Thursday, November 10, 2016

Pumpkin Quilt Block Tutorial



No scrap block this Thursday, I'm taking a break for some holiday sewing!

Whether you are making a single pumpkin table topper or an entire pumpkin quilt, this easy to piece pumpkin block works great! The instructions are written so you can just pick your square size and sew. I have included the cutting instructions for 6", 9",12", and 18" blocks. A bright, medium orange solid paired with a neutral background turn this pumpkin into a simple yet colorful fall centerpiece. You only need 3 fabrics for this block; 2 if you use the same fabric for the stem as you did the pumpkin. A background fabric, a pumpkin fabric, and finally the optional pumpkin stem fabric. In my pumpkin table runner, I used the same fabric for the stem and pumpkin on all of the pumpkins. This way, I only needed to pick out two different fabrics, which made planning the design for this table runner super easy! If you want to read about choosing fabric for your quilt, check out this post here.

Pumpkin table runner.


For a Halloween pumpkin, or a modern style pumpkin, try using black, white, and gray fabrics.

Black, white, and gray pumpkin table topper.

At the end of the block tutorial is an additional tutorial to sew on the optional borders. This makes it easier to turn a single pumpkin block into a table topper, pot holder, candle mat, or something else! Using the 6" pumpkin block, you can make some potholders just perfect for Thanksgiving. With the 18" pumpkin, you can make a large table topper for a beautiful table centerpiece.

A pumpkin quilting tutorial is coming soon! The lines inside the pumpkin require ZERO free motion quilting, so the only hard part is marking the lines. The results are well worth, the pumpkin looks almost 3-D.

This quilt block uses super simple piecing techniques. No half square triangles (HST) or anything. I do want emphasize how important it is to follow the instructions in step 1 closely and to sew very straight lines. It is very easy for your seam to get a little crooked, or slightly curved, and then the shape of the pumpkin isn't quite right. Also, if you choose to make a big table topper, it takes some long seams to sew on the border pieces, so maintain a consistent seam allowance. Now, onto the tutorial!



Cutting Instructions

6" Block

Background Fabric
  • 4 - 1 1/2" squares
  • 2 - 1 1/2" x 3" rectangles
Pumpkin Fabric
  • 1 - 5 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle
Pumpkin Stem Fabric (use pumpkin fabric instead if desired.)
  • 1 - 1 1/2" square

9" Block

Background Fabric
  • 4 - 2" squares
  • 2 - 2" x 4 1/4" rectangles
Pumpkin Fabric
  • 1 - 8" x 9 1/2" rectangle
Pumpkin Stem Fabric (use pumpkin fabric instead if desired.)
  • 1 - 2" square

12" Block

Background Fabric
  • 4 - 2 1/2" squares
  • 2 - 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles
Pumpkin Fabric
  • 1 - 10 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle
Pumpkin Stem Fabric (use pumpkin fabric instead if desired.)
  • 1 - 2 1/2" square

18" Block

Background Fabric
  • 4 - 3 1/2" squares
  • 2 - 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangles
Pumpkin Fabric
  • 1 - 15 1/2" x 18 1/2" rectangle
Pumpkin Stem Fabric (use pumpkin fabric instead if desired.)
  • 1 - 3 1/2" square

Assembly

Step 1: Sew the background fabric squares onto the corners of the pumpkin fabric piece. Refer to the next 5 photos. Lay one square on the corner of the pumpkin fabric piece right sides together. Mark a diagonal line along the square, then sew along the line. Trim excess fabric, then press back the square. Repeat on the remaining 3 corner of the pumpkin fabric rectangle.







Step 2: Sew the pumpkin stem piece to the remaining background fabric rectangles. Press to the stem as this fabric should be darker and hide seams better.



Step 3: Sew this pumpkin stem row onto the pumpkin fabric. And you're done! Scroll down to see the instructions


Border Assembly Instructions

6" Block

Background Fabric
  • 2 - 2" x 6" strips
  • 2 - 2" x 9 1/2" strips

9" Block

Background Fabric
  • 2 - 2" x 9" strips
  • 2 - 2" x 12 1/2" strips

12" Block

Background Fabric
  • 2 - 2" x 12" strips
  • 2 - 2" x 15 1/2" strips

18" Block

Background Fabric
  • 2 - 2" x 18" strips
  • 2 - 2" x 21 1/2" strips
Step 1: Sew the shorter background fabric strips onto the sides of the pumpkin. To better hide the seams underneath the quilt top, press to the pumpkin. If you are using thick fabric that doesn't show seams, or you don't mind the seams showing, it is easier to press to the background fabric strips.




Step 2: Sew the longer background fabric strips onto the top and bottom of the pumpkin. Again, it is best to press to the pumpkin to prevent showing seams, thought not completely necessary.




Thank you for reading! Come back Friday for the pumpkin quilting tutorial.

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