Quilts of Fall Festivals: Autumn Leaves | Quilty Pleasures Blog

The falling leaves drift by my window,
the autumn leaves of red and gold …

Last week we had our first snow of the season here in the Denver area. It’s not at all uncommon for us to get some snow before Halloween, but to get 5 inches or more as early as October 9 felt a little too soon, especially considering it had been in the 70s just the day before.

But since this is Colorado, the sky cleared and the sun started to melt the snow almost immediately. By the time I took my daughters to school two days after the storm, the pavement was completely dry. Ash trees, golden in early October, line the fence outside the kindergarten yard, and the leaves were falling as we walked under their branches. Not fluttering one by one, but showering down as if a movie director had just yelled, “Action!”

On my way back to my car, I took a moment to stand there in the morning sunlight as golden leaves mixed with a few ice crystals rained down on my head, appreciating the transitory experience of it all. I’m glad I did—a week later those trees are almost completely bare.

No amount of pumpkin spice can capture the fleeting beauty of turning leaves at autumn’s peak, which is why I think leaf-motif quilts made in autumnal colors are so popular among so many quilters, year in and year out.

If you’re like me and you like to quilt with the seasons, here are some patterns and kits to help you get the most out of this radiant time. And be sure to scroll to the bottom to learn about how to enter for a chance to win one of these patterns!

Thimbleberries Autumn Table Topper

This Thimbleberries Autumn Table Topper kit features two all-time-favorite quilt blocks—Variable Star and Maple Leaf—for this easy harvest-time 38″ x 38″ wall hanging or table topper quilt. The kit has directions by Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries, and her fabrics by RJR for the top, backing and binding. The kit also includes a small bonus pattern and is currently on sale for 50% off (price subject to change).

Two quilt kits featuring the Autumn Road collection from Wilmington Fabrics celebrate the simple joy of pedaling around the neighborhood at this time of year. The 34″ x 53″ wall hanging features a charming fall scene panel in the center for an easy home decor project, while the leaf and bicycle prints are featured in the 53″ x 71″ pieced throw quilt.

Throw Quilt

Wall Hanging

Beautiful batiks and neutrals, applique and piecing; all are combined in the striking Falling Leaves wall hanging pattern designed by Connie Kauffman. The construction is rated challenging but the instructions give you all the help you need to learn the techniques if you aren’t familiar with them. This wall quilt would be a great fit for your decor or a wonderful gift for a friend.

Falling Leaves

Fall Stars

Fall Stars by Jo Morton is a lovely bed quilt that embodies all the best things about fall—the warm, inviting colors, fluttering leaves, sparkles of golden light and comforting coziness. Wool leaf appliques add a warm, dimensional effect to the quilt. The complete pattern is available as a digital download and in McCall’s Quilting’s September/October 2017 issue.

Turning Leaves

The Turning Leaves applique pattern by Caroline Reardon includes instructions for both a throw quilt and twin-bed quilt. It’s available as a paper pattern and as a digital download.

Mass Maples

Mass Maples by Timna Tarr is an award-winning quilt that bursts with color. The digital download pattern includes tips for replicating Timna’s expert fabric placement to help you turn your scraps into a masterpiece of your own.

Oak Leaf Cluster

A combination of applique and piecing creates this stunning Oak Leaf Cluster quilt embracing the beautiful changing colors of autumn. Rich reds, oranges, golds and greens will be the perfect combination to snuggle under for the cooler weather this fall. Pattern includes yardage and cutting requirements, full-size foundations, full-size applique patterns and a quilting plan for the 89″ x 89″ queen quilt.

Pressed Leaves

For a fun, modern take on autumn leaves, check out the Pressed Leaves table runner. A delightful text print is the striking background for colorful scrappy leaves, which look like they are tumbling through the air. The wonky blocks are not trimmed at identical angles, further enhancing the fluttery feel. How-to photos and detailed instructions for trimming the leaves are included in the digital download pattern.

For a lot more autumn quilt patterns and fabrics, visit Quilt and Sew Shop. One of the other patterns you’ll find there is this Falling Leaves throw quilt designed by Erin Wilcoxon. If you’d like a chance to win a free copy of this pattern, leave a comment below before midnight Mountain Daylight Time on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, telling us if you’ve ever made an autumn leaf quilt. We’ll randomly draw the names of three lucky winners and mail each a copy of the pattern. This contest is open to US and Canadian residents, excluding Quebec.

Good luck, and Happy Autumn!