Whimsical Fall Topper

I found this post unpublished so figure I'll go ahead and publish it for now and I'll do another one next fall when I add the binding.

I see I put in a few cutting instructions and you can see a bit of my creative process.

I created my own design but was inspired by two quilt toppers, which you can see further down in the post.

Some Cutting Instructions:

For each 9 inch finished Churn Dash block, make four 3 1/2" HSTs, four Bar blocks (made with two rectangles, one color and one background, 2 x 3 1/2", and a center background square that is 3 1/2"

For each Pumpkin block, cut one pumpkin color 8 x 9 1/2", one stem is 1 1/2 x 2", and two background 2 x 4 1/2" rectangles (which are sewed to each side of the stem.  To round the pumpkin, use four 2 1/2" squares.

For the bigger 9 patch blocks, cut 3 1/2" squares as shown and sew together and trim to 9 1/2"  Note:  If I make this again, I will make the colorful squares in the corners and the center, instead of the background squares.

For the 4 patch blocks; cut 2 inch squares (2 color and 2 background)

For the friendship stars:  Cut four 1 1/2" background squares and one 1 1/2" colorful square for the center.  To make the four HSTs cut a 2 5/8" square of each background and colorful fabric and sew together around the perimeter and then slice diagonally twice, press open and trim each square to 1 1/2"

For the Flying geese (to make four) cut a colorful square 4 1/4" and cut diagonally twice.  Of background cut two 3 1/2 inch squares and also cut diagonally twice.  Sew the smaller triangles to each side of one colorful triangle to create a 2 x 3 1/2 flying geese block.

Use the stitch and flip method to create the rounded upper parts of the heart and the lower angle.  Remember each side is a mirror image.  Sew together and trim to 3 1/2"  Note:  on my heart which is pictured, I used a 3/4" square instead of a 1" square but I think it would look better if it were a 1" square.

Inspiration for my Fall Topper.  The first one is called Pumpkin Patch by Buttermilk Basin and the 2nd one is called Pumpkin Dash by Lori Pengally.

  

 

A Couple of Christmas Quilt Finishes

I started and completed this quilt within a few weeks.  Patchwork ten inch squares go together fairly quickly.  Added some borders and stripe-y binding.

Sort of a trip around the world layout

Some of the fabrics have a Christmas theme but with the blue squares, it gives it a winter-y look, so I'm going to keep it on the bed for a few weeks.  Time to make a Valentine quilt maybe?

I had made this tree with half square triangles (I think it might be a laundry basket pattern) a few years ago.  This year, I was happy to make lots of 12 1/2" star blocks to add around the border and make it queen size to make a gift for my friend.

Free motion embroidery and striped binding

 

After washing.  It shrunk about 5 or 6 inches.