Free Tutorial: Let’s Make Some Pumpkin Quilt Blocks!

I don’t know about you, but when September rolls around at the Ronne household, that means it’s Fall. What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than making some DIY fall home decor items, right? Today, I’m going to show you how to make a super cute pumpkin quilt block that you can use to make a table runner, throw pillows, coasters, or even an entire quilt top!

How Do You Make a Pumpkin Quilt Block?

I use affiliate links in some of my blog posts and may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using these links. There is no extra charge for you to use them. 

In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make a 6” or 12” pieced pumpkin block that you can then use to create a multitude of decorations for your home. Fall is my favorite season, and it is the perfect excuse to go on a sewing spree!

Supplies You Will Need

• Fabric: These blocks are an excellent way to use up those fabric scraps you’ve been hoarding, or you can use yardage or precuts. 
• Thread: My favorite thread for my quilt projects is Coats and Clark Machine Quilting Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Ruler: I like to use my Omnigrid 9 ½” Square Ruler for pretty much all of my quilting projects. 
• Marking Pen
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Iron and Ironing Board: My iron of choice is the Oliso Mini Iron. 

Cutting Instructions

For the 6” block, we will use various width strips. For the 12” block, we will use 2 ½” squares. Cut the following pieces for each block. 

Piecing the Patchwork Pumpkin Blocks

Since we’re using two different layouts for the two quilt block sizes, you will want to follow the instructions for whichever size block you are choosing to make. I’ll write out easy-to-follow instructions and give step-by-step tutorial images for each block to help you piece together your pumpkin quilt blocks. 

6” Pumpkin Quilt Block

First, you want to figure out the layout you want for your strips. We have three strips from Fabric A and two strips from Fabric B. I like to lay out the strips first so I can visualize how the block will look. 

TIP: You can always use more fabrics for a scrappy look for your pumpkin blocks as well. Just cut one strip from five different fabrics. 

Now that you have your strips in order take them to your sewing machine and sew them together using a ¼” seam allowance. 

Press all the seams to one side. This will help the block lay flat when you go to sew blocks together or quilt. 

Next, add the background corner pieces to give your pumpkin that cute rounder shape. To do this, take the two 1 3/4″ squares and place them on the “top” of the pumpkin body. Now, take the 1 1/2″ squares and place them in the “bottom” corners.

You will need to sew a 45° diagonal line for all four corners. Use a marking pen to draw the line from one corner to the opposite side’s corner, like the image below.

Stitch along that line to create the perfect 45° angle.

Trim the excess fabric leaving a ¼” seam allowance.

Repeat for the other three corners and press so the pumpkin body lays flat.

Now it’s time to add the stem! Take the remaining pieces and sew a background piece on either side of the stem fabric. Press the seams towards the stem fabric for maximum flat laying.

Sew the body and the stem together and press the seam to one side.

Trim the block down to 6 ½” square, and there you have it!

A complete and adorable pumpkin quilt block! This block can be used for all kinds of festive quilt projects like coasters, placemats, and wall hangings, to name a few. 

12” Pumpkin Quilt Block

The 12” easy pumpkin quilt block is pieced together very similarly to the 6”, except the body uses cute little 2 ½” squares instead of strips of fabric. Let’s make one together!

First, I’m going to take my 24 – 2 ½” squares and lay them out to make sure I have them in the order that I would like them to be. 

Sew all the squares together, first in horizontal rows, then sew those rows together to make one large rectangle.

Next, add the corner squares to all four corners. Refer to the 6” pumpkin quilt block tutorial on how to add them so you get perfect 45° angles every time. 

Take the 2 ½” background square and, using the same technique, add it to the stem fabric. You can have the 45° angle go either way. Maker’s choice!

Sew the remaining background pieces to the stem piece and press the seams towards the stem fabric. 

The final seam! Sew the stem block to the body block. Press the seam to one side, and voila! A gorgeous 12 ½” unfinished pumpkin quilt block ready to be used in your next quilt project!

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and you have lots of fun making all kinds of pumpkin projects with this quilt block tutorial. I would LOVE to see your creations! Feel free to send a photo to my email (miriam@stitchobsessed.com) or tag me on Instagram @stitchobsessedwithmiriam. 

Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy stitches!