That’s the name I’ve given to my latest quilt (which is actually only a quilt top at the moment):
“September Song” is a ballad dating back to 1938 — well before my time! The music was written by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. I was introduced to the song in 1965 as a teenager when I bought a Frank Sinatra album (which I still have) called “September of My Years.”
The song is about a man approaching the autumn of his years looking back on his younger self. The line from “September Song” that kept going through my head as I was making the blocks is this one: “When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame . . .” I hope the oranges and golds in the fabrics evoke that image.
The quilt is a bit of a departure for me. This is not a palette that ordinarly draws me in. And I am not one of those people whose favorite season is fall. In truth, autumn makes me feel wistful and a little melancholy. I really don’t like to see the trees lose all their leaves (although I do love the look of newly fallen leaves scattered on wet pavement).
These two prints from unrelated fabric lines provided my inspiration:
The pattern I used was the Pattern Basket’s Forest Floor, a rather contemporary interpretation of a traditional leaf block. I made my blocks a bit larger and used a 3 x 4 setting with 12 blocks rather than the 4 x 5 setting with 20 blocks the pattern calls for. My quilt top measures 53” x 68” — a nice sized throw.
Next up for me is a pieced backing using a new technique I just learned about from a fellow quilter. That should be fun, and maybe it will distract from the rain and snow my fair city has been bombarded with these last few weeks.
The top looks great! A pieced back? That is unusual for you, isn’t it? Looking forward to seeing what you do.
Hi, Vickie! Actually, most of my quilt backs are pieced. I hope this new method works!
The top is lovely! haha, looking out my window wishing I had leaves on the trees now…and you are moving to when they come off already! Like you I would not usually have those colors in my stash but these look wonderful. May have to reconsider my selections next time I fabric shop. Love the pattern and love your choices for the center stars. Just delightful.
Perfect quilt top and brilliant inspiration for the name.
I love it! And I am totally enamored with your fabrics. Not my usual wheelhouse either, but together they are stunning! I must confess that I would have a hard time not adding a border of that dark fabric. So dramatic. Another gorgeous Dawn original!
I love your quilt, the fabric, and the pattern. You do beautiful work, and I’m always eager to see what you show us next.
I love your quilt top! Actually, autumn is my favorite season and I love autumn colors (different strokes , etc). I’ll definitely have to check out this pattern. Would you please share your pieced backing hack? I would to use up some older fabrics. Thanks so much!