Autumn Harvest

One look at the trees and you'll likely agree that Mother Nature is at her most spectacular this time of year.

I love to soak up the brilliant colors of Autumn and I think this quilt project is a perfect way to pay tribute to the rich and varied colors of the season.

I've always been partial to the wonderful shades of brown, gold and red that dot the landscape.

I'm perfectly happy to say goodbye to Summer when the sights are easily replaced with luscious, vivid tones like this.

Even after the leaves that hit the ground they retain such natural beauty in my eyes.  Just look at all the pretty shades of brown and tans in Cameron and Jordy's leaf pile. 

Obviously, the kids get a big kick out of this time of year and these two always volunteer to get out and do their share of leaf raking. 

The selection of these muted colors in this quilt was definitely inspired by the pretty browns found in fallen leaves. 

This quilt pattern is called Morning Glory Star and it's really fun to sew and watch the design take shape with the fabrics.

While the beauty of this pattern lies in the assortment of glorious fabrics, the heart of the Morning Glory Star design rests with the well-defined and abundant stars that appear to float throughout the entire quilt.

The star pattern is another optical illusion of sorts that is created when the identical points from several blocks are joined with a center square to create the appearance of a star design. 

Because I made this quilt years ago without snapping photos of the construction process, I re-created the block arrangement with similar fabrics so you can see how all the pieces come together to produce the signature design.

There are more than 850 pieces in this quilt but don't be deterred.  The blocks are simply made up of lots of squares and rectangles as you can see in the single block formation in the photo below.

The star points are created by diagonally sewing the smaller squares onto each corner of the rectangles.  Trim the excess, fold back and iron.   

The photo below shows what all the rectangles with their star points look like when lined up with the larger squares.

Notice the design that begins to take shape as all the pieces surround that center fabric square.

Sew each row and then each column and VOILA, the block is complete and the star design is revealed within the other fabrics. 

Meanwhile, the backing you choose for your quilt is important because you want to ensure that the decorative stitching is highly visible for maximum effect. 

For this quilt, I used the same tone-on-tone fabric for the backing as I did for the main stars. 

Finding ways to duplicate fabrics within the quilt is a good way to help tie all the elements of the project together.

This Morning Glory Star quilt pattern is the kind of design that can be wonderfully versatile depending on the type of fabric used.  To see another (but unfinished) Morning Glory Star project view this photo.

A while back I saw a Morning Glory Star quilt with a patriotic color theme.  The quilter used a variety of red, white and blue fabrics and made all the stars out of stark white cotton. 

It was quite stunning and really illustrated how different fabric combinations can impact the finished quilt appearance even when using the exact same design.

Regular readers of this blog know that I love scalloped edging on my quilts. 

Here's my familiar take on the finished quilt edge in the photos below.  You can see a few of my other scalloped quilt edges if you click here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, once you scallop a quilt, you may never go back to a straight edge again.  

My twin sister Paula, often chides me for having quilts that are more "fashion than function" as she puts it.

I know it's probably against some unspoken quilter's rule but I resist allowing my quilts to actually be used since I consider them more decorative art. 

I made a small exception this time for the benefit of this post and my little leaf handlers.

This quilt design is from United Notions/Moda Fabrics which features a variety of free patterns, sewing tips, products and ideas online. 

Click here to download a PDF instruction and supply sheet for this quilt pattern. 

If you actually use your quilts (like most people), this one will definitely keep you toasty this season. 

Even if you use your quilts for decor purposes only (like me), you'll still have a beautiful Autumn Harvest after the very last stitch. 

Comments

[Paula]

Lisa, the Autumn Harvest quilt and all other quilts on your site, are so beautiful. I love your photography as well. Very cute site and I will be visiting again. From Topeka, KS.....thank you for your neat site!

[suzanne]

Oh Lisa, that quilt is gorgeous! And your kids are pretty cute, too!

Suzanne

[Quiltpiecer.blogspot.com]

Oh, how I love this quilt! It's gorgeous; of course, I am partial to fall colors. I am so inspired to make one right away! I came by way of Freda's Hive and am now a follower. Thanks for sharing!

