This week we are sewing together our lil’ pumpkins!
Stitch
I start with the pumpkins by chain piecing and sewing all the little squares on all four corners of my pumpkins. While I'm at it I run the leaves through and any bent stems. It's just easier to do all the diagonals at once!
I love to use the frog tape method I learned from Camille Roskelley several years ago when I made my Swoon quilt! You can use Washi tape, painter‘s/frog tape, or now there's an awesome diagonal seam tape by Cluck Cluck Sew made specifically for this purpose. To do this you put a piece of tape on your sewing machine so the edge lines up with your center stitch line (in this case). Then you put the point of your triangle on the edge of the tape and guide it along the edge of the tape as you sew. Here’s a video to show you what I mean!
Other methods include folding the square in half diagonally to make a crease you can follow, or you can also mark or draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on your square with a Hera marker, Frixion pen or I've even heard a good ole' butterknife works!
Pressing
I always try to press to the darker fabric if possible so seams don't show through! I often trim first, but thought I’d try pressing before trimming to help stabilize the corners this time.
These are some of my favorite pressing tools - I like Best Press if I have it on hand, or sometimes just use a misting bottle, and a wool mat and tailor's clapper really get those seams flat.
Trim
Trim off any excess from corners.
Don't forget to trim your leaf HST's to 1.25". Then sew together with the rectangles to make your leaf units.
Now add the stems! I'm doing a couple plain straight stems, a couple plain bent stems, and the rest bent stems with leaves.
Finale!
Once the tops are all done, it's time to pair them up with the pumpkins and watch these little guys come together! I love pressing them open to see the big reveal and how cute each pumpkin is!
Ii
I can't wait to see your pumpkins this week! Remember to tag me @fijimamaquilts and use the #littlepumpkinpillowsal and #littlepumpkinsal. Have a great week and see you next time!
~Natalie
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