I’m kicking off something new and exciting: my very own YouTube channel in which I will create modern quilted pillow tutorials! To start, I’ve taken on a project of making four pairs of quilted pillows (because why make four when you can make eight?). Each pair combines something familiar with something new: one pillow using a tried-and-true pattern or technique, and its twin using a technique I’ve never tried before.

This post introduces the project, shares the first two pillows, and links directly to the YouTube video so you can sew along with me.

This was such a leap into discomfort for me; I’m not a person who has ever been comfortable in front of a camera. But discomfort is great fuel for creativity, and I am glad I decided to let my creativity and curiosity win out over my fears!

I had a custom order for four quilted pillows for four sets of cousins, but the only direction I got was two fabric choices for each pillow. At first, that wide-open brief felt a little daunting - should I play it safe with familiar designs, or see it as a chance to try something new?

In the end, I decided to treat it like an invitation to play. With so much freedom, I could experiment with shapes, textures, and quilting techniques I’d never attempted before. What started as a simple order quickly became a space for me to stretch my creativity, step outside my comfort zone, and remind myself that growth often comes when we don’t know exactly how things will turn out.

Since this project grew into something bigger than just a custom order, I decided to document the whole modern quilted pillow adventure on YouTube. And here’s where I had to learn the lingo - it’s not a “series,” it’s a playlist. (Apparently, YouTube is very particular about that.) So, to keep things simple, I bundled all the videos together in one neat little playlist so you can find everything in one place.

Think of it as the hub for this project: eight videos, each one sharing a different pair of pillows. Some are familiar, some are totally new to me, and a few might even make you laugh at my experiments. Either way, this is where the whole story lives - tidy, organized, and ready for you to binge-watch like your favorite show.

This first pair of modern quilted pillows really set the tone for the whole project. I wanted to challenge myself with something brand new while also leaning on a block that feels like an old friend. The result? Two very different approaches - one playful experiment in texture, the other a nod to classic piecing - that somehow still work together as a matched set.

My “new-to-me” choice for this pair, and one that definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone. Layered rows of folded points gave the modern quilted pillow a bold, dimensional look, and the quilt-as-you-go method made it feel both experimental and satisfying. The end result is a little heavier than expected—in the best way - like cozy chain mail for your couch.

My “classic favorite.” This block was everywhere when I first started quilting, and it felt like the right time to revisit it. With a scrappy mix of half-square triangles arranged in a soft gradient around a fussy-cut cactus center, it blends nostalgia with a fresh, modern quilted pillow twist. Quilted with a simple grid and finished with an envelope back, it’s a reminder of how versatile and timeless the basics can be.

Together, these two modern quilted pillows balance each other beautifully - one playful and textured, the other structured and geometric. Paired with the same navy binding and envelope backing, they feel like cousins cut from the same cloth (quite literally).

Want to see these modern quilted pillows come together step by step? I filmed both projects so you can follow along in real time. Each video walks through my fabric pulls, the techniques I used, and all the little tips I picked up along the way.

The Prairie Points Quilted Pillow video dives into folding, layering, and quilting-as-you-go for that textured, dimensional finish, while the Winged Square Quilted Pillow video brings back a classic block with scrappy half-square triangles, a gradient layout, and a tidy grid quilt.

You’ll find both modern quilted pillow tutorials right here, side by side, so you don’t have to go searching. And if you enjoy watching the process, don’t forget to hit subscribe on my channel - you’ll be the first to know when the next pair of pillows drops.

That’s really the heart of this whole video playlist - showing that quilted pillows are a fun, approachable way to try new quilting techniques without the big commitment of a full quilt. They’re quick, satisfying projects that let you play with color, test out patterns, or whip up a thoughtful handmade gift for someone special.

If you’re inspired to give one (or both!) of these pillows a try, here’s what you’ll need:

Prairie Points Quilted Pillow:

• 3/4 yard of background fabric

• 72 - 5" squares

• 20" square of quilt backing fabric, pillow backing fabric, and batting

Winged Square Quilted Pillow:

• 12 - 5” squares (main fabric)

• 12 - 5” squares (background fabric)

• 2 - 6.5” background squares

• 1 - 6.5” center square

• 20" square of quilt backing fabric, pillow backing fabric, and batting

BONUS:

• Psst! You can get the FREE Winged Square Cutting Chart PDF in my shop!

So the real question is - which quilted pillow would you make first? The playful 3D Prairie Points or the classic, geometric Winged Square?

This was just the beginning! Each pair of quilted pillows in this playlist explores a different mix of techniques - some brand new to me, others tried-and-true favorites. Next up, I’ll be diving into a whole new set of experiments: think Cathedral Windows, bias tape appliqué, and maybe even a little fabric weaving (because why not make things interesting?).

If you want to see how it all unfolds, make sure you’re subscribed to the channel so you don’t miss a single episode. The next quilted pillow pair is already on the cutting table, and I can’t wait to share the process with you.