"Summer in Autumn" Patchwork Appliqué: Using Up Fabric Scraps

If you love patchwork or sewing clothes, you surely accumulate small fabric scraps that don't always have a use. From scraps about 5-7 cm in size, you can make a beautiful and vibrant patchwork appliqué. Such a sun will decorate a hot pad, a potholder, or even a chair cushion. The work does not require advanced skills—we will be paper piecing, and it can even be done by hand if you don't have a sewing machine on hand.

## Pattern for the "Sun" block

The sample in the photo was made on a sheet of graph paper, so it is small in size. You can cut out pieces of a suitable size based on the sample. For the appliqué, we will need 4 paper elements with marked rays and a center, which will then be joined together.

Draw them on paper and cut with 1 cm seam allowances.

How to sew the "Summer in Autumn" block

First, select a scrap of a suitable size and pin it to the RIGHT side, which is the side opposite to the one marked on the paper. Fold the template along the marked line and trim the excess fabric, leaving a seam allowance.

Place the second piece of fabric against the fold line and sew a straight stitch. Gradually sew on all the rays of the future "summer sun." It is not necessary to strictly follow the size; if the pieces differ slightly in width, it will not spoil the finished item.

Trim the excess fabric along with the paper.

Make 4 such pieces. Spray the paper with water, let it soak a little, and remove it without damaging the seam.

Now sew the quarters in pairs, and then join the 2 semicircles of scraps.

The finished sun can be sewn on by hand with a blanket stitch, or you can add a batting backing and stitch along each ray to create volume, or attach it with a "zigzag" stitch.