A Nice Pear … and some apples too!

I can’t help but feel a little autumnal … the summer seems to be drawing very quickly to an end, although it’s still only mid-August.  The weather has turned cooler and cloudier, whilst up in the woods above the village, the trees are scarlet with berries …

 And the apple trees in the orchards are laden with fruit … 

Being conscious that Ben hasn’t featured much in my photos lately, I attempted a shot of him beneath one of the trees .. 

 Which didn’t quite turn out as planned – sorry Ben!   Thinking about  apples, I was amazed to discover that my popular Appley Dappley pattern is now two years old – I first published it in August 2011 – wherever does the time go? 

It’s currently available as a free download  on my Newsletter Readers pattern library page. (If you’re not already a newsletter reader and would like the pattern then you can join using the form at the end of this post.  It’s free and I promise that I never share your details with anyone else.  Newsletter readers receive extra free patterns, discounts and all the Bustle & Sew news every week.)  This year, inspired by the orchards around Chillington, I decided it must be time for another fruit applique – this time pears … 

I have mounted my pears on a canvas block for my kitchen wall, where they look very cheerful next to my red dotty towel.  The fabrics I chose for the patchwork background are some left over from last year’s quilting project and remind me of the English countryside all around, where the old pear trees nestle snugly in a fold of the hills. 

  The pattern for “A Nice Pear” will be in the September issue of the Bustle & Sew Magazine (published on 29th August).