Scrappy Pumpkin Quilt Block
Click HERE to see the video tutorial or click on the image.
Let’s Make This!
Join me as we make this adorable, scrappy pumpkin quilt block — perfect for fall sewing! This easy 12.5" (unfinished)/12” (finished) block is full of possibilities. Make just one to turn into a mug rug, hot pad, placemat, or even a cute pillow. Or, sew several together for a festive table runner or cozy autumn throw. Add other 12” (finished) blocks to add more interest! The possibilities are endless.
Want to add a personal touch? Try appliqué leaves, a jack-o’-lantern face, or a bit of embroidery to bring your pumpkin to life!
Let’s Make This Block
Step 1: Marking Squares
Using the (4) 2” squares, draw a diagonal line on the back of each square from one corner to the opposite corner. I use a Sewline air erasable pen, but any marking pen or pencil will do. You may see the line, however. Make sure to use a light pencil mark or a marking tool that will disappear.
Step 2: Preparing Corners (Snowballing)
Place the squares that were marked in Step 1 on the corners of the body of the pumpkin unit (the 9.5” x 10.5” piece). Make sure they are configured correctly as shown in the image. I like to use a drop of precision piecing glue to hold them in place.
Step 3: Snowball Corners
This is where I always struggle because I can never seem to get snowballing corners to come out correctly. I do a little cheat on this step because of it. Here’s what I do:
At the sewing machine, sew just a smidge to the right of the line draw in Step 3. I like to do this to ensure the corners come out correctly, although they can be a bit big (I trim them in Step 5, if necessary).
PLEASE NOTE: This doesn’t work for ALL blocks, but it will work for this block. Just your judgement when using this method.
Step 4: Cutting Away Background
After the diagonal seams are sewn on all four corners, finger press the triangles out to the edge. I like to do this FIRST before cutting away the right portion of the square and the pumpkin block fabric. Make sure the entire corner is covered by the “snowball” triangle. Once you are sure it is covered, press the triangle towards the outside of the block really well. Lift the triangle and trim away the right side, leaving 1/4” seam allowance as described and shown in Step 5.
Step 5: Cut Away the Extra
Once you are sure it is covered, press the triangle out really well. Lift the triangle and trim away the right side, leaving 1/4” seam allowance. Repeat this step on all four corners.
There are other ways to do this, however.
Over the years there what been a lot of trends that come and go with this method, so use your own judgement. Some people like to leave the base (in this case, the orange piece) and just cut away the extra triangle of the background fabric. Others will leave both. For me, I like cutting away both because I feel like it give a better finish in the end.
Another thing some people do is sew a second seam 1/2” away from the first one that was on the drawn line. You can do that, too, and for a lot of blocks you can get get a nice-size HST (half square triangle) from this. For this block, however, the HST would be very small, measuring 1.25” unfinished and .75” finished. That is super tiny.
Step 6: Squaring It Up
Because of the tip/technique I use discussed in Step 3, sometimes I do have to square up the block at this point. I simply use a ruler and trim off anything that is hanging over as shown.
Step 7: Sew Stem Unit
Once the body of the pumpkin is finished with all four corners snowballed and the excess trimmed, it is time to make the stem unit.
To make this unit, sew (1) 2.5” x 4” rectangle one side of the 2.5” square stem fabric using a 1/4” seam allowance. Press towards the dark fabric or press open. Next, sew the remaining (1) 2.5” x 4” rectangle to the other side of the 2.5” square stem fabric using 1/4” seam allowance. Press to the dark fabric or press open.
The entire unit should measure 2.5” x 9.5”.
Step 8: Assemble the Pumpkin Unit
Now it is time to sew together the pumpkin unit base and the stem unit. YAY! Simply place the stem unit on the top short side of the pumpkin base with right sides together. Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew the stem to the top of the pumpkin base. Press towards the stem unit or press seams open.
This new unit (the pumpkin base and the stem together should measure 9.5” x 12.5”.
We are almost finished!
