A Beginner-Friendly Fall Project: Free Pumpkin Pillow Pattern 🎃

There is just something about fall that makes me want to make things.

Maybe it's the cooler weather, the changing leaves, or the fact that suddenly everything feels a little cozier. Whatever it is, fall always seems like the perfect excuse to add a handmade touch to the house.

And this little pumpkin pillow is exactly that.

It's quick. It's beginner-friendly. It's scrap-friendly. And best of all?

The pattern is FREE!

A Project Made for Your Scrap Bin

If you've been quilting for any amount of time, chances are you have the bin.

You know the one.

Those leftover strips and scraps that are way too good to throw away, so we save them because surely we're going to use them for something someday.

Well... today's the day!

The pattern is written using 2½-inch strips, which makes those leftover jelly roll strips absolutely perfect for this project.

But here's the fun part: once you see how the pumpkin is constructed, it's easy to modify it and use whatever scraps you already have. Different widths, different prints, different shades—piece them together, make your strip panel, and then trim it down to the size called for in the pattern.

In other words, don't overthink your pumpkin.

Dig through what you already have. Mix oranges, rusts, creams, browns, golds—or forget traditional pumpkin colors altogether.

There really aren't many rules here.

A Little Seasonal Sewing

I love quilts, obviously. But sometimes you don't need another big project.

Sometimes you just want to make something fun that you can actually finish!

That's one reason I love seasonal pillows. They're small enough to be manageable, but they can completely change the feel of a room. Toss one on a couch, chair, bench, or bed, and suddenly your house feels a little more like fall.

Then when the season is over, tuck it away and pull it back out next year.

Handmade decorations that become part of your family's seasons year after year are pretty special.

But This Pumpkin Has an Even Better Story

As much as I love that this pattern uses scraps and makes an adorable fall decoration, neither of those is my favorite thing about it.

My favorite part is that my mom and I worked on this one together.

While I was developing the pattern, Mom helped me test it. And not only did she test it...

She made my very first Pumpkin Pillow sample.

She also managed to find all the mistakes in my pattern along the way. 🤣

That's what pattern testers are for, right?

There is something special about making things with people you love. Quilting already has such a rich tradition of being passed from one person to another, shared around tables and sewing machines, and connected to the people and stories in our lives.

Now when I look at that first little pumpkin, I don't just see a pattern I designed.

I see something my mom and I made together.

And that makes this one pretty special to me.

Ready to Make Your Own?

The finished pillow is approximately 18 inches square, making it a great size for a couch, chair, or bed.

You'll piece your pumpkin from strips, add the stem and leaf, and then finish it with a simple envelope-style back. You can also quilt the front before assembling your pillow if you'd like to add a little extra texture.

And because we're working with strips and scraps, no two pumpkins have to look alike.

Go bright and scrappy. Keep it soft and neutral. Use traditional fall colors. Pull out that half-used jelly roll you've been hanging onto.

Make it yours.

Download the FREE Pumpkin Pillow Pattern

I've put together the complete printable pattern with the measurements and step-by-step instructions you'll need to make your own.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0679/2246/0853/files/Final_Pumpkin_pillow.pdf?v=1789482593

Then go raid that scrap bin and make yourself a pumpkin. 🎃

And if you make one, I'd absolutely love to see it! Share your finished pillow and tag 31 Threads Quilt Co. so I can see what you create.

Happy quilting!

Crystal
31 Threads Quilt Co.