’ or ‘bolster’ in Latin.
Your Guide on How to Quilt a Pillow
Step 1: Look or buy some fabric
Before you go and spend your money on fabric, it is better to have a plan first. You don’t necessarily need to plan out the specific pattern on the cloth. Instead, choose colors that go well together. Here are some examples of the color scheme.
If you already have extra fabric in your house, you can use those to create the cover for the pillow. Gather as much as you have, regardless of the size and pattern. If the cloth, later on, doesn’t match up with the design you have in mind, then you can just set them aside.
Step 2: Prepare your quilting tools and equipment
Aside from the fabric for the pattern, you should have one for the back cover, which should be as big as what you want your pillow to be. Some examples are the 16 inches square decorative cushion and the 20 by 26 inches sleeping pillow, among many.
Remember, you should leave at least an inch of extra cloth on all sides or edges of the sheet. That is important so that you can connect the back and front sides of the cover. Also, get the appropriately sized premade form or enough filling for your pillow.
Don’t forget about your batting fabric as well, which is preferably an inch bigger on all sides than the size you have set for your pillow. Following the same dimensions, prepare a backing fabric, such as muslin or some other leftover cloth.
To reduce puckering, you can use a spray baste. That is just optional, but if you want a cleaner finish, it can help. Also, the sewing machine, needle and thread, and basting pin should be on the list.
Step 3: Cut your fabric according to the pattern you prefer
The most common pattern would be the alternating squares. Basically, fabrics of different colors or designs are cut into perfect squares of equal sizes. However, you are free to make your own pattern and form your pillow out of different shapes instead.
You can create them with checkerboards, perfect triangles, or random shapes. As a start, you can search up for premade quilting patterns for pillows. From there, you can recreate it using your available fabric or buy some according to the sample you chose.
Step 5: Quilt the pillow
Before getting started with the quilting, you should arrange the pattern for the pillow first. Afterward, fasten all of the fabrics together using your straight basting or safety pins, whichever of the two you have. Only after can you start sewing the strips together.
Once the pattern is made, place it on top of the batting sheet and use your spray baste to reduce the puckering. Below it, put your muslin or backing fabric. Once all layers are perfectly aligned and fastened, start quilting using your sewing machine.
When you are done with all that needs to get quilted, you can trim the excess fabric. Then, proceed to the back part of the cover, hem all sides to get cleaner edges, and sew it to the quilted pattern.
If you are going to insert fillers, leave a small opening for it and close it afterward. Otherwise, you can also make it into a pillowcase instead. Sew zippers on one side, insert the form, and then close it up.
Final Thoughts on How to Quilt a Pillow
Following this guide on how to quilt a pillow is not as tricky as it sounds. If you have never tried doing such an activity before, this can be a good start. You can also use up the remaining fabric from this project to quilt more pillows or other stuff in your home.