This paper investigates the influence of quilting on the ballistic performance of plain weaves. The friction between the fabric-forming yarns was increased due to the constraint imparted by thread quilting. Ballistic impact tests were performed to characterize the ballistic protection of the quilted and the un-quilted samples, and FE simulation was used to study the mechanisms of energy absorption. It was found that the quilted fabrics outperform the un-quilted plain weave in terms of energy absorption. The most significant improvement in energy absorption capability exhibits a specific energy absorption over two times greater than that of un-quilted plain weaves. In addition, it was found from the images obtained from the high-speed camera that yarn quilting is effective in resisting yarn pull-out during a ballistic event, enabling more energy to be absorbed by the fabric system. Numerical predictions showed that thread quilting enlarges the area of stress distribution and the transverse deflection, and consequently enable the quilted systems to absorb more energy than the unquilted system shortly after impact. When the constituent layers were quilted together in a panel, the system acted as integrity during the energy dissipation process even though the individual layers were damaged by the projectile. •The influence of quilting on ballistic performance of plain weaves was systematically studied by experimental and FE method.•The energy absorption in quilted panels exhibits roughly twice as high in un-quilted plain weaves during a ballistic event.•Quilting is effective to resist yarn pull-out and enlarge the stress distribution & transverse deflection area during impact.