Hi there, and welcome back to Cozy Fall Stitches! Chapter 4 is here, and this time we’re making the Hand Stitch Companion Pillow. This little project is a great way to practice hand quilting, especially if you’ve ever wanted to try it but felt unsure where to begin.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the two different ways you can approach this pattern, what tools you’ll need, and a few of my favorite tips to make hand quilting simple and enjoyable.

Two Ways to Hand Quilt

Hand quilting can seem a bit intimidating at first, but once you get started, it’s actually quite relaxing. The running stitch is the foundation of hand quilting, and it’s easy to pick up even if you’re brand new.

When it comes to this pillow, you can choose one of two directions:

1. Use a Geometric Print as Your Guide

Pick a geometric fabric with lines, grids, or shapes printed right on it. These printed lines become your quilting guide! There’s no need to mark anything — just start quilting right over the existing pattern. It’s the simplest way to jump in, and it gives a beautifully textured result.

🟣 Shop geometric fabrics here

2. Use a Stencil and Mark Your Own Design

If you’d rather create your own look, try a stencil. Choose a solid or almost solid fabric, trace your stencil design, and hand quilt right over the drawn lines. It’s a bit more hands-on but gives you a completely custom finish.

🌿 Shop stencils and marking tools

Both methods are equally lovely, and you can easily complete all the quilting for your pillow in an evening. I finished mine in about an hour while watching a show and sipping tea.

Lessons in Chapter 4

If you’re following along in class, here’s what this chapter covers:

• Lesson 25: Project Introduction
• Lesson 26: Pattern Download + Overview
• Lesson 27: Preparing the Pillow Sandwich
• Lesson 28: Hand Quilting (Running Stitch + Scallops)
• Lesson 29: Assembling the Pillow Back

This pillow includes a zipper back that runs the full width of the pillow, and we’re using pinking shears inside for a clean, easy finish. I also like to add a bit of interfacing to the backing to give it extra structure.

✂️ Shop pinking shears
🧷 Shop zippers

A Few Helpful Tips

• Use hand quilting thread — it’s a little thicker and designed for strength.
• Keep your stitches small and even, but don’t worry about perfection. The charm of hand quilting is in its handmade look.
• Try everyday items like saucers or bowls as marking tools if you don’t have a stencil on hand.

🧵 Shop hand quilting thread

Join the Class

If you’ve already purchased the Cozy Fall Stitches class or you’re part of Quilty Club, Chapter 4 is ready for you to watch. Download your pattern and start stitching along with me today.

If you’re not a member yet, you can join Quilty Club for $15 a month and get access to all four chapters of Cozy Fall Stitches so far, plus every other Quilt Class and downloadable pattern.

💌 Join Quilty Club here

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Closing Thoughts

If you’ve ever wanted to try hand quilting but didn’t know where to start, this pillow is a perfect first step. It’s small, quick, and forgiving, and the finished result looks beautiful on any sofa or bed. I hope you’ll give one of these two methods a try and see just how soothing slow stitching can be.