“Quillow”

Submitted by Markydoodle December 9th, 2009
Certifikitsch Winner

Is it a pillow?

Is it a quilt?

When my Mom gets on a project, she goes after it with verve. This is just one of the 30+ “quillows” she made for everyone in the family as well as any friend that would ask about 10 years ago. Each one had fabric that she thought best matched the recipient, in this case an ecology theme. I think she wore out several green visors and kept the vantage cigarette company in business to get the product out. While arguably an heirloom item to all of us, nevertheless, kitsch in a warm winter bundle. It simply folds up into its sewn-on pouch to create a tidy pillow once winter television time is over.

6 Responses to ““Quillow””

  1. Allee Willis

    I love that there’s a whole community of people with their own quillow.

    I don’t know enough about quilts, travel pillows, sleeping bags, portable sleeping apparatuses in general to know if the quillow is an invention of your mom or it’s actually an established genre. Looking at it, it makes complete sense to me as a product. Why have all these blankets lying around and only being of use as a cover when they could fold up nicely into quillows? Of course, the fact that she hand embroidered every quillow owner’s name on it helps the Q to be a very special object.

    Perfect that everyone had their own unique fabric. And giving us the extra details as to what your mom wore and did while assembling the quillows makes them even more appealing.

    I also compliment you on your photo presentation showing us each phase of the quillow. Starting with the packed up pouch was definitely the right move.

  2. Mark Milligan

    Okay I forgot to tell you that I talked to Mom in Nebraska about 2 months ago about the quillows. She told me she made more like 60 of them one year, so I underestimated her ability to put things out in volume! She also has one left that she has had in the back seat of her car for years that I have asked to see. I asked her what the pattern was, and she said, “oh, vegetables.” I don’t know the colors or condition, but if it’s in good shape I can send it to you if you’d like.

  3. Markydoodle

    Epilogue: Mom passed away last Tuesday. I can’t tell you how good it feels to see here what may really be my tribute to the person that taught me it’s okay to be myself.

    She also taught me how to shoot a gun, fish, and laugh.

    The latter being the greatest gift of all.

    Cheers!