Our free pumpkin quilt pattern is the autumn decor you've been dreaming of
Modern, cute and perfect for Halloween, Amanda McCabe has created the loveliest pumpkin quilt pattern just for you. This modern mini quilt puts a fun twist on the traditional Log Cabin quilt in rich ombré shades of orange and blue. It's fun autumn decor without the spook!
These pumpkins can be made from fabric scraps which makes this a perfect stash buster project. Raid your fabric scraps to create the perfect ombre palette. For more fun autumn projects, check out our autumn applique designs and our autumn craft ideas.
If you’re new to the world of quilting don’t worry. We have a beginner’s guide to quilting as well as a how to use a sewing machine tutorial.
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How to make a pumpkin mini quilt
You will need
- Light pink (Petal): one (1) fat quarter
- Medium pink (Candy Pink): one (1) fat quarter
- Coral (Nectarine): one (1) fat quarter
- Orange (Flame): one (1) fat eighth
- Mint (Aruba): one (1) fat eighth
- Aqua (Pool): one (1) fat eighth
- Light teal (Jade Green): one (1) fat eighth
- Dark teal (Glacier): one (1) fat eighth
- Brown (Earth): one (1) fat eighth
- Background (Bone): 3/8yd
- Binding fabric: 1/4yd
- Batting: 27in square
- Backing fabric: 3/4yd
Finished size
19in square
Notes
- Seam allowances are ¼in throughout.
- Press seams to one side.
- RST= right sides together.
- WOF = width of fabric.
- Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com)
- Find the full shades of Kona Cotton Solids at woolwarehouse.co.uk
Fabrics Used
- Solids are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman in Bone, Petal, Candy Pink, Nectarine, Flame, Aruba, Pool, Jade Green, Glacier and Earth.
- Backing fabric is Orangeade from Collection CF by Carolyn Friedlander.
Cutting out
Step one
From the background fabric cut:
- Sixteen (16) 11/4in squares (A).
- Eight (8) 11/2in squares (B).
- Eight (8) 21/2in x 13/8in (C).
- Four (4) 13/4in x 51/4in (D).
- Four (4) 3in x 15/8in (E).
- Two (2) 31/4in x 73/8in (F).
- Two (2) 13/4in x 73/8in (G).
- Two (2) 23/8inx 20in (H).
- One (1) 11/2in x 20in (I).
- Six (6) 11/4in squares (J).
Step two
From the light pink fabric cut:
- Two (2) 51/2in squares (K).
- Two (2) 61/2in squares (L).
Step three
From the medium pink fabric cut:
- Eight (8) 37/8in squares (M).
- Eight (8) 41/2in squares (N).
Step four
From the coral fabric cut:
- Eight (8) 3in squares (O).
- Eight (8) 31/2in squares (P).
Looking for more autumn quilts?
Head over to the Gathered Shop where you can find a huge array of gorgeous quilt designs, including this beautiful pattern!
Step five
From the orange fabric cut:
- Eight (8) 21/8in squares (Q).
- Eight (8) 21/2in squares (R).
Step six
From the mint fabric cut:
- Two (2) 51/2in squares (S).
Step seven
From the aqua fabric cut:
- Eight (8) 37/8in squares (T).
Step eight
From the light teal fabric cut:
Eight (8) 3in squares (U).
Step nine
From the dark teal fabric cut:
- Eight (8) 21/8in squares (V).
Step ten
From the brown fabric cut:
- Four (4) 13/8in x 11/4in (W).
- Two (2) 15/8in x 11/4in (X).
Step eleven
From the binding fabric cut:
- Three (3) 21/2in x WOF
Piecing the pumpkin centres
Step twelve
Begin by piecing a large pumpkin centre. Gather one N, P, R and B square. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each square.
Step thirteen
Place the N square in one corner of an L square, RST. Sew along the marked line, trim ¼in from the line and press the corner open. Repeat one at a time with the P, R and B square in the same corner (Fig 1).
Step fourteen
Repeat steps 12–13, working on one corner at a time to add the stripes to all four corners of the L piece (Fig 2). Trim to the pumpkin centre to 61/4in square, carefully centring the unit.
Step fifteen
Repeat steps 12–14 to make a second large pumpkin centre. Then use the same process to make two small pumpkin centres using the pink/orange squares and the two small pumpkin centres using the blue/green pieces.
Refer to Fig 3 for the position of the pieces for each unit. Trim each small unit to 5¼in square.
Piecing the stems
Step sixteen
Take one J square and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric. Place in the top right corner of X, sew along the marked line, trim and press the corner open. Sew an E piece to either side to make one large stem unit (Fig 4). Repeat to make a second large stem unit.
Top tip: Once you've made one pumpkin unit, try chain piecing the rest of them to speed up the process
Step seventeen
Repeat the process in step 16, sewing a J corner to the top of W. Then sew a C piece to either side to make a small stem unit (Fig 5). Repeat to make four small stem units.
Assembling the quilt top
Step eighteen
Arrange the pumpkin centres and stems, referring to the Layout Diagram. Sew the stems to the tops of each pumpkin centre. Then sew a D piece to the top of each small pumpkin.
Step nineteen
Sew the pumpkins together in two rows. Join a G and F piece to the sides, referring to the Layout Diagram for which side to sew each piece. Join the two rows with an I piece in between. Then sew H to the top and bottom. Square up the top to 19in square, carefully centring, to complete the quilt top.
Quilting and Finishing
Step twenty
Press the quilt top and backing well. Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the quilt top centrally and right side up. Baste the layers together using your preferred method.
Step twenty-one
Quilt as desired. Amanda quilted a grid of straight vertical and horizontal lines. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the quilt.
Step twenty-two
Sew binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open. Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together, and press. Sew the binding to the right side of the quilt, creating a neat mitre at each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place to finish.
Stitch this mini pumpkin quilt this autumn
This sweet mini quilt is the perfect project to work on throughout the autumnal season. Customise the colours for a spookier feel (think blacks, oranges and purples) or keep the quilt light, making it perfect for hanging all year round.
Discover more autumnal quilt patterns
Fall in love with autumn with our favourite fall quilt patterns!
