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This is a foundation pieced block and it
takes four to make a single wreath. It is also a scrap bag style
of quilt so you may not need to purchase a thing if you are, like
me and have a stash and a large bin of multi-coloured
scraps.
FABRICS NEEDED
White-on-white background - use a different one for each block
or, two white-on- whites, so there is a little contrast in the
background. Because it is hard to simplify what you will need I’d
suggest you use your scraps or purchase a couple of quarters which
should make several sets of blocks . Brown scraps for trunks. Pot
colours from scraps. Make each of the four pots different. Four
tree colours, scraps or 6" squares.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOCK PATTERN
This block is so simple that you don’t need a newsletter
pattern, just follow the instructions and you will construct your
own pattern that will be the same size as the others, providing
you sew a real 1/4" seam when you join them and your pattern
points are exactly where they should be. PATTERN MAKING STEPS
Take a piece of freezer paper. Fold into a four section unit that
will make a 6 3/4" by 6 3/4" square, with the shiny side
inside. Draw a 6" Square in the centre of the folded paper.
One corner is the pot , mark a "P". The tree top is
diagonally across from "P", mark it with a tiny
"T". Draw in the diagonal lightly from "T" to
"P" . Measure up from the pot tip, 1 1/4 inch and mark.
Do the same on the opposite pot side. Join the two points to make
the pot. From the same pot end , on the same lines, measure up 3
inches and mark. Repeat on the other pot side. Join these two
points. You now have the tree bottom. Now join up the side points,
at the 3" marks to the tree top point called "T".
This central triangle is the tree. Between the pot and tree build
a trunk by measuring and marking a 1/4" seam on both sides of
the centre line. Staple the four folded sheet in several places to
keep the sheets in place. Unthread your sewing machine, take out
the bobbin. Put in a dull needle and tighten up your stitches a
little. Now trace your tree, pot and trunk lines with your
threadless needle, giving you your foundation piece marks. The
last two steps before you sew is to draw the 1/4" seam
allowance around the master foundation blocks. Now mark the master
foundation sections as follows. 1 is the trunk, 2 and 3 are
background sides, 4 is pot, 5 is the tree portion 6 and 7 are the
tree backgrounds. Cut out the quarter block package just outside
the seam allowance lines. Pull out the staples . Number the last
three sections, marked by the needle marks and corresponding to
the top drawn block. When Sewing the block, rethread and follow
the number sequence. To speed up the process, work all four blocks
,i.e. make all the trunks and sides and then add the pots etc.
Trim and press seams flat after every seam . The shiny FP backing
will hold the fabric in place after you iron it. (This is a
Heather Bethel trick) . When all four blocks are finished trim
along the outer 1/4" seam allowance lines giving you four, 6
1/2" unfinished blocks. Then join the pots into twos.
Finally, join the 2 sets to make one 4-block 12 1/2" by 12
1/2" unfinished block with a pot centre. Tear out the paper.
Press flat taking care not to stretch the block. Sew a flat button
into the pot centre. Your tree wreath is completed.
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