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I found this post unpublished so figure I'll go ahead and publish it for now and I'll do another one next fall when I add the binding.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

  

I mostly love the border of the first one and the second one I also love but wanted to make one with less applique.

I ended up turning my churn dash blocks on point.

I added some applique to give it a bit of whimsicalness.

The little birds facing the heart are so cute!

I added some friendship stars and flying geese, pumpkins in the corners

See how it would be better if the colored blocks were in the corners

Originally the plan was to have the big maple leaves in the corners but eventually decided to just have some little ones in the final border.

You can see there are all sorts of possibilities and there's even a cat head to the right of that bottom pumpkin, but he didn't make the cut along with the maple leaves.

Fun but a little frustrating trying to make the final plan

I love designing and look forward to many more fun and whimsical designs in my future (but just a little applique as it's not my favorite!)