Monday, July 6, 2009

Pumpkin Tutorial – Crazy Quilt Style!

I’ve been thinking about making one of these pumpkins for a while so on Friday I decided to stop procrastinating, bite the bullet and got down to business. I made a list of everything that I needed, gathered it all together and started the Great Pumpkin Journey.

By day’s end, this is what I found in my pumpkin patch…a pumpkin of course…crazy quilt style!

DSCN0702 So if you’d like to follow along to see how I made this little guy, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, pull up a chair and join me on my Great Pumpkin Journey.

You’ll need 10 – 6 1/2” squares of fabric.

DSCN0662 I didn’t have 10 different orange-y fabrics so I duplicated 2 of them. The ones in the upper tier are for a second pumpkin…when I get around to it.

DSCN0664

You will also need a template. I made mine on a piece of computer printer paper simply because it was easier to copy that way.

Below is a photo of the one I drew. It is a 6 1/2” square with a line drawn from one side to the other but not centered and on a slight angle. Then there are two lines drawn on either side of this line, once again not centered and on different angles. Where you place these lines will determine the shape of your ‘patches’. Use my template below as a guide. Make a photocopy of your template as you will need two of them. I used the ‘copy’ feature on my printer to do this. Trim off the outside edges on both copies so all that remains is an intact, 6 1/2” square.

DSCN0660Separate the 10 – 6 1/2” squares of fabric into 2 piles of 5 each then place one paper template on top of each of the stacks. Align the layers of fabric and the templates to form a neat stack.

DSCN0668The lines are your cutting lines. Starting with the center line and using your rotary cutter, cut across this line and through all layers of fabric. Cut through all of the lines and repeat this step for the second stack of fabric. Discard the bits paper.

DSCN0670Stack the two piles on top of one another with like shapes matching.

DSCN0672Randomly stagger the order of the fabrics in each pile so that they are not in the same sequence within each pile.

DSCN0676Each of the two sets of 3 pieces on either side of the center line are worked on separately. Starting on the left side, sew two pieces together and repeat this for all ten layers in those same two stacks. Chain piecing makes this step go quite quickly.

DSCN0678If you chain pieced, snip the connecting thread that is holding them together and iron the seams open.

Note: Every seam in this project is ironed open.

DSCN0680As is the style with crazy quilts, I elected to do a decorative feather stitch, centered on the top and in the center of each sewn seam. This is the reason why all of the seams are ironed open…to facilitate the sewing of the decorative stitch across an evenly distributed seam allowance.

Sew the third piece to the other two…

DSCN0683 and iron the seam open. Add your decorative stitch to the right side of this seam.

DSCN0684Square off the center seam line only.

DSCN0685Repeat this exact procedure for the three pieces on the other side.

DSCN0686Join the two sides together and iron the seam open.

DSCN0687 Don’t forget to add the decorative stitching on the top of the joined seam. Repeat this step to make 10 blocks in total.

DSCN0688Square off each block to 4 1/2”

DSCN0689Make two rows with five blocks in each row. Play with the blocks until you get a sequence that you like. I tried to make sure that no two of the same fabrics lined up side by side…but if it happens, who cares? It’s a crazy quilt!

DSCN0690Sew the five blocks together in each row and then sew the two rows together. Remember to iron each seam open and to add the decorative stitching on the top of each new seam.

DSCN0691With right sides together, sew the short ends to form a tube.

DSCN0692Turn the tube right side out. Iron the seam open and add the decorative stitch to this seam as well.

DSCN0693With doubled thread, sew a running stitch approximately 1/4” in from the outer edge and around the the entire perimeter of the bottom.

DSCN0694Gather together and fasten off.

DSCN0695 Turn right side out.

DSCN0697Stuff with fiberfill. Sew a running stitch around the top edge in the same manner as you did for the bottom and gather it towards the center. Do not fasten off yet.

DSCN0698 Insert a branch into the center for the stem, easing it down as far as you can, then fasten off the gathering thread.

Note: For the stem, I just went into my garden and found a branch that had fallen from a tree and cut it to the appropriate size.

DSCN0699Cut two 12” pieces of grapevine wire (I purchased mine at Michael’s some time ago) and wrap each around a dowel or pencil to make them look like tendrils. If you can’t locate the grapevine wire, any wire will do, including florist’s wire.

DSCN0700Add a drop of glue to each of the ends and gently ease them into the center of the pumpkin on either side of the stem.

DSCN0703Tie some raffia around the stem, add some wool leaves with a drop of glue and there you have it…a crazy quilt pumpkin…all finished and ready to compliment your Fall decor.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Edit: Yesterday I completed a companion pumpkin with ‘primitive’ style fabrics. The only thing different is I chose to omit the decorative top stitching.

DSCN0712Don’t they make a happy couple? ♥

DSCN0714Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

35 comments:

Mel said...

