October.  Autumn.

Image from Country Living.

October is always a big month here - we're usually in the midst of getting ready for Fall Quilt Market.  While that has been postponed until April 2022, there is still a new catalog on the way, filled with collections that will be at your favorite quilt shop next Spring.  

This month is also Breast Cancer Awareness, and Moda's third Stitch Pink event.  The Sincerely Yours collection was caught up with the global shipping issues affecting every industry, so the fabrics were a bit late in arriving.  But they're here now, and they're already on the way to shops!  This year's project is Together by Sherri McConnell (QLD210).

Sherri has done a series of five video tutorials to help guide quilters through the making of the three different blocks, the sashing and cornerstones, and the final assembly.  The sew-along begins Friday, October 15, and will continue for two weeks.  Sherri will also be sharing a free pattern for a small Together wallhanging as a Bonus.  

Finishing at 41" square, Sherri made this with the leftovers from her fabrics.  Additional background will be required - from the collection, or Bella 9900 98 or 9900 200.  And, yes, you'll still need the Together pattern - QLD210.

Tuesday, October 5 is World Teacher's Day, and if you're reading this, thank a teacher.  

There are several new quilt book releases this month that we're looking forward to.  

Home & Hearth by Sherri McConnell.  As the Martingale folks wrote... "Just as a home's hearth warms the family, this collection of quilts, pillows, table runners, and other delightful objects from designer Sherri McConnell will warm the hearts of your family and friends. Brimming with 14 pretty and practical projects, this book is a must-have addition to every quilter's library. McConnell, perhaps best known for her fan-favorite blog, AQuiltingLife.com, also shares helpful advice for featuring quilts and smaller projects to create the home you love."

A Quilting Life Planner and Workbook by Sherri McConnell.  Martingale's description is, "Expert planner and organizer Sherri McConnell of AQuiltingLife.com guides you step-by-step, sharing tips and resources so you can easily and efficiently organize your quilting projects, supplies, and time. Gain a complete perspective of the systems and ideas Sherri finds most helpful. Keep a thorough record of your quilting projects, patterns, tools, notions, and more. Track your progress. Learn how better organization can lead to more free time to sew."

I've added a few non-quilting books to my nightstand.  Per the recommendation of Laurie Simpson, one of Moda's most prolific readers, I've started reading The Crossing Places, Book 1 of the Ruth Galloway Series by Elly Griffiths.  Laurie loves British murder mysteries, and wrote that these "cozy mysteries are just the thing for October."

I might have already gotten Books 2 and 3 - The Janus Stone and The House at Sea's End.  Laurie said they don't have to be read in order, but the recurring characters make it a bit more fun.

I know that January is National Baking Month, but I really think it should be October.  The magazine racks are filled with special issues for Fall Baking, Fall Desserts, Apple and Pumpkin, and so on.  While I'm not a big fan of pumpkin desserts, I love anything made with apples.  I ran across both of these recipes recently, and I've already made them.  

Butternut Bakery's Moist Apple Cider Cake.  As soon as I saw this on Instagram - @butternutbakery - I made a grocery list.  (And bought a new bundt pan.)  This is as moist as the title implies, and I loved the cinnamon sugar "crust" on the outside.  Jenna is one of my favorite bakers, so this Apple Butter Spice Cake is on my to-bake list.

Do you like oatmeal?

Bon Appetit's Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal.  I love the texture of baked oatmeal, and the mix of steel cut oatmeal and rolled oats is very nice.  There are nuts for a bit of crunch, maple syrup and apples for some sweetness, and carrots to make us feel like this is really healthy.  I skipped the cream and added a bit of Greek yogurt.  The orange adds a nice flavor, and the next time I make this, I will substitute dried cranberries for the raisins.

If desserts aren't your thing, then National Taco Day is Monday, October 4.  Though really, isn't every day Taco Day?

El Arroyo Texas, a very good restaurant in Austin.  They're known for their big signboard in front of the restaurant.

With baking, cooking and getting ready for the holidays, one of the items on my to-make list is kitchen towels - for myself, and for gifts.  Martha Stewart recently shared that she keeps a stack of bar cloths at the ready, including having a couple that are damp for quick clean-ups while baking-cooking.  Bar cloths come in two sizes - 12" x 12" and 16" x 19".  (They're also called "bar mops.")  I prefer the larger size, and those are easily made with Moda Toweling being available in 16" and 18" hemmed widths.

These are a few of Jenelle Kent's Lakeside Toweling, they're the 18" finished width.  I cut lengths that are 22" long so that they finish at roughly 18" x 20" after hemming and washing.  If you want to make these as a gift, I recommend a stack of six, tied with a string or ribbon.

How much toweling do you need for a dozen towels?  Extra has been added for the hem and shrinkage.

For the 16" wide toweling:

• 16" square towel - 6¼ yards will yield 12 - 18" lengths.  
• 18" wide toweling:

• 18" square towel - 6¾ yards will yield 12 - 20" lengths.  
• 18" x 22" towel - 8 yards will yield 12 - 24" lengths.

For how to hem the lengths of toweling, and another idea for using it - Got Toweling?  To see the many options available - Moda Toweling.  (Just remember that only Moda's wholesale customers can shop the website.  This is to see options, and get the Stock Number of something you'd like your favorite quilt shop to order for you.)

 

Also from Country Living.

Pumpkins.  I love the variety of color, shape, and texture.  

The last thing to share is from last year's Stitch Pink.  Four small stitching projects from Susan Ache, Anne Sutton, Kathy Schmitz and Brenda Riddle.  If you didn't get around to making them last year, they'd all make lovely gifts for stitchy-friends.

Clockwise from upper-left:

• Susan Ache's Stamped Heart Cross Stitch
• Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs Sweet Meadow Embroidery
• Brenda Riddle's Pink Band Cross Stitch Sampler
• Kathy Schmitz' A Cut Above Embroidery 

There's more coming this month so stay tuned.

Have a terrific Fall weekend!