Projects to Sew to Help Breast Cancer Patients + Pumpkin Quilt Blocks and Ideas

Greetings friends!

My wish last week came true. A storm is blowing in and we're finally getting some of that soup and 'sweatah weathah'. I'm enjoying the coziness tonight and hoping I can maybe sit and sew tonight after a busy day here.

#SewPink: Projects to Sew + Ways to Help Breast Cancer Patients

As many of you already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And this year it feels extra close to my heart after losing my friend Julie in June. I know many of you have also supported loved ones through cancer or are cancer survivors yourselves. I love that every October, By Annie spotlights Cancer awareness and fundraising.

This year I’m joining By Annie’s #SewPink blog tour with a list of some simple sewing projects that bring comfort to breast cancer patients: mastectomy pillows, seat belt covers, post-surgery camisoles, and heart and ribbon quilt blocks. Most of the patterns are free, and every project can be gifted to a friend or loved one, or donated locally. By Annie is also generously giving away a $100 gift certificate to one of you. Enter on my Instagram post before Wednesday, October 14 (US residents only).

Click below for all of the projects and details.

Conquer Half Rectangle Triangles + Free Squishy Stars Quilt Pattern

If Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs) make you nervous, you’re not alone. (They make me nervous too!) Guest contributor Ashlee of Crinkly Quilts shares how she went from intimidated beginner to a HRT pro, thanks to a few clever tricks (and a handy trimming template!).

She’s walking us step-by-step through her process for making perfect HRTs — plus, she’s sharing a free quilt pattern, Squishy Stars, that combines HRTs and HSTs into a funky, modern star design you’ll love. 🌟

Fun Finds on the Web - Patchwork Pumpkins

I'm such a sucker for pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. Great and small. The things I'm most excited about harvesting from my garden this year are the handful of pumpkins I was able to grow!

Well, here's a bunch of patchwork pumpkin ideas - many of them free! Pull out all of those orange scraps and have fun with a little bit of fall sewing creativity and play time.

Minki Kim has a free pumpkin potholder pattern with video tutorial to walk you through the steps!

Check out this gorgeous "painted" pumpkin pillow tutorial made with scraps by Krista Moser.

I've got a patchwork pumpkin block + pillow or table runner pattern here.

Leila Gardunia has a the cutest Foundation Paper Pieced Pumpkin quilt blocks, perfect for using fall colored fabric scraps!

Last year I created a name for the emotion that I realized I tend to feel intensely this time of year:

FOMOOF = Fear Of Missing Out On Fall

Fall comes early in the mountains near my home which means it leaves there earlier as well. This week I made some time to get up to the mountains for a hike in one of my favorite spots. It was such a beautiful time to just be present outside - no earphones - just quiet time with my thoughts and beautiful scenery.

I'm so glad I took the time to soak it up as much as I did, even if sewing machines and other responsibilities were neglected for a bit. Especially since it's going to storm this weekend and will probably take most of the color on the peaks with it. (Fortunately there is still more Fall color to enjoy closer to home over the coming weeks.)

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, and you didn't subscribe to this newsletter as a nature documentary, but honestly, I'm grateful for opportunities to get outside during this beautiful season, breathe fresh air, and gain perspective.

I've shared this before, but can't share it too much. One of my favorite John Muir quotes sums up perfectly the healing and rejuvenation that comes for me from being outside:

I'm even more grateful I took some time for mental grounding as a few days later we were thrown and devastating curve ball with the unexpected loss of a dear brother-in-law. Our hearts are gutted for his family and things that were on our 'to-do' lists are taking a back seat - including sharing pictures of a new quilt. That will come. Thanks for your patience with me as we prioritize family for a bit.

Just getting into nature doesn't solve all of the worlds' problems or heal every heartache or answer every hard question, but it does give one the opportunity for some grounding, to take a deep breath and somehow a gain clearer perspective on what matters most, how to move forward, and hopefully help.

I hope you can get outside wherever you are too. And maybe a good bowl of your favorite soup.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

xo,

Amy

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