Sawtooth Body Pillow Quilt Pattern

The Sawtooth Body Pillow was designed and sewn as part of my daughter’s graduation present—something useful, comforting, and just a little bit special for her next chapter. I kept the palette simple and leaned into the bold rhythm of sawtooth stars: a field of half-square triangles marching strong across the length of the pillow. A sturdy canvas back and clean zipper finish make it ready for everyday use. It’s the kind of piece that grounds a space—whether tossed across a bed, stretched along a reading nook, or leaned into on late-night study sessions.

The Sawtooth Body Pillow is a weekend-friendly project with approachable patchwork and straightforward construction. The front features a repeat of graphic HSTs, quilted by hand or machine for texture. The back is finished with a simple zipper closure that makes swapping the pillow form easy (although I prefer polyfil and stuffing it myself). Use your favorite solids, indigo-dyed pieces, or scrappy contrasts for a pillow that feels personal and timeless.

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

What’s Included (and why you’ll love it)

• Step-by-step instructions to make a 20″ × 54″ quilted body pillow cover (fits a standard body pillow insert or use polyfil to stuff your cover- my fave option)

• Clear cutting charts and 8-at-a-time and 4-at-a-time HST methods

• Piecing diagrams and layout guide for the sawtooth repeat

• Zipper strip and zipper-tab method for a tidy closure

• Printer-friendly PDF with a clean, minimal layout

• 100% original pattern

• Downloadable PDF

Design Features

• Clean, graphic patchwork using beginner-friendly HSTs

• Long, lean format designed to fit a standard body pillow insert

• Zipper closure with covered zipper strips for a polished look

• Works beautifully with natural fibers and hand-dyed fabric

Construction & Techniques

• ¼″ seam allowance throughout

• 8-at-a-time and 4-at-a-time HSTs, trimmed to size

• Quilt sandwich with lining, batting, and quilt top (canvas back is not quilted)

• Zipper installation with fabric tabs and zipper strips

Materials & Specs

• Finished Size: 20″ × 54″

• All Exshaw Quilts patterns assume 42″ WOF (usable) and ¼″ seam allowance

• Closure: 36″ zipper

• Backing: Canvas

• Batting

• Lining

• polyfil (if you prefer to stuff them like I do!)

I always return to simple patchwork and steady stitches when I want a project to feel like home. The Sawtooth Body Pillow is one of those makes: approachable for beginners, satisfying for seasoned sewists, and a piece that quickly becomes part of everyday life.

All sales are final. If you have questions before purchasing, please reach out—I want you to feel confident in your purchase.

Thank you so much for supporting my work. It means the world to me that something I designed might be stitched into your everyday.

With warmth,
Kim

Share your finish with #SAWTOOTHBODYPILLOW and tag @exshaw so I can cheer you on.
This pattern is intended for personal use only.