Fall-Themed Quilts and Sewing Projects and Inspiration

It’s had to believe it’s summer is over! Even though it’s still pretty warm around here, the air is starting to feel different and that fall feeling is starting to creep in. My flowers are starting to fade a little but my tomatoes are coming on strong. It’s my favorite time of the year. That has put me in the mood to start pulling out some Fall-themed sewing projects and quilts. 

I started these wool applique blocks a couple of years ago. The wool quilt blocks were made using Lori Holt’s Autumn Love shapes and quilt-along. I pulled out my stash of Lori Holt fabrics from various recent collections (I love how they all play so well together) to make some coordinating pieced blocks. It was so fun to finish it up last fall. You can see my finished Autumn Love sampler here.

45 Favorite Fall-Themed Sewing Projects

I thought it would be fun to share a variety of Fall-themed quilts and sewing projects I’ve made or discovered over the years in case you’re in the mood to start something Autumn-flavored yourself. Every year I keep finding great new ones and the list keeps growing!

Some of these patterns are free online tutorials, others are more detailed quilt patterns to purchase from creative designers. Enjoy!

*this post contains affiliate links

Leaf Quilt Block Ideas

This is my version of a Modern Maples quilt – taking a traditional maple leaf block and blowing it up to a large, graphic shape. These blocks measure 12″ x 12″ finished (12.5″ x 12.5″ unfinished). It’s still one of my all-time favorite quilts.

The Maple Leaf quilt block is a traditional classic.  You can find a tutorial for a traditional Maple Leaf quilt block in three different sizes here.

I’m totally loving Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew’s fresh take on a traditional leaf block in her Autumn Leaves quilt.

Here’s maple leaf quilt block using a foundation paper-piecing method by Leila Gardunia that’s perfect for using up scraps.

And if you’re looking for something even more advanced (and amazing!) check out this paper-pieced Leaf Pattern from Center Street Quilts.

Autumn Glow pattern by Amber of Gigi’s Thimble

Amber is hosting an Autumn Glow quilt along for 2021 if you want to join in. 

Lori Holt, the jedi master of adorable sampler quilts, has designed this beautiful Autumn Love quilt. This is the tutorial/templates I used for my wool applique blocks above.

You will need to buy the reusable Autumn Love plastic templates for the shapes, but the quilt pattern is free as Lori walks you through making all of the blocks on her blog (see the sidebar for the individual block instructions).

Fall Colored Patchwork

Some years (most) I haven’t had time to make a big fall-themed project, but the colors are in my head and begging to be played with. So I get that out of my system by making small projects like patchwork pillows or table runners. I still love this simple fall-inspired Broken Dishes patchwork pillow. It was a perfect project for playing with fall-themed-fabric and colors.

Here is a simple tutorial for a quilt-as-you-go table runner.

Another example would be a quick mini quilt. This one is made with the 2 1/2″ charm squares (Quilter’s Candy by Moda). I supplemented with more prints from my stash. Tutorial here.

Here are a few other smaller scale fall-themed projects:

Scrappy Pumpkin Table Runner tutorial by Andy of A Bright Corner.

Adorable Acorn ornament tutorial by Nadra of Ellis and Higgs.

Quilted Leaf Coaster Tutorial by Sedef Imer of Down Grapevine Lane

Allison also has a free tutorial for this fun applique tree – another great one for scraps

Lori Holt’s adorable apple blocks. I need to make some of these one of these days…

 

Here’s another fun, scrappy Sweet Apples quilt by Nadra of Ellis and Higgs.

Nadra also has a really fun selection of Fall-themed quilt blocks that can be bought or made individually or your can find the bundle of six patterns + finishing instructions here.

One of my favorite fall motifs will always be pumpkins. And there are so many cute patchwork pumpkin projects (say that 5 times fast) out there. One of my favorite – and most popular – pumpkin projects is this super simple, scrappy Patchwork Pumpkin quilt block. I made mine from all scraps. You can find the tutorial here.

The tutorial contains an added variation for making a whole pumpkin-patch table runner.

Allison, of Cluck Cluck Sew, has created a great pumpkin quilt pattern perfect for scrappy sewing.

Allison also created a Pumpkin Mini quilt version – if you’re looking for a smaller project or a quick pumpkin fix.

And I’m totally smitten by these gingham pumpkins in this Plaid Pumpkins Quilt by Center Street Design.

