Quilted Body Pillow with Fabric Scraps

Are you looking for creative ways to use your leftover fabric scraps? I’m excited to share how to make a quilted body pillow that you can stuff with all those fabric scraps taking up space!

Fabric Stash Overload? Let’s Use It!

If you’re like me, you’ve probably accumulated a mountain of fabric scraps that could fill a large storage bin. But when is the right time to sort through it? Well, here’s a perfect solution: turn your scraps into a beautiful and functional quilted body pillow! Then, choose to fill the pillowcase with your scraps, or purchase a pillow insert.

Quilted Body Pillow Tutorial

This tutorial will guide you through creating an 18″ x 54″ body pillow that doubles as fabric scrap storage. The name, Secret Starry Stash, comes from the two stars formed by piecing together three blocks. Plus, this pillow offers a creative way to ‘stash’ those fabric scraps!

Materials You’ll Need

• Quilting Fabric (yardage provided in the downloadable pattern)
• Quilt Batting (amount indicated in the pattern)
• (1) 20″ Vinyl Zipper
• Optional: 20″ x 54″ pillow insert (found on Amazon) if you don’t want to stuff with scraps.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) – 8 at a Time

This method will create all the HSTs you need for the pillow design:

1. Draw two diagonal lines on the wrong side of the Background Fabric square.
2. Place the Background Fabric square right sides together (RST) with its counterpart.
3. Sew a ¼” seam on both sides of each diagonal line.
4. Cut along the diagonal lines to create 4 units, then cut each unit in half to make 8 HSTs.
5. Open and press the HSTs to measure 3 ½” x 3 ½”.

Watch the video below to see it all in action!

2. Flying Geese (FGs) – 4 at a Time

Your free pattern also includes instructions for making no-waste Flying Geese:

1. Draw a diagonal line across 4 smaller fabric squares.
2. Place 2 of the smaller squares RST with one larger square, aligning the diagonal lines.
3. Sew a ¼” seam on both sides of the diagonal line and cut along the line to separate the unit.
4. Open and press the smaller pieces away from the half-square units.
5. Add a smaller square to each new unit, sew ¼” seams on both sides, and cut to make 4 Flying Geese.

Piecing the Blocks Together

With the HSTs and FGs complete, it’s time to assemble the blocks. Make sure the points of the Flying Geese match by keeping the FG on top when sewing. Once the blocks are done, piece together three blocks in a row, revealing the two ‘secret’ stars in the center.

Quilting and Assembling the Pillow

1. Baste and Quilt: Quilt the front and back of the pillow separately, each with batting and backing fabric. I used a floral print for my pillow’s backing.
2. Trim: After quilting, trim the excess batting and backing to match the pillow’s front.
3. Attaching the Zipper: Align the zipper with the pillow’s short edge, RST. Sew with a ¼” seam and press. Repeat for the other side of the zipper with the backing fabric.
4. Final Assembly: With the zipper open halfway, sew the pillow RST along the three non-zippered sides. Turn the pillow right-side out, stuff with scraps, and enjoy!

Finished Quilted Body Pillow

Congratulations! You’ve just completed your quilted body pillow using fabric scraps. Now that your scrap bin is empty, it’s time to fill it up with more beautiful fabric! ????