Fall at gonma usually means yarn, but this roundup takes a small detour to the sewing machine. These nine free patterns turn fabric scraps into the coziest autumn home decor — plump fabric pumpkins for the mantel, a leafy table runner for the Thanksgiving table, quilted acorn coasters for the kitchen, and a wreath pillow that makes any couch feel like October. Each project below is described in my own words with credit to the original designer.
The original roundup this is inspired by is hellolidy.com — visit it to see the designers’ original photos and full patterns.
What you’ll need
- A sewing machine (a basic machine handles everything on this list)
- Quilting cotton and craft felt in fall shades: orange, rust, mustard, brown, cream
- Polyester fiberfill for stuffing pumpkins and pincushions
- Thread, hand needles, pins or fabric clips
- Scissors or a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
- An iron and ironing board
- Optional: batting or heat-proof interfacing for items that handle hot dishes, embroidery supplies or fusible web for the monogrammed projects
9 Fall Home Decor Free Sewing Patterns
Save1. Pumpkin Star Pot Holder
Stacey’s design finishes your fall kitchen in about one to two hours using leftover fabric scraps from other projects. It’s a quilted, pumpkin-shaped pot holder built around a star block — pretty enough to hang on the wall, sturdy enough to actually use. Check her post for the full pattern.
Tip: sew the star block from scrappy prints against a solid background — the star shape reads much more clearly that way.
Save2. DIY Fabric Pumpkins Home Decor
Stacey’s fabric pumpkins are the classic fall sewing project, and these are made in floral fall prints. Sew a tube, gather both ends, stuff it, cinch it into pumpkin sections, and add a stem — then scatter them strategically on the couch, the mantel, or the coffee table to make the whole room feel more interesting.
Tip: make them in three sizes and two or three prints — a mixed cluster looks styled rather than duplicated.
Save3. Fall Acorn Coasters
Leslie’s acorn-shaped coasters double as a dining table centerpiece for fall gatherings. Each coaster has a quilted nut body, a contrasting cap, and a leafy detail on top with a lovely print design. The pattern uses simple sewing techniques, so it’s an excellent pick if you’re still new to quilting — and a set of four or six makes an easy hostess gift.
Tip: quilt your fabric layers before cutting the acorn shape — small pieces are much harder to quilt afterward.
Save4. Leafy Table Runner
If one project could turn a room from “summer” to “fall,” it’s Heidi Lund’s leafy table runner. Trail appliquéd or patchwork leaves down the length of the runner and follow the sewing instructions on her blog post for a similar one. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift for housewarming parties and Thanksgiving gatherings — just size the rectangle to your table.
Tip: arrange all the leaves on the finished top and step back to check the layout from across the room before stitching anything down.
Save5. DIY Fall Wreath Pillow
Skip the plain old throw pillows: Vanessa Christenson designed this fall leaves wreath cushion to spice up a couch, armchair, or reading nook without giving up comfort. The wreath of appliquéd fall leaves wraps around a standard cushion, so you get the autumn look with the same softness you’d nap on.
Tip: cut leaves in three sizes and layer them generously — a full, overlapping wreath looks far better than a flat ring.
Save6. Three Tiered Pumpkin Pincushion
Petro Neagu’s floral-printed pumpkin pincushion might be the quirkiest one on this list — and it doubles as desk decor, so it earns its spot even after fall is over. Stack a few stuffed, cinched fabric pumpkins in graduated sizes, join them through the centers, and finish with a stem. Cute, useful, and it sits right on your sewing desk.
Tip: tuck a small piece of steel wool into the top pumpkin’s stuffing — it sharpens your pins every time you push one in.
Save7. Fall Felt Leaves in Vase
Dana created these beautiful felt fall leaves in minutes with minimal supplies: trace, cut, add a center vein, and you’re done. Use them as they are in a vase for instant autumn, or string them together into a cute garland. Felt doesn’t fray, so there’s no hemming or finishing to worry about — and you can experiment with color combinations to match other seasons and holidays too.
Tip: cut leaves in five or six autumn shades and mix them boldly — color variety is what makes the vase look real.
Save8. Monogram Pumpkin Fall Door Hanger
Looking for personalized fall door decor? Anne Weaver’s monogram pumpkin is a free sewing pattern for an autumn-themed door or wall hanger with a monogram for personalization. The quilted pumpkin is pieced from fabric wedges and the initial sits front and center — exactly the kind of front-door piece that makes guests assume you hired a decorator.
Tip: back the hanger with a layer of heavy interfacing so it hangs flat and crisp against the door.
Save9. DIY 15-Minute Monogrammed Pumpkin
Lisa Archer’s written tutorial takes just fifteen minutes and nothing more: make a monogrammed 3D pumpkin with a fabric cover over a pumpkin form, finished with a stem and a leaf. It’s the fastest personalized fall decor you’ll make all season — a great last-minute addition to a Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Tip: no embroidery machine? Cut your initial from felt and blanket-stitch it onto the fabric — it looks just as charming.
Caring for your sewn fall decor
- Dust, don’t wash: Fabric pumpkins and felt leaves collect dust — a lint roller or a cool blast from a hair dryer handles it.
- Spot clean only: Dab stains with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry. Don’t machine-wash stuffed pumpkins; they’ll lose their shape.
- Keep them out of direct sun: Fall prints fade quickly in bright sunlight — rotate mantel and table pieces every few weeks if they sit in a bright spot.
- Store stuffed, not squashed: Pack pumpkins and pincushions loosely in breathable bags between seasons so they keep their round shape.
- Know which ones handle heat: Pot holders lined with heat-proof batting can grab hot dishes, but felt and plain batting cannot — keep decorative-only pieces away from the stove.
That’s all nine — from a 15-minute monogrammed pumpkin to a full leafy table runner. Pick the one that matches your fabric stash, dig out the scraps, and get sewing. Happy fall!
