Crafty Autumn Home Ideas

Simple makes to bring the season indoors

As the leaves outside begin to turn golden and the evenings draw in, there’s nothing lovelier than bringing a touch of autumn indoors. It doesn’t have to be complicated or costly, often the simplest, handmade touches can transform your home into a cosy haven.

Here are a few of my favourite crafty autumn home ideas that you can whip up with fabric scraps, a little imagination, and maybe a warm spiced pumpkin latte by your side, especially in one of our new autumnal designed latte mugs. See here: Gift Shop

1. Pumpkin Pin Cushions

Pumpkins are the symbol of autumn, and they’re far too charming to save just for Halloween. A little pumpkin pin cushion is not only practical but also makes a delightful seasonal decoration for your sewing room or living space. Make them in different sizes to create your own fabric “pumpkin patch.”

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2. Cosy Candle Wraps

Plain glass jars can be transformed into autumn lanterns with fabric or paper wraps. Try stitching together strips of warm-toned fabric to create patchwork sleeves that slip over jars. Pop in a tea light (or a battery candle for safety), and enjoy the flickering glow.

3. Seasonal Table Runners

Nothing sets the mood for autumn meals like a scrappy table runner in shades of russet, gold, and deep green. A quick “quilt-as-you-go” runner can be stitched in an afternoon, and it’s a wonderful way to use up leftover strips. Pair it with rustic crockery and a few apples or pumpkins for a charming table centre.

4. Little Autumn Keepsakes

Sometimes, it’s the small touches that bring the most joy:

• Stuffed fabric acorns made from tiny scraps.

• Mini scarecrows or stitched owls.

• Quilted coasters in warm tones.

They don’t take long to make, but they add character to shelves, windowsills, and nooks around the home.

Make-Do-and-Mend Spirit

One of the loveliest things about crafting for autumn is that it celebrates resourcefulness. Using scraps, re-purposing fabrics, and turning what you already have into seasonal treasures feels both sustainable and creative. It’s crafting in its truest, most joyful form.

October is one of those months that seems to wrap us in a warm hug. The leaves turn golden, the nights draw in, and we all find ourselves reaching for those cosy comforts that make home feel extra special. At Family Comforts, this season is one of our favourites, not only for the beautiful colours and textures it inspires in our sewing, but also for the comforting food, warm fabrics, and new projects it brings.

Autumn Comforts in the Kitchen

As the seasons shift, we naturally spend more time in the kitchen. Autumn is all about comfort meals, dishes that bring family together and fill the home with the most delicious aromas. Think of apple crumbles made from seasonal fruit, chutney preserves bubbling away using up the last of the summer harvest, and our very own spiced apple cake recipe (which you can find in our Spooky Stitching Edition 9 newsletter) – a new Family Comforts favourite that’s perfect with a cup of tea on a chilly afternoon.

A Seasonal Refresh for Your Home

Just as we change our wardrobes at this time of year, our homes can enjoy a refresh too. By swapping over cushions and throws you can give your living space an instant autumnal lift. This season is all about luxurious fabrics and warm colours, from rich chocolate browns and velvety burgundies to deep navies and soft camel tones.

If you’re looking for inspiration, our ‘Pillow Talk’ Cushion Companion Handy Guide (Click here for link) is packed with helpful tips and techniques for making cushions with personality. Or why not try our ‘Velvet Trinity’ cushion pattern (click here for link) – a beautiful autumnal design that works wonderfully in velvet? And if you’re a little nervous about working with trickier fabrics like velvet, corduroy, or faux fur, we’ve taken the fear away in our Handy Guide to Sewing with Difficult Materials (link) – full of step-by-step advice to make even the most challenging fabrics fun.

Sewing Inspiration This Month

October is the perfect month to start a new project, and we’ve made sure you have plenty of inspiration at your fingertips. Whether you’re planning a handmade gift, treating yourself to a new bag pattern, or dipping into one of our Handy Guides (link), this is the time to enjoy the process and let your creativity flow.

Maybe it’s also the time to start thinking about starting any handmade gifts you may want to give for Christmas presents?

Bringing It All Together

Autumn is about comfort, warmth, and slowing down. When you fill your home with handmade touches, a leaf garland draped across the mantle, a little fabric pumpkin on the windowsill, or a table set with a scrappy runner, you’re not just decorating. You’re weaving memories, celebrating the season, and surrounding yourself with the things that make life feel special.

So why not set aside an afternoon to try one of these crafty autumn ideas? Put the kettle on, gather your scraps, and let the magic of autumn find its way into your home.

Whether you’re baking spiced apple cake, curling up under a handmade quilt, or stitching your latest Family Comforts project, we hope this October brings you the warmth, inspiration, and cosy moments that make the season so special.