By Janome Maker: Casey Michelle
Quilts are a staple of outdoor adventures —but wouldn’t it be great if they could easier to bring on your family adventures? Enter the quilt storage pocket—a super handy addition to the back of your quilt that lets you easily bring your quilt along to your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re gifting a quilt or keeping it for your own home, this extra feature adds charm and practicality.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to add a storage pocket to the back of your quilt, step by step. Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need
- A finished quilt (this is the Wayward Quilt pattern using my Dancing Daisies collection with Riley Blake)
- Fabric for the pocket: 2 FQs fabric and 1 FQ of batting
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Pins or clips, hera marker, adhesive spray
- Sewing machine – I’m using my Janome 6700p
- 18” canvas strip to add as a strap
- (2) 21/2” x WOF strips for binding
Step 1: Decide Pocket Size
First, figure out how large you want your pocket to be. The throw size Wayward Quilt measures 56″ x 60″, to calculate the pocket size use:
(WIDTH ÷ 4) + 2″ = Width of Pocket, (Length ÷ 4) + 2″ = Length of Pocket
For the Wayward Quilt, this (56 ÷ 4) + 2 =16″ and (60 ÷ 4) + 2=17″.
Step 2: Cut and Prep the Pocket Fabric
Cut your fabric with based on measurements with ½” seam allowance on all sides. So, if you want an 16″ x 17″ finished pocket, cut (3) 17” x 18″squares of top fabric, batting, and backing. Baste into a quilt sandwich as quilt as desired. Trim to finished pocket size (16″ x 17″).
Before attaching the binding, take canvas strap and clip to the top edge of the pocket. Sew across the canvas strap while stitching binding to secure in place
Step 3: Position the Pocket
Lay your quilt out flat, back side up. Choose a location for the pocket—usually the bordering the midline (as shown in example) or the bottom corner is best.
Pin the pocket in place with the canvas strap on the inside of the pocket.
Step 4: Sew the Pocket to the Quilt
Using a straight stitch, sew around the sides and bottom of the pocket, close to the binding. Be sure to backstitch at the start and end for strength. You’re essentially sewing a U-shape, leaving the top open.
How to fold the quilt!
Want to fold the whole quilt into the pocket to carry? Here’s how:
- Fold the quilt in quarters lengthwise.
- Then fold upward into the pocket, turning the pocket inside-out over the folds like you’re stuffing a pillow.
- Voilà! A pillow-quilt combo, perfect for picnics, travel, or sleepovers.
Step 5: Add Personal Touches
This is a great spot to:
- Add a custom quilt label inside the pocket
- Embroider the recipient’s name
- Add a little quote, date, or hidden message
🌟 That’s It! Adding a pocket to your quilt is an easy, thoughtful upgrade that adds so much functionality. Whether you’re gifting or keeping it, this simple hack is sure to impress. Have you tried adding a pocket to your quilts? Tag me @wellspringdesigns_co or share your creations in the comments—I’d love to see how you use your quilt storage pockets! Happy quilting! 🧵 💛
