Autumn Centerpiece

Heather Bailey is the designer of some amazing fabrics and super cute patterns. I recently fell in love with this darling pincushion pattern called, "Fresh Picked". Although the pattern is intended to be used for Heather's fabrics, it would be really cool to choose some fabric in solid colors, maybe with a bit of metallic sheen, to mix with the felt to make a few of the fruits she included in her set. The pattern is for a pear, apple, tomato and strawberry.

In the November issue of Martha Stewart Living, they show a gorgeous display of hand sewn pumpkins. You'll have to pick up the issue to check hers out, but below are a few I whipped up with some scrap fabric I had. The pattern is startlingly easy. You simply cut a piece of fabric twice as wide as it is tall (e.g. 5" x 10"). Sew up the side to make a tube. Sew a running stitch along the bottom and cinch to close the opening. Stuff the shape and close with a running stitch and cinch. You can use yarn or floss with a yarn needle to pass through the center to create the ridges. Cut a stem and leaf shape from felt and tack on the top with thread or even a little fabric glue.

You can take all your cute fabric fruits and veggies and arrange them into a cornucopia or line a cakestand with a mixture of felt and silk leaves and artfully mound your creations in the center. You could even transition the centerpiece to the holidays by tucking in a few small glass bulbs and sprigs of berries.