Nothing says cozy like autumn. And what’s more cozy than you in your sewing room with your red, gold, orange and brown fabric scraps. These five fall quilt block tutorials are fast, forgiving and perfect for using up the bits and pieces you’ve been saving. Stitch them into seasonal pillows, wall hangings, tote bags, table runners and more. They’re beginner friendly, but still fun for quilters of every skill level. Best of all, you can make most of them in an afternoon.
Here’s what’s on the menu: two pumpkin blocks, two leaf ideas and a basket to gather all of fall’s bounty.
Pumpkin Quilt Blocks
1. Simple Pumpkin Block
This cutie is a twist on the classic snowball block. Add a stem, pick your favorite fall prints and you’re done! It comes together so quickly that you’ll want to whip up a whole patch.
2. Nine Patch Pumpkin Block
Think of this one as the simple pumpkin’s scrappier cousin. Pull a variety of fall-colored 2 1/2″ squares from your bins, cut fresh squares from jelly roll strips, or dive into your stash and let the AccuQuilt do the cutting. Mix these with simple pumpkins for a table runner to keep or a handmade gift for a friend.
Scrappy Leaf Blocks
3. Scrappy Maple Leaf Block
Add a few leaves to your runner and capture all the colors of autumn while busting scraps. Use your favorite method for half square triangles. My fastest is the AccuQuilt, but if you don’t have one, I also love this strip method. It cuts squares and half square triangles from a single strip with zero fabric waste.
4. Reverse Appliqué Crumb Leaves
This is my favorite way to use my tiniest scraps. Make a color wash from fall-colored crumb fabric, then lay a low-volume or solid background with your leaf shape cut out over the top. The result is leaves in every shape and color imaginable. This is the technique I used for Blowin’ in the Wind in my Crumb Quilts book.
Fall Basket Quilt Block
5. Basic Basket Block
Gather the abundance of the season with this easy basket. Play with the handle! I’ve used rick rack and bias tape. I like to make my own bias tape so I can choose the perfect fabric, and you can learn how here.
Ready to Stitch?
Grab your scraps, pour a hot cider and start with whichever block calls to you. Which one will you make first? Need a home for your fall quilt blocks? Try them in my Quick Win patterns. Ask for them at your local quilt shop. Quilt shops can purchase them through Checker or EE Schenck.
