One Scrappy Witch Block and Tote Tutorial
by Jessica Schunke of Blue Sky Modern Craft
Happy spooky crafting season! Is everyone as immersed in Halloween sewing as I am? I can’t seem to stop myself this year. There are so many cute Halloween fabrics available these days, and I wanted to create a pattern that would let me use as many of them as possible. While I’ve seen a ton of pumpkin blocks over the years, scrappy witches had yet to have their day in the sun (err…night under the moon?), so I decided to put an end to that. The result is the One Scrappy Witch block, a sassy, sweet, and just a little bit spooky addition to your Halloween sewing repertoire. I think you’ll find it’s hard to make just one of these blocks.
The free pattern includes two block sizes — 12 ½” and 18 ½” square (unfinished) — so you can choose the size that works for your needs. Consider any of these options:
• Turn the 12 ½” block into a tote bag for trick or treating — more on this below!
• Turn the 18 ½” block into a seasonal throw pillow for your couch.
• Make multiples of either block to create a table runner (three 12 ½” blocks would work great for this; you could add sashing and/or borders to make it larger if desired) or Halloween quilt (nine 18 ½” blocks in a 3 x 3 layout — again, with or without sashing and borders — would make a fun throw-size quilt).
• Include either of the blocks in a Halloween sampler quilt.
• Quilt either block as-is or stretch it over a canvas for a fun wall hanging.
• Anything else your witchy heart desires!
To help you get your creative juices flowing, I’ve also put together a tutorial for how to turn the 12.5″ block into the cutest tote for trick or treating — or anything else you need a tote with a witch’s hat for! My Havel’s 60 mm rotary cutter and 12.5″ square cutting ruler are my favorites for projects like this. The ruler is so handy for squaring up quilt blocks!
I can’t wait to see how you use the blocks in your own crafts. You can download the One Scrappy Witch block pattern on my blog here and find the tote tutorial here. Oh, and don’t forget the Boo Blocks pattern from last year! You can still download it for free here on the Havel’s blog. I turned my blocks from last year into coasters, and I’m loving how they look on my coffee table. Happy spooky crafting!
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Jessica Schunke is a proud Texan living in St. Louis, Missouri. She began sewing and quilting in 2009 after being inspired by months of reading sewing blogs. A former president and secretary of the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild, she is the owner/designer of Blue Sky Modern Craft, founded in 2021, and an editor by trade who’s bridged the gap between her work and craft, writing and tech editing her own and other designers’ patterns. In 2020, she co-founded Modern Service Quilts, an organization devoted to getting more modern honor quilts into the hands of veterans and service members. Follow her crafty adventures on her website, https://www.blueskymoderncraft.com, and on Instagram @blueskycrafter.