🍂 Scrappy Pumpkin Quilt Block — Cozy Autumn Sewing Inspiration

There’s something magical about fall sewing — the warm colours, the scent of pumpkin spice in the air, and that comforting feeling of being surrounded by fabric in shades of orange, brown, and gold. Every year, I find myself drawn to pumpkin quilt blocks, and this season I’m sewing the Scrappy Pumpkin Quilt Block as part of the Autumn Nights Quilt Along.

This block has completely stolen my heart. It’s charming, beginner-friendly, and gives off that bit of autumn coziness I love to bring into my sewing space. The best part? It’s a free pattern — and you can easily use the block for other fun projects like table runners, mug rugs, or even mini wall hangings.

👉 Get the Free Pumpkin Quilt Block Pattern Here.

🍁 My Fabric Choice — Awe of Autumn by Sandy Gervais

If you’ve been following along in past blogpost,  I’m using the Awe of Autumn fabric collection by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs. The variety of orange fabrics, soft browns, and deep mustard tones in this line are absolutely stunning. They create such an organic feeling that’s both rustic and warm. Each fat quarter in the bundle feels like a walk through a pumpkin patch — full of texture, movement, and cozy vibes. I am so in love with this collection!

I love how different fabrics come together in this collection — small florals, tiny dots, tone-on-tone leaves, and plaid prints all mix beautifully for a scrappy look that feels natural. The fabrics instantly spark inspiration the moment I lay them out on my cutting mat.

When sewing the pumpkin fabric pieces, I like to pull from several prints in the collection — mixing them gives my pumpkin block pattern depth and visual interest. Even the background fabrics I chose are a soft beige with subtle speckles, which keeps the block light and balanced without overpowering the pumpkin itself.

Fabrics, Quilting Tools and Notions I used:

• 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 

🎃 Why I Love This Pumpkin Quilt Block

This week in the Autumn Night Quilt Along we’re stitching up the wonky star block—and let me tell you, these are such a joy to sew! There’s something so fun about those wonky star points—each block feels perfectly imperfect in the most charming way.

I’m especially loving the cozy, warm colors in the fabric collection I chose. The autumn tones paired with a classic plaid really make these stars glow with that seasonal, snuggly vibe. 🍂

The best part? The block pattern for this week is completely FREE as part of the Autumn Mystery Quilt Along by Fat Quarter Shop. If you haven’t joined yet, it’s not too late to jump in!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to quilt for—the cozy colors, the warm textures, and of course, the excuse to start all the autumn projects. Whether you’re making a table runner for your living room, a seasonal mini quilt, or even a playful Halloween quilt, fall quilting fabric collections always bring a special warmth.

This year, I’ve spotted a collection of fall fabric lines from some of our favorite designers—perfect for sewing up beautiful projects. Even better? There’s a free pattern coming soon as part of a mystery quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop, complete with a step-by-step video tutorial. I’ll be quilting right along with it!

I joined them a few years back with halloween theme and Christmas ones, but this time round it’ll be fall-themed!

• Mystery Quilt Along – Halloween Themed – Boo Crew
• Mystery Quilt Along – All the Trimmings
• Mystery Quilt Along – Star of Wonder

✨ Autumn & Fall Quilting Fabric Highlights

Here are some stunning new releases and timeless brands that shine in fall quilting:

• Riley Blake Designs – The Awe of Autumn by Sandy Gervais –  are full of earthy oranges, rustic browns, and minty greens. These are the fabrics I’ll be using in the upcoming mystery quilt along.

• Moda Fabric – Autumn Forest, the rich warm colors are so cozy!
• Andover Fabrics – Autumn Woods is a beautiful earthy collections too.

• 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.

• 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>. 

With so many options, it’s hard to pick just one! Personally, I love mixing and matching layer cakes and fat quartersfrom different brands—it keeps things interesting and truly unique.

🧵 The Autumn Nights Mystery Quilt Along

Now for the fun part! Fat Quarter Shop is hosting the Autumn Nights Mystery Quilt and Stitch Along, and it’s completely FREE to join.

Details:

• Dates: Begins August 26 and runs for four weeks.

• Format: Each Monday, a new free pattern block is released. Each Tuesday, Kimberly Jolly shares a video tutorial to walk you through the steps.

