Quilting a Magical Pumpkin Mug Rug

Yes, I’m going a bit pumpkin crazy! I had to quilt another pumpkin block to try out more of the Twisted Tendril design, and to play with other ways to free motion quilt the pumpkin shape.

quilting pumpkin | machine quilting

One major change with this pumpkin was extending the stem and filling in that space with a free form Flowing Lines design. I really like how that extended the stem area to fill in more of the pumpkin shape and made the stem more interesting. See how these cool designs are quilted in this fun, free video:

The pumpkins I’ve been playing with have all been cut from the Fall Medley AccuQuilt die. I really love using my Accuquilt to cut applique shapes because it’s so quick and always cuts the shape perfectly.

quilt pumpkin block | machine quilting

 To fuse the applique in place, I use Lite Steam-a-Seam 2, which is a super lightweight fusible web. I love it because even if I’m completely absent minded about fusing the shape in place and hold my iron on way too long, the glue doesn’t evaporate like it can with some fusible web brands.

Now that I’ve stitched so many pumpkins, I’m really in the mood for pumpkin bread! Swing by tomorrow to find my family recipe for pumpkin bread and muffins!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

11 Responses

  1. Laura Chaney says:

    I love using Steam a Seam 2. It's my favorite fusible product!

  2. Would the way you built up the thread on the pumpkin be a good way to begin learning (or more accurate to say "begin getting comfortable with") travel stitching?

  3. Leah Day says:

    Yes, I think this could be a great way to get used to travel stitching. Even if it's not perfect, a slightly messy travel stitch might actually look nice and you'll definitely learn more about holding the block and positioning your hands.

  4. Marle says:

    It looks great!
    Greetings marle

  5. Kristen King says:

    Leah, I just love this!!! This past week you have really inspired me to try these!

  6. Sharon - IN says:

    I so love the quilting on this little pumpkin block!

  7. Love this project!! I don't have a Accu cutter so would like to know the size of pumpkin and the completed size of the mug rug. Thanks!!

  8. Leah Day says:

    Hi Dorothy – The pumpkin is around 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall and the mug rug I created finished at 8 x 5-inches. I think you have a lot of room to play here so just be creative and make this however big or small you like!

  9. stitcher sue says:

    love the pumpkin and the bread looks good to .on the thread for gree motion I like my stitches to be I guess thicker looking what size could I use to get that look ?

  10. Marie says:

    Leah,I loved the way you did the free motion on your little pumpkin rug,the extr stitching you did in the centre really makes it stand out. Thankyou very inspiring.

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