Creative Play + Cozy Pets: How I Turned Quilt Leftovers into Something Beautiful

If you’ve ever had a beloved pet bed that’s been just a little too loved, you’ll understand exactly why this project came to be.

After countless wash cycles, the old cushion I’d made for my cat, Pips, finally gave out—its seams torn and stuffing starting to peek through. Instead of tossing it and buying something new, I saw an opportunity to slow down, dig into my fabric scraps, and create something from the heart (and from leftovers!).

What followed was a joyful freedom session—no patterns, no rules, just improv quilting with the beautiful scraps leftover from my Spinning Snowflakes quilt. It was exactly what I needed: a playful, low-pressure way to reconnect with my creative instincts and practice sustainability by giving new life to fabric that might’ve otherwise ended up forgotten.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of making an improv quilted pet bed —equal parts cozy, creative, and kind to the planet. If you’ve been wondering what to do with your own growing pile of scraps, or looking for a fun way to make something special for your furry companion, keep reading. This one’s for you (and your four-legged sidekick)! 🐾✨

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.

The Spark: What Inspired This Improv Project

I wasn’t even done piecing together the Spinning Snowflakes quilt when I kept being tempted by the fabric scraps sitting on my sewing table 😉

You know that feeling where you just want to make something?

That’s how I felt every time I spotted those remnants; it’s as though they were beckoning me to come and play with them.

So, despite my long to-do list, I decided to go for it – ha!

After working for weeks on a new quilt design, I always need time to just let loose, have some fun, and tune into my creative instincts. It gives me a chance to reconnect with a different side of my brain, and it’s almost like a creative reset. The fact that it means I make great use of my remnants is a bonus.

Sustainability in Quilting

Plus, it gives me a chance to explore the fabric combination from a new quilty perspective. It always amazes me how different a project can look and feel, even though I’m working with the exact same fabric source. Quilting is fun, right?!

I encourage you to look at your project fabric scraps in a new light – see them as an opportunity to explore new ideas, new pairings, and new quilting techniques. If you’re not happy with the results, no biggie, they were only scraps after all 😉

So, before I knew it, I’d pieced together a fun improv top and popped it on my design wall to contemplate where to take it next.

The Making Process

Once I had the quilt top done, I allowed it to sit on my design wall for quite a while. I was still piecing the Spinning Snowflake quilt, so it allowed me time to marinate on quilty possibilities.

Quilted Pillow Bed

Around that time, I also noticed that Pips’ original pillow was starting to show signs of wear and tear. Literally, one of the seams had torn, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easily fixed.

So, I decided to turn the improv top into a new cushion for him. But I didn’t want to just replicate the original. No, I wanted to improve on the design and give him more pouf to snuggle into.

As you know, Pips is my top QQCI – Quilt Quality Control Inspector – ha! He loves to ‘inspect’ my quilty projects at every step of the quilting process. His fave step? Basting! As soon as a roll of batting comes out, he beelines it for the soft, cuddly cottony goodness. I’ve even caught him licking the stuff 😉

Improving the Original Design

To give the cushion more loft, I opted to add some side borders. I didn’t want it to be too high, but high enough to add extra cushioniness.

Since I was designing this on the fly, I started with some extra-large panels that I later trimmed down based on the final size I needed.

It was so fun to see each step take shape.

A Case for a Well-Stocked Creative Cabinet

What was fun was that I had all of the materials already on hand.

The original pillow featured an invisible zipper, but since I was adding side borders, I decided to go with a visible zipper. After digging through my zipper stash, I found these longer metal YKK zippers that I’d custom ordered for when I was making this Guiding Lights pillow. Wouldn’t you know the colour worked beautifully with this new colourway. When things like this work out, I always think it’s kismet, and it encourages me to stay the course with a project.

Finishing Touches

With the borders stitched together, it was simply a matter of attaching the top and bottom panels to complete the cushion.

But I didn’t stop there.

I decided to finish the interior lining as well. I wanted this cushion to stand up to repeated washes. Serging the edges could have worked, but I opted to enclose the raw-edged seams with binding.

That took me a minute to complete as the layers were so thick I wasn’t sure if my machine could handle all that girth. So, I finished it off with some big stitch hand binding (learn how in this tutorial).

The extra effort was worth it, as I love the finished look. I love that I can wash Pips’ improv cushion without worrying about the seams fraying.

Stuffing Options

In terms of the filling, I already had an open package of polyfill on hand (what I used for his original pillow). I did contemplate getting a custom pillow insert, but that seemed a little over the top and would have meant longer delays in getting this done. The polyfill worked like a charm!

Pet-Approved!

It gives that extra loft I was after, and between the quilting and the insert, the cushion has become his favourite napping spot. No surprise there! Pips loves testing out new quilty goods, and the fact that this one is his to keep warms my heart to see him so cozy on his new pouff.

Honestly, I think it’s become his new favourite napping spot 😉

Materials featured

To make your own, here’s an overview of the materials and notions I used to bring this project to life:

• Fabric scraps: mine were a combination of Artisan Cottons with light and dark linen
• Batting (this is a great project to use up batting scraps)
• Lining fabric – I used muslin since I have a whole bolt on hand, but you can use quilting cotton
• Binding – remants from making this floor cushion
• Piecing thread
• Quilting thread
• Sewing machine
• Walking foot
• Iron
• Wool felt mat  – Use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your entire purchase at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
• Scissors
• Rotary cutterRotary cutter with these blades
• Cutting mat
• Metal zipper
• Clips
• Needle for hand sewing
• Thimble
• Pearl cotton thread for big stitch hand binding
• Snips
• Pincushion
• Poly fill

Freedom in Fabric Scraps

If you feel like taking on an improv quilted pet bed is too ambitious, then consider making some smaller projects to practice on until you find your creative groove. I always like to say that there’s no right or wrong, just what feels right to you. So, if you’ve got some fabric remnants kicking around your sewing room (if you sew or quilt, you no doubt do 😉), then I encourage you to dive in and have some quilty fun. Here are a few smaller projects to help inspire your play:

• Improv quilted hot water bottle cover
• Improv quilted pet placemat
• Improv quilted pet carrier liner
• DIY Pincushion

I can’t tell you how good it feels to no longer be looking at a torn cushion – ha! I absolutely love how this improv quilted pillow turned out, and it warms my heart every time I spy Pips curled up napping away on his new pet bed. Sometimes it’s these impromptu projects that bring the most joy.

I hope this encourages you to stitch up some quilted goodies for your furry friends and, if you do, I’d love to see them! Share in the comments below so we can all get in on the quilty fun!

And if you need some guidance on diving into improv quilting, then check out Improv Behind the Scenes, where you see and hear me work through piecing together my blocks for the 30 Days of Improv QAL.

Happy stitching!

xo

Shannon

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