As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the crisp autumn air invites us to cosy up in warm sweaters, it is the perfect time to embrace the joys of old-fashioned fall hobbies. These wonderful, timeless activities bring a sense of relaxation and help us connect to a slow-paced life.
Finding time for these simple yet fulfilling activities becomes even more precious with our busy lifestyles. The fall season invites us to slow down, appreciate the beauty of nature, and cherish each moment that every season offers us.
Let’s explore 10 charming old-fashioned fall hobbies that capture the season’s essence and rediscover the simple pleasures that can enrich our lives with joy.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
1. Handmade Potpourri and Scent Sachets
Making potpourri and scent sachets is a wonderful way to capture the essence of fall and infuse your home with comforting aromas. Gather dried flowers, herbs, spices, and essential oils to create custom blends that reflect the season. Try using my pin cushion tutorial to make a simple patchwork scent sachet out of fabric.
Potpourri Tips:
- Dry your own flowers and herbs, or purchase them from a local market.
- Combine ingredients like dried oranges, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and lavender for a delightful autumn scent.
2. Quilting by the Warm Fireplace
Fall is an ideal time to start a quilting project. Working with warm layers of fabric is more enjoyable in the cooler months. Have fun selecting warm, autumnal fabrics and piecing them together to create a cosy quilt. Quilting is a wonderful skill to learn because you can produce a beautiful, functional piece that can be cherished for years.
Get Started:
- If you’re new to quilting, begin with a simple patchwork quilt.
- Join a local quilting group or follow online tutorials for inspiration and guidance. If you need help with sewing, check out some of my sewing tutorials.
3. Baking a Delicious Fruit Pie
Baking fruit pies can be a lovely old-fashioned fall hobby that invites you to slow down and savour the season’s bounty. Try making a pie crust from scratch and filling it with seasonal fruits and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Pulling a golden, warm, bubbling pie from the oven and sharing it with friends and family is so enjoyable.
Don’t want to make pastry? Try making my family’s favourite apple crumble.
Baking Tips:
- Use seasonal fruits like apples, pears or cranberries.
- Have fun with the pie crust. Try braiding the top or cutting in pretty autumn designs. Don’t forget to sprinkle it with sugar!
4. Canning and Preserving Fall Harvest Fruits and Vegetables
As the fall harvest comes in, it’s a great time to try your hand at canning and preserving. Canning has been a popular method of preserving food for a long time and remains popular today. From apple and pear butter to pickled vegetables, these homemade preserves can be canned and enjoyed all year round.
Canning Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality produce for the best results.
- Follow safety guidelines to ensure your preserves are safe to eat. Check out Ball Canning for recipes, or try these recipe books below:
Canning Supplies
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Buy Now →
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 5. Making Homemade Spiced Candles
The warm glow and comforting scents of homemade candles can make your home so cosy as the days grow shorter. Try making spiced candles with scents like cinnamon, clove, and vanilla that evoke the cosiness of fall.
Try a simmer pot instead if you don’t want to make candles!
Candle Making Tips:
- Use natural waxes like soy or beeswax for a cleaner burn.
- Experiment with different essential oils and spices for unique blends.
6. Creating a Fall Scrapbook
Capture the memories of fall with scrapbooking. As a kid, my cousins and I scrapbooked every school holiday, and it was so much fun creating pages of memories. Collect photos, leaves, and memorabilia of the season to create beautiful pages documenting your autumn adventures.
Scrapbooking Essentials:
- Gather a variety of papers, embellishments, and tools.
- Print out your favourite photos from the season using a Fujifilm pixel printer for a fun, nostalgic touch.
7. Baking Seasonal Autumn Treats
Fall is known for delicious baked goods. Think of these classic old-fashioned recipes: moist pumpkin bread, oozing cinnamon rolls and soft apple butter cookies. Spend some time baking these yummy treats with your family. Plus, the heat from the oven warms up the house, bonus!
Baking Tips:
- Use seasonal ingredients like apples, pumpkins, and cinnamon.
- Pair baking with a seasonal hot drink like a pumpkin spice latte.
8. Pressing and Framing Autumn Leaves
Preserve the beauty of fall foliage by using the old-fashioned technique of pressing leaves and creating framed botanical art. Collect various colourful leaves and press them between the pages of a heavy book. Once dried, arrange them in a frame to create a beautiful piece of seasonal decor.
Pressing Techniques:
- Ensure leaves are dry before pressing to prevent mould.
- Use a pressed flower frame that looks beautiful.
9. Knitting Cosy Pieces
With cooler weather, knitting warm, cosy pieces like scarves, sweaters, hats, and gloves is an ode to the past. Knitting is a wonderful skill to have. Create beautiful, soft pieces with yarns and rich fall colours to create items that will keep you warm all season long.
Knitting Projects:
- Start with simple patterns and progress to more complex designs.
- Join a knitting group for community and support.
10. Homemade Soap Making
Making your own soap is a delightful and practical hobby that dates back to simpler times. With the abundance of natural ingredients available in the fall, you can craft soaps infused with seasonal scents like pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and apple. Homemade soaps make wonderful gifts and add a touch of autumnal charm to your home.
Soap Making Tips:
- Use natural ingredients such as goat’s milk, shea butter, and essential oils.
- Experiment with different moulds and additives like dried herbs or flower petals.
Soap Making Supplies
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Conclusion
In conclusion, these 10 old-fashioned hobbies invite you to embrace the spirit of fall, slow down, and savour the season’s simple joys. Whether you’re creating beautiful crafts, indulging in homemade treats, or capturing the beauty of nature, these timeless pursuits connect us to the essence of a season filled with warmth, creativity, and cherished memories. Embrace the old-fashioned charm of these hobbies to make your fall days memorable and meaningful.
Do you want to embrace old-fashioned hobbies every season? You’ll love these 10 Charming Old-Fashioned Summer Hobbies and 11 Cosy Old-Fashioned Hobbies to Try This Winter.