Kaaren, I love the crazy tutorial - thanks! I also really like the grapevine wire and had no idea it existed!

Stina Blomgren said...

A very handsome Happy couple!!!! Love them Kaaren...
Thanks for making a tutorial... :o))

Janet said...

Wow perfect for your Halloween. Your tutorials are excellent, so easy to follow.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Another wonderful post. Both of the are very cute!! I have made the pumpkins out of a tube before and even out of patterned pieces and out of wool - I have a few of each I think, but what a neat idea to make it out of a crazy quilt. They both are cute but I think I like the simplicity of the fabrics in the first one. And they do make a great couple. You now have a head start on your fall decorating!!

Have a wonderful Monday, Kaaren.

hugs, Linda

Terry said...

Cute pumpkins! Thanks for the great tutorial Kaaren! :0)

Darlene said...

Awesome, awesome tutorial, Kaaren! It's an adorable pumpkin!

Jeanette said...

This is so cute, I'm going to try this. Any chance of you showing a close up picture of your feather stitch along the seam. I love the look of it, but am not sure how to get it centered on the seam.
Thanks for the tutorial!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my..how cute is your pumpkin!
Thanks for the clear tut on making it!..you're good, girl! lol
gypsy

Cathi said...

What a great pumpkin!! Thanks for the tutorial -- you make it sound so easy and your tutorial is really easy to follow!

Jeanette said...

Hi again, I just realized that you can do the decorative stitch on the machine! I have my fabrics already picked out. Thanks again for the tutorial.

Annette said...

What a great idea! Thanks for showing us how to do it. It's on my list for sure.

Barb said...

Kaaren--Thank you so very much for the excellent tutorial! I just LOVE the pumpkins--and will have to make one (or maybe more) of my own! Thanks again!!

Carrie P. said...

So cute. Getting ready for the fall I see.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Kaaren, thanks so much for the tutorial!! They are just darling, and something I need to try!!

Carla said...

Very nice! Love the tutorial. Thank you. It looks big!

dotti white said...

I love this pumpkin! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

Sherri said...

I love it...I didn't know there was grapevine wire either!

RG said...

Gosh you're clever Kaaren,
I love this!!! I do love pumpkins, but oh so cute!!
Thanks for taking the time and effort to do this...Love it, love it!!
Of course burnt orange is one of my fave colours too :D
This is now on my to-do list....mwah ha ha ha!
Robyn xx

Janet said...

thank you for the clear and complete tutorial.

Sew Useful Designs said...

Oh WOW Kaaren!

Thank you so much for a wonderful tutorial! Your finished results are incredible :-)

It's so interesting to see different 'products' from around the world. I have never seen or heard of grapevine wire before.

Thank you once again!
Vikki xxxx

Pieced Pastimes said...

How cute! I may just have to make up some of these for the fall (my favorite season)!

Abby and Stephanie said...

CUTE! It's fall-ish weather here in Ohio...after my return from the desert heat!

Candace said...

Oh Kaaren, you have captured my heart with these little gems! I love pumpkins and yours are incredibly fun! I can't wait to give them a try!
Cheers!

Loris said...

Awesome tutorial, Kaaren. I've been hoping to make some pumpkins for several years now! May have to get 'roun tuit'. Can I ask how tall your pumpkins stand? Both look wonderul! Thanks for sharing the how to.

Rumi said...

What a nice addition to a fall tablescape. Thanks for the tutorial!

Susan said...

I loved the pumpkins!! The "crazypatch" block was a great idea. Terrific tutorial as well.
A great excuse for me to purchase some orange fabrics!!

Anonymous said...

Kaaren, They are so cute. Thanks for the tutorial

Rose Marie said...

What a fabulous idea! I collect pumpkins and these would make great additions. Many thanks for sharing.

Vintage Sandy said...

Kaaren, I love your pumpkins thanks for the tutorial I'm a real "fall" person sew will be making some for decorating with.

Busy Little Quilter said...

These are so adorable! Thank you!!

Diane H said...

Thanks for the tutorial Kaaren. I'm really getting into this "Prim" the decorations are fantastic. Speaking of which your fall decorating is beautiful.
Happy Harvest.

Crazypatch said...

lovely, thanks Karen for tutorial... Quicly, a link on my blog...
http://carrementcrazy.zumablog.com

Katie Bishop said...

I made a smaller one and hope to make a bigger one later this week. Thanks!
http://katiejpbishop.blogspot.com/

Sabrina said...

Kaaren
Thanks for the great tutorial.
Gracias por ese tutorial ,me gusta mucho hacer zapallos para esta temporada.
:)
Sabrina

Karin på Ösäter said...

Hi, a lovely tutorial for pumpkins!
A lovely blogg, I will come back soon for more inspiration.
Greetings from Sweden