And I think I’m even more smitten by these scrappy pumpkins in the Hocus Pocus quilt by Margot from The Pattern Basket.

Cutest wool pumpkin banner tutorial from Amy Chappell of Ameroonie Designs. I especially love the three-dimensional wool flowers.

Hello Melly Designs has an adorable free pattern for this Gingham + Pumpkins quilted table runner.

Amy of Ameroonie Designs also has a great free tutorial for 3-dimensional stuffed pumpkins. You could easily make them in more neutral fall colors for decor to last through the whole season.

In addition to overall Fall-themed sewing projects there are also a lot of really fun options for fall holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Halloween Quilts and Sewing Projects

This Halloween Bunting quilt is made using my Summer Bunting quilt pattern. It’s a perfect quilt for showing off big, fun Halloween prints. It’s also a great example of showing how easy it is the make a Halloween-themed quilt by simply using Halloween or Orange and Black prints in any quilt. Here are a few more examples:

This Solstice Lights quilt by Cotton & Joy is not made with any Halloween-themed fabrics, but using orange, black, and grays gives it the Fall/Halloween vibe.

This simple Halloween quilt is perfect for showing off cute novelty Halloween prints. This quilt pattern is similar to my Lattice Quilt Pattern.

This is our Halloween quilt I made a few years ago. I wanted to do something modern in Halloween colors that would use up lots of scraps as well as the assortment of novelty prints I’d collected over the years.  This is a fun style if you’re not as into novelty prints, but want to make something just in fall or Halloween colors, like this one by Allison Harris, which very much inspired my own quilt.

These quilts have a definite Halloween vibe:  Polkadot Chair’s adorable quilt called Halloween Haberdashery. You can find the pattern here.

I love the creativity and whimsy of Pen and Paper Patterns quilt designs. This Ghost Quilt is so much fun!

 

I think this Halloween Quilt pattern from Fort Worth Fabric Studio is so cute. Find the free pattern here.

This adorable Cats and Pumpkins quilt pattern is by Amanda, aka Jedi Craft Girl.

Bats quilt pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew

The cutest little smiling pumpkin and ghost quilt blocks I’ve ever seen – Foundation Paper Pieced blocks by Center Street Quilts.

Amanda also created this quilt using Halloween colors, but not overtly Halloween-y:  Disappearing nine-patch tutorial from Jedi Craft Girl.

This Halloween-inspired sampler quilt is by Nadra Ridgeway of Ellis and Higgs. Did you know you can have pink floral ghosts and green floral cats for your Halloween quilt? Yes you can! Darling pattern by Nadra.

Here’s another example of a traditional block made with Halloween fabric. I love this version of the Gingham Girl star quilt pattern made by Elisabeth of Brown Bird Creations.

If you’re looking for something quick and simple, you can find the tutorial for this last-minute Halloween bunting here.

Halloween Embroidery Hoop art free pattern from Flamingo Toes

Looking for a Trick-or-Treat bag pattern? Check out this tutorial from Applegreen Cottage.

Some other fun Halloween-inspired blocks, quilts, and smaller projects include (many on my to-make list) include the Large Hexagon Quilt by Polkadot Chair,  Ghost mug rug by Patchwork Posse, these Barn Bats by Elizabeth Hartman, Candy Corn Bunting by Modern Handcraft,  and of course a good spider web quilt. The Moda Bake Shop has this great Spiders and Webs quilt tutorial by Heidi Grohs.

Thanksgiving Quilts and Sewing Projects

Probably my all-time favorite fall-themed quilt is my Gratitude quilt I made for Thanksgiving a few years ago. This is one that had been on my bucket-list for a long time. It’s a record of the things I am most thankful for.

I wrote this as a pattern for the book Sweet Celebrations with Moda Bake Shop. You could also use any traditional signature block to create your own similar result.

How cute is this free Turkey-Trot Quilt block by Heather of the Sewing Loft?

Beautiful Thanksgiving Hoop Art free stitchery design from Bev at Flamingo Toes.

And finally, here’s a bunch of beautiful Fall table runner tutorials – perfect for a Thanksgiving Feast, or to give a festive feel to your table all season long.

Well, there’s plenty of Fall-themed Sewing projects and ideas to get your creative juices flowing – not to mention something for a sewer/quilter at any level! You’re welcome. 😉

If you’re interested, you can see more Fall and Halloween sewing and quilting ideas on this pinboard

Follow Amy Smart’s board fall sewing projects on Pinterest.