• Fabric: The featured version uses the Agatha Road collection by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda (Grab the Quilt Kit HERE>), but you can use any autumn fabric you love—like me, I’m using Sandy Gervais’s new line.

• Early Access: For those who don’t like surprises, you can purchase the complete PDF pattern early (available August 25).

👉 You can check out the official details here on the Fat Quarter Shop site.

🍁 My Plan

I’ll be quilting along each week, but instead of Agatha Road, I’ll be making mine with Sandy Gervais’s fall quilting fabric collection. I think it will be so much fun to see how this mystery quilt pattern turns out with a different collection.

Whether you’re using layer cakes, fat quarters, or even scraps, this quilt along is perfect for diving into your stash—or finally cutting into that bundle you’ve been saving. I’ll be sharing updates weekly here on the blog and Instagram, and I’d love to see your progress too!

💡 Why You’ll Love It

• Surprise Factor: The final quilt design is a mystery until the end.

• Easy to Follow: Free weekly patterns + video tutorials make it beginner-friendly.

• Community: Join thousands of quilters sewing along together. This is why I love quilt alongs! I get to see other quilter’s version and join in the fun sewing a quilt together.

• Versatility: Works with almost any autumn collection—from Riley Blake Designs to Hoffman Fabrics.

And the best part? You can join even for making one block! 

🍂 Ready to Quilt Along?

Gather your collection of fall fabrics, prep your sewing space, and let’s stitch together! The first free pattern clue drops on August 26, so grab your fat quarters or layer cakes, pick your favorite line, and join the fun.

I’ll be sharing my journey with this mystery quilt on the blog and Instagram. I can’t wait to see how everyone’s quilts turn out—whether you’re using Moda Fabrics, Riley Blake Designs, Wilmington Prints, or even something scrappy from your own stash!

🍂 So tell me—which fall quilting fabric collection are you planning to use for the Autumn Nights Quilt Along?Comment below—I’d love to know!

Click HERE to grab the Autumn Night Early Access PDF pattern or wait until August 28th to grab the first reveal of the pattern for FREE. 

✨ Free Motion Quilting Class Summit 2025 – Learn, Quilt, and Be Inspired

Are you ready to take your quilting journey to the next level? Whether you’re a newbie quilter working on your first quilt or an experienced quilter with lots of new pieced tops waiting to be finished, the Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025 is the perfect event for you.

Happening August 20–22, 2025, this free-motion quilting event features 17 fantastic instructors (including me!) teaching video tutorials, free motion quilting classes on techniques you can use on your own quilts — right from your home sewing machine or domestic machine with a free motion foot.

👉 Reserve your free ticket here

Quilt Guilt 

Can we pause for a second and talk about quilt guilt?

You know the feeling—when you see that pile of unfinished quilts and think, “Ugh, I really should finish that…” Or when you scroll through social media and someone has just posted another beautifully bound quilt while yours is still just blocks in a bin.

It’s easy to let that guilt creep in. We tell ourselves things like:

• “I’m not disciplined enough.”

• “I should finish what I start.”

• “Why can’t I be more productive like her (that one person who seems to have it all)?”

But here’s the thing I’ve learned: GUILT has NO PLACE in our creativity.

It’s been a slower season in the sewing room lately. Life has been full, and my stitching time feels like tiny pockets here and there rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. But even so, I’ve found that moving a few projects a little closer to the finish line—bit by bit—has brought a fresh spark of joy.

I’ve been hopping between projects, and surprisingly, that shift in pace has made things feel exciting again. Each time I pick up something different, it feels like I’m reuniting with a friend I haven’t seen in a while.

There are affiliate links within this post which are meant to make it easy for you to find things at no cost to you at all. Find full disclosure here. 

Strippy Spool Quilt

First up is the Strippy Spools quilt—such a fun one! It’s part of a quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop using their pattern and a jelly roll, making it super quick and satisfying to piece. I was on a roll (pun intended!) until the quilt top grew a little too large, and I found myself pausing.

I had originally planned to baste it this week, but as I laid it out, something didn’t quite sit right. That final border just wasn’t quite me. Seems a little narrow to be binding it already. So, I’ve decided to add another round of borders using a different fabric—something that feels more cohesive. I’ll be binding it with the same fabric to pull it all together. Just that little creative decision already has me excited to finish it.

