Patchwork Pumpkin quilt block and table runner tutorial

In the mood for some fall-inspired sewing, but don’t have the time to take on a big project? This simple patchwork pumpkin quilt block is a quick finish and perfect for using up some of your favorite scraps.

I love white pumpkins. After making my scrappy orange pumpkin blocks a few years ago and thought it would be fun to make an updated white patchwork pumpkin version using some leftover low volume scraps. Many of the prints – both black and white – are left over from making this Halloween bunting quilt a couple of years ago.

Here are the simple instructions for this Patchwork Pumpkin quilt block tutorial as well as some other patchwork pumpkin projects to make some quick scrappy Halloween decorations.

(You can find a printable PDF version of this tutorial here for $1.50.)

Quilt Block tutorial (13 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ finished)

 Fabric requirements:

•  16 orange (or white) squares 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
• 17 black squares 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
• 1 black square 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
• 1 green square 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
• 1 black strip 1 1/2″ x 14″
• 1 black strip 1 3/4″ x 14″

To create the 16-patch pumpkin block begin by matching 4 black 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ squares with 4 orange 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ squares. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the orange squares and sew pairs together directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away from the seam to create a 1/4″ seam allowance and press blocks open, pressing seams toward the black.

Layout remaining orange 2 3/4″ squares with new half-square-triangle orange and black blocks into four rows of four.

Sew together into four rows, pressing seams in alternating directions, every other row.

Sew four rows together.

To create green stem blocks, match-up a green 2 3/4″ block with a black 2 3/4″ block. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the green and sew directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away and press block open. Match up a 1 1/2″ square in the corner of the green triangle. Draw a diagonal line and sew directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away and press corner open. Repeat four times to make 5 stem blocks.

To create stem row, use 3 other black 2 3/4″ squares and sew together into a row of four. Press seams all one direction.

Attach stem rows to the ‘top’ of each of the 5 pumpkin blocks.

Sew two rows of five 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ black squares. Sew to both sides of the pumpkin block. Add black 1 1/2″ x 14″ strip to the top of the block and black 1 3/4″ strip to the bottom of the block.

To use as a pillow, use your favorite pillow finishing method and stuff with a 14″ x 14″ pillow form.

For the white pumpkin patchwork pillow I wanted a slightly larger size so I added an additional border to the outside for a 16″ x 16″ pillow.

I cut 2 outside border strips 2″ x 14″ (for the sides) an 2 strips 2″ x 16 1/2″ for the top and bottom.

To give the pumpkin a little texture, I quilted the patchwork block on a scrap of batting. Here are some simple machine quilting basics. If you choose to add some quilting, do this step before you make it into a pillow. Use a batting scrap bigger than the block itself while you add the quilting and then trim the sides so that you have clean edges.

To finish the pillow I used this method for cutting a back and adding outside binding. I love the way the black binding around the edge pops!

This patchwork pumpkin quilt block is super versatile. Here’s an option for making a patchwork pumpkin Halloween table runner.

The table runner tutorial includes a variety of styles of pumpkin blocks to make it an even scrappier and unpredictable patch of pumpkins, good for showing off larger pumpkin prints as well. This row version could be easily replicated to make an entire quilt.

Table Runner Tutorial 15 1/4″ x 57 1/2″

Fabric Requirements for the table runner:

• 4-5 assorted orange and black fat quarters or assorted scraps
• Sashing 1/2 yard black print (I used the black spiders from Too Cute to Spook)
• Green solid: 1/8 yard
• Gingham Binding: 3/8 yard
• Backing: 1 1/8 yard

Cutting

From assorted oranges cut:

2 squares 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″

8 squares 5″ x 5″

16 squares 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

From black sashing yardage cut:

5 strips 2 1/2″ x 42″. Sub cut 2 strips into 6 pieces 2 1/2″ x 11 3/4″. Use remaining strips to create two 2 1/2″ x 57 1/2″ border strips.

From black scraps (including sashing print) cut:

40 squares 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

5 squares 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″

From green cut:

5 squares 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

From binding cut 4 strips 2 1/2″ x 42″

Take four of the 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ black squares and draw one diagonal line across them. Place them in the four corners of the 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ orange blocks. Sew directly on all four diagonal lines.

Trim 1/4″ away and press new corners open, pressing seams toward the black.

Sew 2 four-patch blocks with the eight 5″ x 5″ squares and add corners to those blocks as well.

To create the 16-patch pumpkin block begin by matching 4 black 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ squares with 4 orange 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ squares. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the orange squares and sew pairs together directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away from the seam to create a 1/4″ seam allowance and press blocks open, pressing seams toward the black.

Layout remaining orange 2 3/4″ squares with new half-square-triangle orange and black blocks into four rows of four.

Sew together into four rows, pressing seams in alternating directions, every other row.

Sew four rows together.

To create green stem blocks, match-up a green 2 3/4″ block with a black 2 3/4″ block. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the green and sew directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away and press block open. Match up a 1 1/2″ square in the corner of the green triangle. Draw a diagonal line and sew directly on the line. Trim 1/4″ away and press corner open. Repeat four times to make 5 stem blocks.

To create stem row, use 3 other black 2 3/4″ squares and sew together into a row of four. Press seams all one direction.

Attach stem rows to the ‘top’ of each of the 5 pumpkin blocks.

Layout five pumpkins in a row, rotating the second and the fourth the opposite direction. Sew the six 2 1/2″ x 11 3/4″ strips alternating between the five pumpkins and at both ends. Press seams towards the sashing strips.

Add two 2 1/2″ x 60″ strips to top and bottom of row of pumpkins. Press toward the sashing strips.

From backing fabric cut two 20″ x 42″ pieces and sew them together end to end. Trim backing to 20″ x 66″. Now you are ready to quilt. Baste top and bottom pieces with batting in between.

Quilt as desired. I used simple straight cross-hatching lines. (For more details about basting and quilting see this post.)

Sew four 2 1/2″ x 42″ gingham strips together end to end to create binding. Binding a quilt tutorial here.

And there you go – a simple patchwork pumpkin Halloween quilt table runner. You could easily multiply this project by six, creating six rows to make a darling Halloween quilt.

Happy sewing and spooking!

If you would like a printable PDF version of this tutorial, you can find one here for $1.50.

If you’re in the mood for more Fall and Halloween-inspired sewing projects, click here for a list of over 45 Fall Quilting and Sewing Projects.