Kids Makes

Quillow

Two for the price of one! This blanket folds up and stows neatly away in its own cushion cover. Ideal for long car journeys.

Requirements
2.5 m of 155 cm (61”) wide fleece 
8 m bias binding
4 large buttons

To prepare fabric pieces
1. For the blanket, cut a piece of fleece 210 x 155 cm (82 3/4” x 61”).  For the cushion cover cut two pieces of fleece 48 cm square (19”) and one piece 48  x 15 cm (19” x 6”).

2. Measure out four lengths of bias binding, two pieces for the long edges of the blanket and two pieces for the short edges.  Cut these 2 cm (3/4”) longer than the length of the edges. 

To make up
3. With wrong sides together press the lengths of bias binding in half lengthways and then pin and stitch these over the two long edges and one short edge of the blanket making sure that the extra bias binding is turned under each end to neaten the corners.

4. Take one large cushion piece and turn under 1 cm (3/8”) to the wrong side along one edge.  Pin and stitch in place.  Take the other large cushion piece and the smaller cushion piece and with right sides together place the smaller piece of fleece along one edge of the large piece and pin and stitch these together along this edge taking a 1 cm (3/8”) seam.  Trim the seam and open the pieces and lay them flat right side up.  Take the first piece of cushion cover and lay this right side down on the matching piece making sure that the turned under edge is level with the seam on the two other pieces.  Fold the smaller piece over the top of this to make a flap.  Pin and stitch all three edges making sure that the flap is also stitched down each side.

5. Turn the cushion cover right side out.  Cut four lengths of bias binding each 12 cm (5 3/4”) long.  Fold in half lengthways and stitch the edges together.  Fold these into loops and stitch along the turned under edge of the cushion cover making sure that they are evenly placed.  Then on the other side of the cushion cover sew the 4 buttons in place to correspond with the loops.  These will secure the cushion cover closed once the blanket is folded up inside.

6. Lay the blanket wrong side facing with the unfinished edge at the top.  Measure and mark the centre of this edge with a pin.  Turn the cushion cover inside out and find the centre of the edge opposite the opening edge and mark this with a pin.  Lay the cushion cover on top of the blanket matching the centres together and then pin these together along the edge.  Stitch the cushion cover to the blanket 6 mm (1/4”) from the edge.  Finally take your last length of bias binding, fold and press in half lengthways, pin and stitch this in place on the final edge of the blanket making sure that the edge of the cushion cover is also ‘sandwiched’ into the binding.

7. To fold up the blanket into the cover, lay the blanket on the floor with the cushion cover folded beneath it then fold the sides of the blanket in to match the width of the cushion cover then fold this length up until it is the size of the cushion cover.  Fold the cushion cover over the blanket as you turn it right side out.  Tuck the inside flap over the blanket and secure closed with the buttons and loops.

Stockist information
Fleece used came from Pennine Outdoor Ltd, tel: 015242 63377 or visit their website on http://www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk

This project was created by Jackie Gulliver for Sewing World magazine.