It’s officially dilly dally season (aka fall/autumn), and my question for you: what’s your favorite way to dilly dally and wander through your home? Here are mine:
- ✨ Sewing or quilting
- 💕 Knitting dishcloths
- ✨ Making up the bed with crisp, clean sheets
- 💕 Opening all the windows
- ✨ Baking something scrumptious
- 💕 Making soup
- ✨ Reading a lovely book
In today’s post, I’m going to walk you through a handful of ideas (plus extras) to lean into that “puttering around the house” seaspm, deepen your cozy habits, and use vintage or slow-craft skills to bring autumn softness into your days.
Why Dilly Dallying Actually Matters
Before we dive into tips, I want to pause on why this matters. In a culture of constant doing, dilly dallying is a great way to slow TF down. ;P It lets us:
- Slow our nervous systems
- Notice small pleasures (the scent of the kitchen, the feel of a cozy blanket)
- Reconnect to our home as a sanctuary, not just a to-do list
- Cultivate patience, contentment, and resilience.
Plus, many of the vintage crafts we’ll mention (quilting, knitting, sewing) aren’t just “cute” — they offer proven mental health benefits. Quilting, especially, has long been praised for being meditative and restorative. In fact, engaging in quilting and slow stitching is linked to better sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced mindfulness. (feelgoodfibers.com)
So, put aside the pressure to be “productive.” Today is for savoring.
Cozy Activity Ideas to Try This Fall
Let’s walk through some of your favorites (and a few extras) and talk about how to make them feel extra magical this season.
1. Sewing / Quilting
I love this for many reasons — it’s tactile, timeless, and so satisfying to watch a quilt grow under your hands.
Why it’s a total vibe
- The repetitive stitching is a great way to ease our minds. (sewendipitous.com)
- There’s a sense of permanence in creating something that lasts.
- Quilts connect us to the past — to ancestors or traditions of “slow craft.”
How to make it cozy this fall
- Use rich, autumnal fabrics (warm rusts, deep greens, jewel tones)
- Stitch near a window.
- Break your project into small “micro sessions” (15–30 min)
- Join or host a quilting bee (yes, real tradition!) — quilting bees historically were social gatherings for conversation + stitching together. (Wikipedia)
Quick tip
Keep a small fabric scrap jar nearby. When you have 8–10 bits of leftover fabric, you can start a mini patch quilt or coaster project!
2. Knitting Dishcloths
This is one of my sneaky favorite dilly-dally tasks:
- It’s small and manageable
- You see progress quickly (especially in cotton yarn)
- It gives you something both functional and handmade
Fall twist
- Choose fall-tone yarns (pumpkin spice, moss, deep teal)
- Knit by candlelight in the evenings
- Use your dishcloths as little seasonal decor accents in the kitchen
3. Making the Bed with Fresh Sheets
There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping into a bed with crisp, freshly laundered sheets. To make it extra soothing:
- Use flannel or heavier cotton sheets once the nights cool
- Add a quilt or a chunky knitted throw to the foot of the bed
- Air out your pillows and pillowslips by opening windows
- Arrange a small seasonal accent (a sprig of dried maple leaves, a linen sachet) on the pillow
- Make a homemade fabric spray using cloves or other fall scents!
4. Opening All the Windows
I know — in autumn we often want everything closed against the chill. But for those daytime hours when it’s just cool enough:
- Let fresh air sweep through: it resets the energy
- Use sheer curtains so wind can dance in
- Pause and smell: crisp air, turning leaves, distant bonfires
I often pair this with brewing a small mug of hot tea or cocoa, planting myself in a cozy chair to just be or maybe read a book.
5. Baking Something Scrumptious
Nothing says cozy like the alchemy of flour, spices, and warmth.
Fall baking ideas
- Apple muffins or bread
- Pumpkin loaf or pumpkin-spiced cookies
- Spiced oatmeal cookies
Tips to make it extra cozy
- Pre-measure spices the night before
- Display your baked goodies in a pretty cake plate or vintage bread box.
- Light an unscented candle while you bake (or many of them haha)
- Share extras (neighbors, friends, family)
6. Soup Making
We all know I am OBSESSED with soup. Obsessed. And it’s just one of my favorite parts of fall and winter.
Favorite fall soups
- Lasagna Soup
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Broccoli Soup
- Tortilla Soup
Tips
- Chop ahead and store veggies in fridge ready to go
- Save and freeze small portions for when you just need a pick me up!
- Serve with a fresh loaf and buttered toast
7. Reading a Lovely Book
Last but never least: curling up with a book is peak fall dilly dallying.
Some Reading Recommendations
- Any Sarah M. Eden Book (I love Seeking Persephone)
- The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass
- Pollyanna (this is my edition)
- Anne of Green Gables (this is my edition)
Creating a Cozy Atmosphere (Homey Touches)
Here are some tips to boost the cozy vibes in your home for fall.
Layer textures & fabrics
- Chunky knits, woven throws, linen curtains, velvet pillows
- Designers now favor natural fibers like wool, cashmere, mohair, and tactile textures like bouclé for fall coziness (Homes and Gardens)
Light to invite softness
- Use multiple lamps (no overhead harsh glare)
- String twinkle lights or soft Edison bulbs
- Candles (flameless or real) amplify that flicker warmth
- Place a lamp behind translucent curtains to make them glow
Autumnal color palettes
- Rust, deep ochre, burnt orange, forest green, cranberry
- Use these colors in small accent pieces (throw pillows, dish towels, vases)
- Swap out summer florals for branches, dried leaves, wheat, seed pods, or muted hydrangea (Posh Pennies)
Scents of fall
- Simmer pots (apple, cinnamon, clove, citrus peel)
- Beeswax or soy candles with subtle scent (not overpowering)
- Use freshly baked goods or herbs (sage, rosemary) to blanket the air
Intention + display
- Display your handmade items (quilt, knitted dishcloths) rather than tucking them away
- Use vintage vessels (a milk pitcher, an old mason jar) for branches or kitchen utensils
- Rotate “small vignettes” (a favorite book + candle, a stack of fabric scraps) to surprise the eye
Final Thoughts
Dilly dallying isn’t lazy. It’s intentional, gentle living. It’s about having a slower pace and enjoying the moment. I hope this post gave you some fun ideas for your fall dilly dallying.