Leaves in the Forest Quilt Along - Tips for Block 2

In Block 1, all the triangles were right triangles with a 90 degree corner and 2 equal sides, which made using strips for piecing very simple.

Block 2 is a little different. When there are triangles with one corner greater than 90 degrees (obtuse triangles), I have found that cutting a fabric rectangle is the most efficient.

So, for the colored fabrics, we will cut 3" x 7" rectangles.

The above photo shows the last colored section but they would all be sewn the same way.

The background triangles still have a 90 degree corner but the sides are different lengths. To piece these, we will be using different fabric strips for the odd and even sides. It may sound a little strange but will make sense once you do it.

Fold the pattern back along the line between section 7 and section 8 and trim the seam allowance roughly.

Lay a 4.5" fabric strip right side up and lay the block on top, right sides together. Remember to check that you have 1/4" of background fabric all around the triangle.

Sew, trim, and press the seam.

Repeat for section 9, this time using another strip with a straight edge or the other end of the same strip.

If you used the same strip, it will now look like this.

When you sew the next background sections, you will see that one end will "fit" but the other won't. 

Block 2a!

This is all very hard to explain in words so please let me know if anything doesn't make sense.

Leaves in the Forest Quilt Along - last tutorial

This will be the last tutorial post to explain how I use fabric strips for piecing.  When we get to some of the other blocks without 90 degree triangles, I will add bits of advice.

The next section is section 4. In the diagram it will be sewn using 30150-322 (russet orange).

1. Lay your 3" colored fabric strip right side up.

2. Fold the pattern along the line between sections 1, 2, and 3 and section 4 and lay it on top of the orange strip as below. The blue lines show the outline of section 4 and the red lines the edges of the orange strip. Note how there is at least 1/4" of orange fabric on all sides of section 4.

3. Carefully open the pattern back up and slide everything under the needle being careful that nothing shifts. It takes a bit of practice and if it helps you can certainly pin.

4. Sew the seam along the bottom of section 4. Sew only where the line is drawn.

5. Fold the pattern back again (it will look exactly like the first photo) and trim the seam to 1/4".

6. Open the pattern up.

7. Press the seam toward the orange triangle.

Now just keep going the same way and, before you know it, you'll have a whole block.

Note: Sew the last two seams (sections 13 & 14) all the way into the seam allowance and backstitch the ends.

Here's your block!

Trim to size. Measure 1/4" from the seam line.  I never trim along the cutting line because I may have cut the pattern out inaccurately.

Remove the papers. My advice is to start with the last seam you sewed and remove them in reverse order.

My five block 1's!

Leaves in the Forest Quilt Along - Let's Sew!

We'll start with Block 1.

Foundation piecing is pretty much "sew by numbers", so we'll start with section 1 on your diagram and add section 2.

Reduce your stitch length. I think mine is about 14 stitches per inch.  This will make removing the paper in the end SO much easier.

1. Place a 3" fabric strip the color of section 1 RIGHT SIDE DOWN. This is the only time you will have your fabric this way.

2. Place the pattern with the printed side up on top of the fabric overlapping just enough to ensure that you have at least 1/4" on both straight sides. The red line shows where the fabric edges are under the pattern.

I like to pin the first fabric section to the pattern to avoid it shifting when I move everything over to the machine.

3. Cut the green (section 1) fabric along the diagonal a little outside the edge of the pattern.  You will trim everything at the end. (I forgot to take a photo of this part)

4. Fold the pattern along the folded line between section 1 and section 2. You should be able to see section 2 faintly through the paper or, if not, at least your fold lines. 

5. Lay a strip of background fabric (the color of section 2) RIGHT SIDE UP. I like to do this on the sewing machine so I don't have to move things and risk shifting the fabric. The background fabric strips will be very long in the beginning. If you find it too unwieldy you can cut them in half but don't cut them too short because using strips of fabric is what helps us not waste.

6. Place your pattern (with section 1 pinned in place), on top of the fabric as below. The section 1 (green) and section 2 (white) fabrics will be right sides together. You can remove the pins at this point but hold on to the fabric. Shifting is your enemy.

The blue lines are the seam lines of section 2. The red line is the edge of the background fabric strip.

Be sure to leave enough space all around for a seam allowance.

7. Carefully open the pattern back up and slide everything under the needle.  Be careful not to move the fabric or accidentally fold something under.

