Glorious Autumn: Pumpkin Patch(work) Tutorial

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Heeeeellooooooooo (in my best Mrs. Doubtfire voice)!!!  I know it's been a while.  But more on that later.
For now, I have a cute little tutorial for the Glorious Autumn Block Party hosted by the wonderful Michele.  If you haven't already, you should go over and check out some of the awesome tutorials by some pretty awesome people!

Doing this block was a great excuse for me to spend my Sunday sewing in a feverish panic.  ;)  It's called Pumpkin Patch(work)! And it really goes together pretty quickly.

What you'll need:
 8 1/2" square for background
(3) 2 1/2" strips for corners
5 1/2 x 7 1/2" scrap for pumpkin applique
1 1/2 x 2 1/2" scrap for stem
(4) 1 x 13" strips for frame (I tend to use a very scant 1/4" seam allowance so my blocks always come out a little larger than the pattern calls for - which is okay as long as it's consistent.  I find it easier to cut the strips longer and trim them down once attached!)
Coordinating thread for applique and embroidery

To start:
 Sew together your 2 1/2" strips.  This will form a long strip set that measures 6 1/2" in width.  Sub-cut (2) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares from the strip set.

Cut each of these units diagonally, corner to corner so you have four triangles.

This will be the layout of the main part of your block:

To sew the corners onto the center square, center them so that there is an equal amount of overlap on each side.

Repeat for the next three corners.

Now for the applique!  You can download the "pattern" here.  Except no!  To download from that link, you have to be a registered member of Scribd.  Oops!  You can download it here instead!
It totally looks like a butt, doesn't it?  I know.  Awesome.
Use your favorite applique method to apply the stem and pumpkin to the block.

I used a really easy turned applique method.  If you want to try my method, you will need some water soluble stabilizer (Floriani Wet N Gone or similar).
I cut the applique template out of paper and traced it directly onto the wrong side of my fabric.  I then sewed around my drawn shape with the fabric right sides together with the stabilizer.

Once you've completely sewn around the shape (with a backstitch at your start and stop), trim to a 1/8 - 1/4" seam allowance and clip the curves, then turn it over to the stabilizer side and cut a slit big enough to turn it right sides out.

Smooth out all the edges (which I had obviously not done yet!) and press your pumpkin.  Repeat for the stem and applique it to your block.

Next, add one of the 1" strips to each side of the block.  Trim it flush with the block, add the other two strips, then trim again.

I added a couple of free motion embroidered squigglies coming off of my pumpkin as well, just for the fun of it.

And you're done!
If you'd like to print this tutorial, you may do so with the "printer friendly" button on my sidebar.
And so that you can see what the block looks like in repeat, I made a little wall hanging.  What I like best about blocks like these is that they're so versatile.  You can change it up by changing the applique, or doing no applique at all and leave the center of the block for quilting motif.  Anyway, this will now go in the massive pile of things I need to get quilted!

I hope you'll check out the Glorious Autumn Flickr Group to see all the blocks the participants have made.  And check back soon! I've got a pretty spectacular customer quilt finish to share.  :O)