Pumpkin Play

This pattern idea first came to me many years ago, when I was working through a fascination with cathedral windows quilts. I tried a cathedral windows technique where you did some folding and stitching with your machine, and I liked it, but it was so labor intensive, and you had to do a ton of prep before you saw any progress. I still haven’t finished the edges. Partly because I don’t care anymore, but also because I no longer have the book. I got the experience I was looking for, and I’m done. 

What I kept from that adventure was the knowledge that I could fake curves, instead of learning template piecing. Templates TERRIFIED me early in quilting. I can focus intensively, but only on things that interest me. Accurate cutting of weird shapes is never going to be my strong suit.  

My Windows to My Heart pattern was my first quilt pattern that used the bias folded curves. There is a little bulk in the corners from extra layers of fabric, but I don’t hate it. Curves are worth a few bumps.

I have a whole sketchbook of ideas for these patterns. They came at a time when I was first dipping my toe into getting patterns published and sold. That particular aspect of my business was never terribly successful, so it hasn’t been a big focus for me. These patterns fell by the wayside, too, as the folks I was hanging out with didn’t care for the look of traditional-ish patterns. I’m not going to promise that they will all come out of my sketchbook, but I’m no longer held back by nay-sayers.

Anywhoo. Here is Pumpkin Play. It first appeared in The Quilt Pattern Magazine in August, 2019. I’ve done some editing and expanding, and the pdf pattern is available in my shop right now. It was made with layer cakes in mind, so the base pumpkins can be cut from a 10” square of fabric. Now I just need a fabric company to make me a full line of orange textures. 

Later this month I am participating in the Festive Fall Summit from Hobby Scool. I’ve got a video class on making a Pumpkin Play mug rug. The class will be available for free for 24 hours. You will also have the option to upgrade to the VIP and get permanent access to the class, and a free copy of the full pattern. I’ve also got big plans to promote it, so look for some ideas on how to make other versions of the pumpkins. (Let’s see if I follow through or not.)

The Festive Fall Summit runs from October 13-15, 2026.