Grateful Hearts & Autumn Nights Quilt Finish
November has always felt like a gentle pause between the rush of the year and the anticipation of what’s next. I love fall season even though we don’t have seasons in Malaysia, the thoughts of fall always remain in my heart. It was my favourite season when I was in Australia. The air turns softer, the evenings grow longer, and everything seems to slow down just a little — inviting us to reflect, to rest, and to be grateful.
This year, I’ve been reminding myself to truly enjoy the moment while it lasts. It’s so easy to get caught up worrying about what December will bring, what winter might feel like, or what the new year holds. But November — with its cozy colors and slower pace — is a beautiful reminder to focus on the now. To enjoy the blessings we already have today. A quiet sewing evening. A warm drink. A finished quilt.
And speaking of quilts… my Autumn Nights Quilt is finally finished! This is a free pattern and a recently finished quilt-along –> Autumn Nights Quilt Along.
It’s amazing what a fat quarter bundle and a free pattern can become — see how this fall quilt turned out, you’ll want to see the little tiny pumpkins that I quilted in this quilt!! Enjoy all the photos below.
A Cozy Fall Quilt to Warm the Season
This quilt has been sitting in my “almost done” pile for a quick moment, and I’m so glad I finally brought it across the finish line. If you’re looking for autumn quilt patterns, try the Autumn Nights Quilt. It is a free pattern by Fat Quarter Shop , and it’s such a fun project to make — perfect for using a fat quarter bundle.
I used the Awe of Autumn fabric collection by Sandy Gervais, and honestly, it couldn’t be more fitting for the season. The mix of burnt orange, golden yellow, rustic red, and deep brown just makes my heart sing. Every time I look at it, I feel like I’m wrapped in the essence of fall. 🍁
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love working with fat quarter bundles — they’re so versatile, and you can make a decent-sized quilt without committing to a full yardage of each print. This project was the perfect way to make use of every piece, and I loved how all the prints played together in harmony.
Fabrics, Quilting Tools and Notions I used:
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- Fabric Collection Riley Blake Designs – The Awe of Autumn by Sandy Gervais
- My trusted workhorse, Janome Horizon Memory Craft QCP8200
- I used Superior Thread Snow for piecing this quilt
- My favourite Ergonomic Rotary Cutter – this have saved my wrist a lot!
- Large cutting Mat
- Wool ironing Mat (I have no issues with the smell, but sometimes it can burn if the iron is way too hot and no steam)
- Oliso Pro Iron (I love this Iron, it lifts as you let go, saving the wrist from too much work and it gives a good heat and steam)
- Portable Design Board
- Quilter’s Clapper
- Wooden Seam Roller
- Diagonal Seam Tape – the tape I have on my machine to guide my 1/4″ seams and diagonal stitching. Game changing! Buy the original, it’s worth it and it will last for a very long time.
- This set of super sharp Pins
These little helpers make the entire quilting process smoother, and when you’re deep in a creative zone, you really appreciate good tools that make the experience effortless.
Free Motion Quilting – Loops and Pumpkins 🎃
Once the quilt top was ready, I spent just one full day quilting it out. It was such a satisfying finish! I recorded the whole process for my students in the Free Motion Quilting Bootcamp, and it will soon be part of the bonus lessons in the program.
One thing I often hear from my students is how hard it can be to imagine quilting a real-size quilt on a domestic machine. That’s why I love sharing behind-the-scenes videos like this — it’s like you’re quilting right next to me! You get to see how I maneuver the quilt, how I handle the bulk, and how I keep my stitches flowing smoothly.
For this quilt, I went with a loop quilting pattern featuring cute little pumpkins. It was so much fun! It’s one of my favorite free motion quilting designs for fall — simple, quick, and full of character. The pumpkin quilting design stitches up beautifully, and it’s perfect if you’re an advanced beginner looking to try something more playful.
In total, I spent around 1.5 to 2 hours quilting. It was relaxing, almost meditative — just me, my machine, and the hum of stitches bringing everything to life.
A Cozy Fall Quilt – Borders, Binding & Labels
For the border, I picked my absolute favorite fabric from the Awe of Autumn collection. Isn’t it just intense and gorgeously warm? It frames the quilt beautifully, adding that cozy fall vibe I was going for.
Before I started quilting, I sewed in the quilt label — and I’m so glad I did! The label colors matched perfectly, and it added that professional, finished touch. For those who are part of my Quilt Label Wizard, this label design is one of the 100+ templates you can choose from. It’s one of my favorites for fall projects — elegant, simple, and versatile.
For the binding, I used the brown fabric with tiny prints. I didn’t want the edge to distract from the borders or blocks, so a blended fabric worked perfectly. The autumn quilt colors really shines with this collection.
Gifting it to Mom
This quilt is extra special because it’s going to my mom. I’ve been wanting to make something for her that captures the warmth of fall — something she can use as a wall hanging quilt or a fall table topper quilt.
My mom has always loved deep, earthy colors, and this palette fits her perfectly. I can already imagine it topping her dining table or hanging in her cozy living room corner. It makes me so happy to think of it brightening her space.
There’s something incredibly fulfilling about gifting a handmade quilt. Each stitch carries a little piece of your heart. And when it’s for someone who’s been there from the very start — it feels even more meaningful.
Fall Quilt Patterns You’ll Love
There are lots of seasonal patterns that you can try out for the fall and here are some that you may like:
Fall-autumn patterns:
- 🍁 Cozy Cabin Quilt Pattern – perfect for fat quarters and panels
- 🎃 Pumpkin Patch Table Runner – quick and beginner-friendly.
- 🍂 Autumn Leaf Mini Quilt – great for scraps and small decor pieces.
And if you’re looking for fun fabrics on sale, don’t forget to check this page. It’s a great time to stock up on fall quilt fabrics before the season ends! CHECK OUT SALE FABRICS HERE>>
And here are some other options for Fall fabric:
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- Moda Fabric – Autumn Forest, the rich warm colors are so cozy!
- Andover Fabrics – Autumn Woods is a beautiful earthy collections too.
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Wilmington Prints – Glorious Fall – a seasonal collection filled with pumpkins, leaves, and trucks that are ideal for table runners or cozy living room throws. Check out the panels too! I love a beautiful panel for a quick project.
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Or if you love batiks or want to add to your current collections of fall fabrics, check out all the fall theme batiks by Hoffman Fabrics HERE>.
Final Thoughts – Small Finishes, Big Joy
As I stitched the last few inches of the binding, I couldn’t help but smile. This Autumn Nights Quilt isn’t just a finish — it’s a quiet reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple joy of creating something beautiful with our hands.
Even though this is a small finish, it is surely a joy to get done — a satisfying reminder that progress, no matter how small, still counts.
So, here’s to November — to gratitude, to slowing down, and to cozy quilts that make our hearts full. 💛
Have you finished any fall quilts lately? I’d love to see them!
Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below — let’s celebrate this season of gratitude and creativity together.
linking to: Melva Scraps, Wednesday Weight Loss
