Oh My Gourd!

Well the season is upon us…halloween candy, scare crows, pumpkin spice everything and we have even seen some crisp fall nights already!

For this month’s block lotto I want you to carve up some creativity, and I’m going to limit the rules so we don’t squash your enthusiasm. October’s block lotto is going to be all about pumpkins! They can be scrappy, striped or single fabrics, but please plant them on neutral, low volume grounds in creams, ivory or beige with subtle visual textures, prints similar to this one from Laura Berringer for Studio 37 fabrics.

Here are some fun examples of pumpkin blocks and a quilt to get you started. These are from various designers and websites, some which have patterns you can purchase, but at the end I will post a link to a FREE pattern available on Bluprint. This first inspiration is Pumpkins from Cluck Cluck Sew, and takes a fun scrappy approach to the season.

This inspiration comes from I SEW FREE.

And finally here is the FREE Pumpkin Block from Bluprint. You do need to register with their site to get the pattern, or if you have an account already you can download it quickly.

The finished sizes of the block can vary. Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. The pattern from Bluprint finishes at 8-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, and I already made a block that finished at 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″. For the sanity of the person who wins the blocks, let’s maybe say no blocks smaller than 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ OR larger than 18-1/2″ x 18-1/2″.

Here are the guidelines:

  • Neutral, low-volume ground fabric in cream, ivory or beige. It can have a print or visual texture.
  • Pumpkin in yellow-orange, orange or red-orange colors – prints, textures, solids
  • Finished sizes from 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ up to 18-1/2″ x 18-1/2″.
  • No Jack-o-Lanterns….it’s going to be tempting, but let’s keep this seasonal not tied to a specific holiday.  OR…if you win the block lotto, you can carve them up anyway you’d like!

These blocks will be turned in at the October meeting on Thursday, October 10th! Have fun and Piece Out!