Welcome to the Patch!
I'm so excited about Polly's Pumpkin Patch Sew Along. This quilt block collection features all the fun of a breezy fall day visit to a country pumpkin patch. Each appliqué block will reveal a bit more about the farm. There will be lots of happy sunflowers and pumpkins, whimsical farm scenes and a few critter friends along the way... and not to be forgotten, Miss Polly!
Polly's Pumpkin Patch is part of my free monthly block pattern give-away. This sew along began in August. Previous blog posts will show you past blocks. I do hope you will join in on this fun sew-along! To learn more about this collection, fabric requirements for the full quilt, block release schedule and how to get free patterns, please read the Polly's Pumpkin Patch - Start Here" Blog. ➡️HERE
Now lets continue exploring the patch...
#3 Wise Owl
I'm not sure Wise Owl agrees with his little bird friend that the top of his head is a good place to rest.
Stitching Tips
- Many times when I am embroidering a line that I want to be thicker, rather than just adding more strands of thread, I will embroidery multiple lines stitched very close together. This is what I did with the tree branch. Using an outline stitch and just 2 strands of floss, I stitched two lines close together. This made the line wider without the extra bulk.
- The owls feet can be a bit challenging. I found it difficult to get good shaped scallops this small. Partially because I was using a slightly looser woven solid fabric that was not cooperating. To solve this, I prepared the feet patches the best I could. Then using a permanent marker, I drew in the shape I wanted. I used a brown marker. This worked well as it blended with the tree trunk it eventually sat on. If you decide to try this, experiment with different colors to see what works. Another option would be embroidery floss or change the shape of the feet.
- The owls tummy patch is also a bit challenging with it's jagged bottom edge. Be sure to use Fray Check and stitch with small stitches.
Let's take a look a where the birds live....
#3 Bird House
With so many happy little birds at the patch, they needed more than just your ordinary single bird house!
Stitching Tips
- I chose to stitch the bird house holes with reverse appliqué. With this method, the hole fabric is place beneath the birdhouse fabric rather than on top. The fabric on the birdhouse is cut away in a circle and stitched to reveal the fabric underneath. There are many Utube videos showing more clearly how this is done. But it's perfectly fine to make the circle on top if you choose.
- Have fun decorating your flag. Make it colorful or simple; stitch or appliqué the pumpkin; embellish with decorative stitches. What will you flag look like?
➡️BUY PATTERNS HERE
Get Free Pattern
I do hope you enjoy these block patterns as much as I enjoy designing them for you. I would love to hear from you! Drop a comment below or message me➡️HERE.
You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook. If you make a block and post pictures, please use #pollyspumpkinpatchapplique and tag @colettebeltdesigns. I would love to have you join my Facebook group Colette Belt Designs Appliqué Quilt Group.
