Skill Level CONFIDENT BEGINNER

Finished Size

     Block 12" x 18"

     Quillow 16" x 16"

Download Instructions:  Click here to download a .pdf. (Problems downloading our .pdf? Click here for troubleshooting tips.)

Bonus: Scottie coloring page.

ASSEMBLING PILLOW SQUARE
Step 1. Finger-press red 17" x 17" square in half horizontally, vertically, and diagonally; use folds as placement guides. Using appliqué method of choice (appliqué lessons), position and appliqué template fabrics to red square in alphabetical order (Diagram I). Using white embroidery floss, satin stitch Scottie's eye (Diagram II)
Step 2. Layer wrong side of appliqué block with 18" x 18" square of low loft batting. Quilt block and batting together, using quilting design of your choice. Square quilted layers to 15 1/2" x 15 1/2". Layer quilted block with red 15 1/2" x 15 1/2" square, right sides together, and sew 1/4" seam around all edges, leaving approximately 8" open at bottom for turning inside out. (Diagram III). Turn right side out and top stitch along bottom edge only, closing opening (Diagram IV).

Diagram I

Satin Stitch Diagram II

Diagram III

Diagram IV

ASSEMBLING QUILLOW TOP
Step 3. Referring to Diagram V-A, sew black 3 1/2" x WOF strips to sides of plaid 3 1/2" x WOF strip. Press in direction of arrows. Cut 36 segments 3 1/2" wide. Repeat sewing plaid strips to sides of black strip. Cut 18 segments 3 1/2" wide (Diagram V-B).
Step 4. Using Diagram VI as a guide, stitch together 3 segments to make nine-patch block. Make 18.

Diagram V-A

Diagram V-B

Diagram VI

Step 5. Alternating nine-patch blocks with red 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" squares, assemble rows of quillow top. Refer to Diagram VII for block placement.

FINISHING QUILLOW
Step 6. Using Diagram VIII as a guide, sew three 15 1/2" x 63 1/2" red strips together lengthwise to make quillow lining.
Step 7. Layer top and lining, right sides together, on flat surface. Spread low loft batting on top, making three layers. Pin layers together and careully turn them over. Trim batting to fit quillow top and lining. Using an even-feed presser foot, machine stitch a 1/4" seam through all the layers, leaving a 10" opening along bottom for turning quillow inside out. After turning quillow, blind stitch opening to close. Machine quilt or "tie" layers together.
Step 8. Referring to Diagram IX, center the finished pillow, appliqué side down, along top edge of the quilted layers. Backstitching at the beginning and end of seam, top stitch 1/8" seam along sides and top of pillow to lining side of quillow. Leave bottom open to form pocket.

Diagram VII

Diagram VIII

Diagram IX

FOLDING QUILLOW
Step 9. Lay quillow on flat surface, pillow side down. Fold into thirds vertically (Diagram X-A).
Step 10. Reach under the folded quillow and grab the bottom edge of the pillow, pulling up and over until it has been turned inside out. The top edges of the quilt should now be inside of the pillow pocket and the appliqué side of pillow is on the top (Diagram X-B).
Step 11. Fold the quillow into thirds lengthwise (Diagram X-C). Referring to Diagram X-D, stuff folded quilllow into pillow pocket. Hand-smooth unwanted folds and lumps.

Diagram X-A

Diagrams X-B, X-C and X-D