Ready to open your bookbag in September at Schoolhouse Haven? This Nancy Halvorsen pattern from Art to Heart captures everything nostalgic about back-to-school season – red schoolhouses, eager students, and that crisp autumn feeling when new beginnings are in the air. It's the kind of design that makes you want to sharpen your pencils and settle in for a cozy stitching session while the leaves start to turn.

Here's what's worth knowing about Nancy Halvorsen's "On Wander Lane" series: each month tells a story. You're not just making a quilt block – you're visiting different neighborhoods throughout the year. September finds us at Schoolhouse Haven, where learning is celebrated and autumn's gentle arrival brings excitement for new adventures. The whimsical folk art style is what you might find in a charming children's book, but sophisticated enough to enjoy displaying year-round.

What's Included in Your Pattern:

• 8.5" x 11" Pattern Booklet: Complete instructions for your main 12" center block plus six bonus projects
• Folded Insert with Templates: Full-size appliqué templates and placement diagrams that you can remove without damaging the booklet (clever design, honestly)
• Multiple Project Options: 30" x 30" standalone quilt, additional appliqué and pieced quilt, table topper, pot holder, pillows, mini quilt, and mug rug
• Free Fabric List: Downloadable color copy of complete fabric requirements for the 30" quilt

Your Project Options:

This is where Nancy's patterns really shine – flexibility. You can make the 30" x 30" standalone Schoolhouse Haven quilt and call it done (it's gorgeous on its own). Or, if you're the type who, once you start a series, have to collect them all, you can gather the entire 12-month collection and create the spectacular 60" x 72" "On Wander Lane" quilt that tells the story of a whole year on this charming street.

The six bonus projects mean you get serious value from one pattern. Many quilters make the main quilt for their own homes and then use the smaller projects as gifts – the mini quilts and mug rugs make simple back-to-school teacher gifts or autumn hostess presents.

What You'll Need:

The pattern includes all your templates and instructions, but you'll supply the fabric, thread, and basic quilting notions. The techniques include standard machine piecing, appliqué, and some hand embroidery details – nothing too intimidating if you've done some quilting before. The pattern works beautifully with both fusible and needle-turn appliqué methods, so you can use whichever technique you prefer.

Perfect for:

• Quilters who love back-to-school themes but want something more sophisticated than cartoon apples
• Anyone who's done some quilting and wants to try Nancy Halvorsen's beloved appliqué style
• Block-of-the-month enthusiasts (this is September, but you can start the series any time)
• Gift-giving to teachers, students, or anyone who appreciates the charm of folk art
• Creating an autumn wall hanging that works in both traditional and farmhouse decor

Why You'll Love This Pattern:

There's something genuinely magical about Nancy Halvorsen's design style. Her appliqué work has that whimsical, delightful quality that makes you smile every time you look at it, but it's never juvenile or overly cute. The schoolhouse elements in this pattern feel warm and inviting – like stepping back into a simpler time when learning was an adventure and autumn meant new possibilities.

What makes this pattern particularly appealing is how it manages to be both manageable and interesting. Block-of-the-month patterns let you take your time with each section without feeling overwhelmed by a huge project. If September gets crazy (and doesn't it always?), you can set this aside and come back to it without losing your place in some complicated construction sequence.

The appliqué templates are thoughtfully designed – Nancy clearly understands that we want our finished pieces to look polished without requiring a degree in precision sewing. The shapes are forgiving, and the layered design means small imperfections add to the handmade charm.

Do back-to-school projects make you feel hopeful and nostalgic? It's because they remind us of fresh starts and the excitement of learning something new. This pattern captures that feeling perfectly – it's educational and inspiring without being overwhelming.

Product Details:

• Brand: Art to Heart
• Designer: Nancy Halvorsen
• Category: Quilting Pattern
• Skill Level: Confident Beginner
• Techniques: Standard Machine Sewing, Appliqué, Hand Embroidery
• Booklet Size: 8.5" x 11"
• Main Quilt Size: 30" x 30"
• Series Quilt Size: 60" x 72" (if collecting all 12 months)
• Made in the United States