My daughter will be 14 next month. She wants a bean bag chair; a fluffy squish that she can melt into to spend endless hours reading. I want her to have a fluffy squish that she can melt into, but it can't be a bean bag chair. Those things are lethal. After searching around on the internet I concluded if she was going to have her fluffy squish it was on me.

I insistent on my children not being exposed to endless toxins. I am also a proponent of recycle, reuse, renew. After poking through our closets for inspiration I came up with what we're calling A Fluffy Squish of Heaven. A feather filled quilted fluffy squish that my girl can spend endless hours nesting in.

Supplies

Necessary Items:

Fabric for the outer cover * (Size is optional. Mine is 35 X 40)
Fabric for the insert * (Size is optional. Mine is 35 X40)
Cotton Batting * (Size is optional. Mine is 35 X40)
Feathers - (Amount is optional. I used 4 standard feather pillows that we had)
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Thread
Pencil
Pins
Iron
Ironing Board
Sewing Machine

* If you have an old quilt you could use this instead.

Optional Items:

Embroidery Floss or Yarn
Needles with large eyes
Zipper or Velcro

Step 1: Fabric: Wash, Dry, Iron & Cut

Decide on the size you want your project to be.

Procure fabric for the outer cover. The outer cover could be pretty much anything you like. (Mine is 35 X 40 so I procured a piece of fabric twice the size. You will need half for the top & half for the bottom).

Procure fabric for the insert which will hold the feathers. The insert fabric should be a tight weave so that the feathers don't poke through. Remember to procure a piece of fabric twice the size of your desired project - half for the top & half for the bottom.

Wash, dry & iron both outer & inner fabric. You don't want any shrinking surprises. Don't skip the ironing! Irons are sewing's greatest secret tool.

Cut your outer fabric into 2 equal pieces. (Mine is 35" X 40" so I have 2 pieces at this measurement)

Cut your insert fabric into 2 equal pieces that are 2" smaller than your outer fabric.
(Mine is 33 X 38. It is 2" smaller than the outer cover because it needs to fit inside the cover. I have 2 pieces at 33 X 38)

Cut 1 piece of batting the same size as 1 of your outer fabric.
(Mine is 35" X 40". I have 1 piece)

Step 2: Create the Insert Aka the Feather Bag

Creating the bag:

Cut the insert fabric (slightly smaller, about 2 " shorter than the width & 2" shorter than the length of the outer cover) into 2 equal sizes of your choosing.

My 2 pieces of fabric for the insert are each 33" wide & 38 "long.

Lay the 2 pieces of fabric together so that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. You should be looking at the wrong side of the fabric.

Pin the pieces together around the outer edge of 3 of the sides. Leave the 4th side unpinned.

Using a very small stitch do that you are creating a very tight seam,stitch around the 3 sides that you pinned. Leave the 4th side, the unpinned side,open.

Remove pins & turn the bag right side out. You should now have what looks like a giant pillowcase.

Stuffing the Bag:

I recommend doing this outside.
If you can find a helper, it makes life easier.
Fill bag with as much feathers as you decide is comfortable. I used 4 standard size pillows to fill my insert comfortably.

Turn the unfinished edges of the opening under 1/2 inch. Pin it shut. Sew up the opening.

Step 3: Create the Quilt Top Aka the Outer Cover

Lay the 2 pieces of fabric together so that the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. You should be looking at the wrong side of the fabric.

Lay the batting on top

Pin the pieces together around the outer edge of 3 of the sides.

Leave the 4th side unpinned. Using a very small stitch do that you are creating a very tight seam,stitch around the 3 sides that you pinned.

Leave the 4th side, the unpinned side,open.

Remove pins & turn the bag right side out. You should now have what looks like a giant pillowcase.

Optional Hand Tying - Using the embroidery thread or yarn you will attach the batting to the fabric. This will prevent the batting from bunching up into a lump when you wash it.

Thread the needle with the preferred tying material.
Insert needle down through outer fabric & batting then back up through ¼” away from the initial spot. Leave a 2” tail.
Cut thread, leaving another 2” tail.
Use a double knot to tie the tails together. Trim tails, leaving approximately 1” of thread or yarn above the surface of the fabric.
You will repeat this process effectively creating a grid of ties. Ties should be about 7" apart both horizontally & vertically.
This is a good tutorial: https://www.simplesimonandco.com/2017/09/how-to-tie-a-quilt.html/