Fellow Quilters,

Today was a glorious day!  After 3 weeks of cool rainy weather (in the summer!), we had a Labor Day weekend of temperatures more in keeping with late July – hot and sunny.  I soaked up the delightful warmth while I worked on the September Quilt Block Mania pattern.  Sunshine is good for the soul 😊.  I know these last few warm days are fleeting – the temperature will soon be cool and crisp, perfect for Fall hikes through crunchy leaves and crystal clear blue skies.  Can you tell I like Fall?

In fact, Fall is the theme of this month’s Quilt Block Mania, so I put on my thinking cap and designed a block that embodies this time of year.  My Hats Off to Fall block incorporates two things I’m likely to see a lot of on those upcoming hikes – brown leaves and acorns.  Here is the link to my block pattern.  While my leaves aren’t exactly oak-leaf-shaped, they are much easier to make, and they definitely are the correct color of oak leaves in the Fall.  The squirrels will be “squirreling” away the acorns – haha!  We have a family of chipmunks in our patio – I wonder if they also eat acorns.

My original block design with rounded corners on the acorns

When I originally designed this block, I put curved corners on the bottom of the acorn – here is the image.  Which one do you prefer?

Fourteen other designers also designed Fall-themed blocks and you can find the links for their free patterns here.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Autumn Leaf by Inquiring Quilter
Pumpkin Spice by Inflorescence
Beanstalk Table Runner
Maple Twist by QuiltFabrication
Hats Off to Fall by Patti’s Patchwork
Hey Pumpkin
Apple by Penny Spool Quilts
School Pencils from Crafty Staci
Farmer’s Market
Scrappy Pumpkin by Katie Mae Quilts
Apple Harvest
Flying South at Epida Studio
Scattered Leaves by Patchwork Breeze
Persimmon Star Block

My block might not be used for a bed-size quilt, however it would make a fab table runner or set of placemats to spruce up your home for Fall.

Three blocks make a nice-sized table runner

As we sail into Fall, I want to let you know about a special opportunity to cruise to Alaska next September with me and the Watergirl Quilt Co team.

Cruise with me and the Watergirl Quilt Co team to Alaska next September

On this date next year, we’ll be cruising past the spectacular Hubbard Glacier and hoping for some White Thunder, as massive chunks of the aqua-blue ice crash into the bay.  Host Michelle asked me recently what my favorite travel destination is, and I replied, “Alaska’s breathtakingly majestic rugged scenery ties with Norway for top spot”.  I have been to Alaska 4 times and never tire of it.  I am thrilled to be returning next year.  Michelle and co-host Scott are doing it up right, starting with night-before accommodations in Vancouver BC at the world-class Fairmont Hotel followed by a leisurely breakfast before boarding the Brilliance of the Seas for 7 fun-filled days of scenic cruising, fascinating ports of call, quilting camaraderie, your choice of 12 different quilting classes on Bernina B475 machines and lots of other goodies/perks.  I am teaching 4 classes, including free-motion machine-quilting (the Bernina machines will be perfect for this!), binding techniques, sashiko hand-stitching and a Skill-building Sampler wall quilt – a project designed especially for this cruise.

My Skill-building Sampler wall quilt is designed specially for this cruise

I hear tell sign-ups have been brisk, and some stateroom categories might be sold out.  You can add your name to the list and find the details here.

Wherever you are, I hope you find some time to get out and enjoy Fall.

Chat soon,

Patti