[Barbara]

Dear Lisa,
I found your beautiful blog through Tara Frey's book. Love your tutorials and am already thinking that my ironing board cover could be LOTS prettier... I look forward to coming back and exploring. Happy new year.
Barbara

[cris]

i'm a french girl et i see your merveillous créations
it's too much !!!
cris

excuse me for english !!!

[Lynn]

Beautiful. I love the colors. Overall, it's not as orangey as what I normally think of when I think "fall colors" and I like that.

[Cassie Shella]

This is the first time I have visited your blog and I love it! Will definitely be back to visit.

[chris]

Quilt is magnificent & kids absolutely adorable Lisa!!!:) chris

[Alicia P.]

What a gorgeous fall quilt. And Lisa, I did not realize you were from Chicago when we did our podcast. I grew up in Oak Park/River Forest :-). What a small world!!! xoxo, alicia

[petergaye S. Kisielewicz]

I love your photos. So beautiful.

[Ruth Hair]

Wonderful pictures and such a beautiful quilt.You have inspired me to try quilting someday:)

[Pat Wys]

Beautiful quilt. I made this quilt with soft pastels for my daughters graduation. Your version is fabulous. And your photos are amazing.

Pat

[Jane Weston]

Stunning pictures! I love the first one with the colours of the leaves reflected in the quilt!!

[Sarah]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[shar]

What a beautiful project - thank you!

[Stephanie]

Absolutely stunning photos! We do use our quilts. I have some decorative ones but all the rest are snuggled under.

[Helen Tilbury]

Totally blown away by another awesome creation Lisa...I do hope that you have that spectacular artwork displayed somewhere visible in your home where you get to appreciate it's beauty on a daily basis ;-D

[Berta]

Beautiful quilt! Great photos of the quilt and fall leaves. Fall is my fav time of the year.

[Ruth]

Your quilt is beautiful! And thanks for the instruction sheet. I will keep it for future reference. It's a wonderful design!

[Thimbleanna]

Beautiful quilt Lisa! I've always loved that pattern that creates a star in the sashing -- just another thing on my enormous to-do list. Love that cute pic of your children with the quilt in the leaves too!

[Allie]

That is truly a beautiful quilt - love the colors - spectacular photos!

[Cassandra]

Very beautiful as usual.

Keep up the good work.

[Jackie]

Lisa, What a beautiful quilt!! Just perfect for this fall post. I love everything about it, the color, the design, and the scallops. They kids look like they are having way too much fun in the leaves too. Thank you for the PDF. I have just printed it out, it is now officially in my to do list.

[Theresa]

Oh my goodness!! That is one gorgeous quilt! I love the colors and your quilting is spectacular!

[kajadesign.blogspot.com]

Oh! My! God! That's a absolute gorgeous quilt! I've always said that I don't have enough patience for quilts, but when you can get a result like that from what seems as an easy pattern I am at least willing to give it a try!

[adrienne]

How BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[Laurel Harper]

Lovely quilt, as always. So, how many do you have in your personal collection now??!!!

[Mama Holli]

Beautiful quilts and beautiful children! Fall is here!! Enjoying your blog!
Mama Holli

[Allie]

Such a beauty! I love stars, and you have definitely captured the beauty of the season with this quilt! Well done!

[Beverly]

Such beautiful colors ... love the quilt!

[Annabelle]

Oh my gosh! This quilt makes me want to try quilting again but I am so not a quilter. Wow, this quilt is gorgeous...the colors, the scalloped edge, the quilting, the backing! You are good! :)

[Melissa]

Wow that's amazing! I love the scalloped border too

[Mary Jo Jones]

Your quilt is absolutely stunning!!!! I love the fall colors...so gorgeous..thanks so much for sharing it!!!!

[Wendy]

Love the quilt pattern! I wasn't able to open the file with Reader, however.

[bili]

Очень красиво вышло! Великолепный плед!