Sew along the seam line between section 1 and section 2. Do not sew beyond the line. You can backstitch on each end if you like.

Back on the cutting mat, fold the pattern back along the seam you just sewed.

Trim the seam allowance to 1/4" using your ruler or an add-a-quarter ruler.

Open the pattern back up and press.

Voila! You've sewn your first seam!

We're going to continue just like this, following the numbers and the pattern for fabric colors if you're using the fabric from the pattern.

If you have questions, contact me or, better yet, join the Facebook group because others may have the same question and everyone will be able to see my answer.

Leaves in the Forest - let's get started

This week we are making Block 1(5 blocks) and Block 2a (12 blocks).

My assumption with this QAL is that you already know the basics of foundation piecing.  If you don't, don't worry. I think this is pretty self-explanatory.

ALSO: I will be showing my method here.  It is not the be all and end all of foundation piecing. While the basics are the same, there are lots of different approaches out there.

I hate wasting fabric and this method uses much less fabric than the traditional way, which is a little more random.

Be sure to have your printed block diagrams and fabric at the ready.

The first thing we'll do is score all the diagrams along the seam lines. I use a sheet of card stock but anything about the weight of a greeting card or maybe a little heavier will do.

Lay your diagram face up and place the card along any seam line.  Fold the paper over the card, scoring along the whole seam line.

Repeat this for all the seam lines on the diagram.

When you're all done, your block diagram will look a little like an origami sculpture in the making.

Repeat this for all the block diagrams for Block 1 and Block 2.  It's a fun, mindless, thing to do while watching television if you have a lap tray.

Now we can get to sewing!

Since these posts are rather photo intensive, I'll be back in the next post.

Leaves in the Forest Quilt Along - Introduction

I'm SO excited to be making this quilt and hope to have a bunch of people go through the process with me!

Schedule

now to 8/31: Collect your fabric and supplies and purchase the pattern.

8/31-10/4: Weekly block instructions will be posted on this blog.

How to follow along

I will be posting the instructions on this blog. There will possibly be instructional videos as well if I can get my act together.

I will announce when a new post is available both on Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up below for weekly notifications.

We will be using the hashtag #leavesintheforestqal

The Pattern

The pattern we'll be using is my new Leaves in the Forest pattern.

All the blocks except the maple leaves are foundation (paper) pieced. The pattern does not include foundation piecing instructions but there are many tutorials online.

This is a good pattern for beginners because the segments are not too small.

The quilt finishes at 66" x 66".

(Get 50% OFF the pattern if you purchase the kit as well.)

Fabric Requirements

5 yards of  "background" fabric - I'm using Moda Grunge 30150-91 Vanilla.

1 Moda Grunge 12 Color Fabric Bundle - Fall/Autumn (0.5 yard size)

                                                    or

A total of 6 yards of fall colored fabrics of your choice

Foundation paper for printing or tracing the patterns

General Notes

The pattern includes an extra file with optional cutting instructions.  I will be using these as we go along.

You are welcome to use your own method but the fabric quantities are based on these instructions and you may need more fabric.

Let's go!

Leaves in the Forest Update

Just a quick check-in...

Today is the start of Week 2 of the Quilt-a-Forest Geese in the Forest quilt-along on Instagram. It's not too late to join in. There are prizes!

These are my blocks for Week 1.

I forgot to mention that I have a free tutorial for a maple leaf block on Craftsy. (Quilt and pattern kits are still available in the Etsy store.)

Off to make my nine Friendly Flock blocks for Week 2!

Leaves in the Forest Step 1

I get a huge amount of satisfaction from checking things off lists. I guess I get a kick out of seeing visual proof of my progress toward the end of any task.
My version of a "list" for the "Leaves in the Forest" quilt is a progress diagram. I'm ahead of the game right now, but I have a couple of trips planned in the next few months (did someone say Quilt Festival?!?!?), so I need to be proactive.

The goal for the first part of the Quilt a Forest quilt along is to make 6 of Block #1 by September 8th. Since I'm replacing some of the blocks with maple leaves, this meant 4 #1 Blocks and 2 Maple Leaves (and an extra one because I made the first one in the wrong color).

It's not too late to join in. Both The Quilt Tree and Twiddletails are sponsoring giveaways for quilt-along participants on Instagram, so be sure to hop on over there for all the details! (just search for #quiltaforest or #geeseintheforest)

If you love these colors as much as I do, there are still kits in the Etsy store.