Strippy Spool Links

• Strippy Spool Quilt Pattern
• Lori Holt Jelly Roll
• Novodon Wool Mat – absolutely love the size of this mat! made pressing large quilt top so much easier, and I tend to keep my mat clean and clear which makes it a great surface to play with new projects. A clear surface is always a great start.
• Essex linen for the spool itself were from my old hoarded stash. Can’t find a suitable link to it. 
• Oliso Iron 

Prairie Pastures Table Runner

Next is a table runner made using a pattern from the Prairie Home book. Oh my goodness, this book is such a gem—packed with beautiful patterns, and honestly, I’d love to make every single one of them someday.

I started with the Prairie Pastures table runner and made mine a bit shorter to suit my smaller table. Even so, it turned out a bit large—but I love how it looks. Over the past week, I managed to sneak in some time to free motion quilt it, choosing my go-to design: a meandering zigzag. It’s quick, fun, and gives just the right texture without too much fuss. So happy to call this one quilted! I’ll be binding this and maybe gift it away unless I can get a larger surface to use it on. 

Prairie Pastures Table Runner Links:

• Prairie Home Quilt Book. by Lori Holt which you can grab HERE>
• Lori Holt Bundles
• Lori Holt Low volume bundle

A Fresh Start: Flower Farm Sampler Quilt

And finally, to breathe a little spark into my creative space again, I pulled out some stash fabrics to start the Flower Farm Sampler Quilt. I know I haven’t finished my previous blocks from the other sew along… but this quilt has been calling to me! The design is just stunning, and the book’s instructions are incredibly well done—colorful diagrams, clear steps, and that irresistible sampler vibe.

Sometimes, all you need is to start something new to bring joy back into your routine—and that’s exactly what I think this quilt is going to be for me.

Flower Farm Sampler Links:

• Flower Farm Sampler Quilt Book: I’m using Kindle Unlimited for this which you can find HERE>, or you can grab a physical copy HERE>
• Fabrics are from my stash. But I’m happy to report, some of these are being reprinted! Check out Heather Ross’s New Collections HERE>

I might not be finishing things at lightning speed, but there’s beauty in slow progress. Every stitch, every choice, every moment in the sewing room adds up. Whether I’m quilting for five minutes or fifty, I’m grateful for the calm and creativity it brings into my days.

Thanks for catching up with me! What are you working on lately? I’d love to hear what’s bringing you joy in your sewing space at the moment.

Linking to: 

• Design Wall Monday
• Sew & Tell
• Monday Musings
• Put Your Foot Down

Your sewing room is more than just a corner with a machine — it’s a haven. A space filled with fabric, color, memories, and comfort. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, your sewing mojo just disappears. You walk in, glance at your sewing station, and suddenly, every project feels like too much.

Whether it’s the time of year, the world’s unpredictability, or simply a busy life, losing motivation to sew is incredibly common. But the best thing about sewing is that you can always begin again — gently, and on your own terms.

Currently, I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by everything happening in the world. There’s a mix of worry, sadness, and uncertainty — and while those feelings are valid, I’ve realized they don’t always lead to anything productive. What has helped me is gently turning my focus back to my sewing. As I begin to find my sewing mojo again, I’m reminded how healing it feels to immerse myself in the simple, grounding comfort of stitching fabric together. Sewing doesn’t fix everything, but it gives me a place to breathe — and that’s more than enough right now.

So today I’m sharing some of the things that I find works when it comes to find my sewing mojo back on track. 

Here’s my Janome quilting machine review. 

Late to the party, but still in June! So, Happy National Sewing Machine Day! 🎉

Today, I’m sharing a long-overdue love letter (and honest review) to my sewing room workhorse—the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC, which I’ve owned since 2013. 11 Years In and Still Going Strong. If you’re a quilter thinking about upgrading your sewing machine, especially for free-motion quilting or working on large quilts, this post is for you.

✨ Why I Upgraded to the Janome Horizon

Before getting the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QC, I was quilting on a much smaller domestic machine, also a Janome, Janome DC4020 – which you can see in my earlier posts and in the photo below. And while I could finish a quilt on it (and did, many times), it was never easy. Wrestling a large quilt through a small throat space can be exhausting—and honestly frustrating.

But I loved it too. We work with what we can afford and have right?