Home Sweet Home QAL - Three Trees Block

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  And...if you're joining me from Kim's Crafty Apple for the Home Sweet Home QAL...WELCOME!  I hope you enjoy this block.  I had fun making it.  The step-by-step tutorial is listed below, but if' you'd like to print out a pdf version (pictures excluded), please click here.  Also, if you want to turn off the music, please scroll to the bottom of my blog...you can mute the player there.  =)

Three Trees Tutorial

by Anna M. aka Around the Quilt Block

Finished block size 12” square

Supplies:

· Background fabric – 1/4 yard (or one 7.5” x WOF strip)

· Print for checkered border—1/8 yard

· Three 2” x 3” scraps for trees (or cut scraps to this size)

· Three 0.5” x 2.25” scraps for tree trunks (or cut scraps to this size)

· Double stick light fusible web (i.e., Lite Steam-A-Seam 2)

· Embroidery floss in coordinating colors (optional)

Note: all seams are to be sewn with a 1/4” seam allowance.

 

 

Cutting Instructions:

· Background fabric—7” x WOF strip (cut in this order):

         - (1) 7.5” x 7.5” square (center background for trees)

         - *(2) 1.5” x remaining WOF (about 33-34”) for checkered border

- (2) 11” x 1” strips (outer border) - if desired, you can make these a little wider to trim to size after sewing

- (2) 12.5” x 1” strips (outer border) - if desired, you can make this a little wider to trim to size after sewing

· Checkered border fabric:

- (2) 1.5” strips in the same length as those cut for the background fabric marked with (*) above

Block Instructions:

· Center tree block:

         - Following instructions on fusible web package, stick on fabric scraps right side up for trees and tree trunks.  Fusible web has paper backing on both sides...one side will come off easily and one side won’t.  

 

Remove the paper from the side that comes off easily and press your fabrics onto the fusible web (DO NOT use an iron at this point...just press them on with your fingers.  Leave some space between the fabrics so you can cut them out.

After you’ve pressed them all on, cut them out.  

Fold each tree in half lengthwise and finger press at one end. 

Using the mark that you just finger pressed, cut from the lower right-hand corner to the mark. 

Repeat to cut from the lower left-hand corner to the mark.  You should now have a tree shape.
 

 Repeat with all of the trees.  You should have three trees and three trunks.
 

Fold the 7.5” x 7.5” background square in half and finger crease the center.  Unfold and fold in half the other way and finger crease the center. 

Peel the remaining paper off the fusible web backing for the trees and tree trunks.

Center the middle tree on the block, sliding the tree trunk under the tree just slightly to hide that edge.  

With bottom corners of trees touching, place remaining trees and tree trunks on either side of the center tree.  Be sure not to go into the seam allowance on the white square. 

 

Once you are satisfied with your tree/tree trunk placement, press the trees/tree trunks with an iron to set their placement.

Checkered border:

         - Sew one 1.5” wide background strip to one 1.5” wide print strip, matching right sides together.   

Repeat with remaining 1.5” wide background and 1.5” wide print strip.

Press towards darker fabric.

 

 Cut strips into 1.5” segments.

Sew 1.5” segments into strips, alternating print and white fabrics.  You will need to make (2) strips of seven segments (should end up 7.5” long after sewn together) and (2) strips of 11 segments (should end up 11.5” long after sewn together).

Press as desired.

Block Assembly:

Lay the checkered border strips around the center square, to ensure print squares alternate.  

 Once satisfied with layout, sew one 7.5” checkered strip to each side of the center tree square.  

Press towards center block.

Sew remaining 11.5” checkered strips to top and bottom.  Press towards center block. 

Sew one 1” x 11.5” background strip to checkered border on each side of block.  Press towards background fabric (outer border).

Sew one 1” x 12.5” background strip to checkered border on top and bottom of block.  Press towards background fabric (outer border). 

Block should measure 12.5” square.

Enjoy your block!!!

Optional:

Use embroidery floss to outline stitch around trees and/or checkered border.  (I'll be stitching around each tree and each check in the border with embroidery floss once I have my quilt top completed.)

If you make my block, please leave a comment and let me know.  Also, if you have any questions with the tutorial, please let me know and I'll answer your question as soon as possible.

Thanks again for stopping by!!!!  =)  Make it a great day!