Step 9: Adding the Side Rectangles
Next, layout the block as shown with the 2” x 12.5” background rectangles on the right and left of the pumpkin unit from Step 8. Place (1) 2” x 12.5” rectangle on top of one side of the pumpkin unit with right sides (printed or pretty sides) together. Using 1/4” seam allowance, sew down the 2” x 12.5” rectangle. Repeat with the other side. Press seams well. The pressing direction doesn’t matter in this step, and depending what you are making, you may have to repress when you are putting the project together.
Step 10: It’s Finished! YAY!
The scrappy pumpkin block is finished! Isn’t it cute? You can really have some fun with this. Just imagine the possibilities! After all, pumpkins come in all colors, shapes, and sizes! I made a few different color ways. Which is your favorite?
What can you make with this block? Here are a few ideas!
1. Pillow/Pillow Cover: Add a simple border to bring it up to 16” or 18” (common pillow insert sizes) or make it bigger and make your own cover and insert. I have tutorials on both, if. you need help.
2. Table Topper / Mug Rug: Bind the block as-is for a 12" mini table mat, or add batting/insul-bright to make it a large mug rug or snack mat.
3. Hot Pad / Pot Holder: Add heat-resistant batting, a backing, and a loop in the corner for hanging—perfect for your fall decor!
4. Mini Quilt / Wall Hanging: Just sandwich, quilt, and bind this block for an adorable wall hanging. You could even hang this one your door. How cute would that be?
5. Tote Bag Panel: Use the block as the front panel of a simple tote. If you need help, I have a tutorial for a simple quilted tote bag.
7. Placemat: Add a 3.5” x 12.5” strip of fabric to each side of the pumpkin block, bringing it up to 12” x 18” finished. Sandwich with batting and backing, quilt it, and bind it. Make an entire set for your fall table.
8. Casserole / Dish Carrier Top: A quilt block can be the decorative center for a practical kitchen carrier.
9. Table Runner: The standard size of a table runner is between 12” - 18” wide x 36” - 108” long. For this one, we have the width of 12”, so all we need to do is figure out how many blocks we need for the length. This is easy—we just figure out the multiples of 12.
(3) blocks = 36” long
(4) blocks = 48” long
(5) blocks = 60” long
(6) blocks = 72” long
(7) blocks = 84” long
(8) blocks = 96” long
(9) blocks = 108” long
10. Bed Runner: How cute would a fall bed runner be? If you don’t know what a bed runner is, it is basically a table runner, but for the end of your bed. It looks like it is a quilt folded at the end of your bed. So cute! To make one, here are some sizes:
Twin Size with a 10.5” drop on each side: (5) blocks = 60” long
Double/Full Size with a 9” drop on each side: (6) blocks = 72” long
Queen Size with a 12” drop on each side: (7) blocks = 84” long
King Size with a 9” drop on each side: (8) blocks = 96” long
California King Size with a 15” drop on each side: (9) blocks = 108” long
What About A Quilt?
Here’s a list of how many block you would need to make a beautiful fall quilt! I have included several sizes, too.
The pumpkin block is 12.5” unfinished or 12” finished. To figure out the sizes, we are going to use the finish size to make it much easier to do the math.
If you would like a lap size quilt, it measures between 45” x 60 and 50” x 70”.
Here’s the math: 45” divided by 12” (the size of the block) = 3.75. Since we can’t have .75 of a block, we will round up to 4; therefore, 12” x 4 = 48”. We know we need 4 blocks in each row.
Let’s figure out the length: 60” divided by 12” = 5. Perfect! A nice round number!
This means for a small lap size quilt, we will need 20 pumpkin blocks (4 blocks in each row x 5 rows = 20). This will give us a lap quilt that is 48” x 60”.
If we want a bigger one, we can just add blocks to the rows and the number of rows. For example, if we add one block to the row, making it 5 blocks across and we add one row, making it 6 rows, we will need 30 blocks for a quilt that measures 60” x 72”.
If all this above got too confusing, here’s an easy list. :)
I hope you enjoyed making this scrappy block!
Happy Quilting,
Kris
