The winter is over an I just finished "Our Forest: Winter" quilt pattern. This is the first quilt from the "Our Forest" quilt series. With this series, I want to emphasize the beauty, the diversity and the significance of forests to our well-being here on Earth. I want to draw our attention to how friendly, homely and refreshing forest are to us when we spend time together. Maybe this way I can encourage protection of our forests and perhaps even to plant a tree.
In the "Our Forest" quilt series, I will make a quilt for each season. The layout will be similar in the four quilts, but it will use a distinct color scheme and different tree and animal appliques. In the winter quilt, a playful Evergreen and Maple tree forest hosts a friendly Bear.
RELATED PATTERNS
DESIGN - APPLIQUE QUILT BLOCKS
In the winter quilt, I combine three types of applique blocks. The first two types are two different trees - Maples and Evergreens from the "Trees from the Forest" applique pattern. Evergreens are geometric with straight lines and sharp corners, whereas Maples are very curvy and artistic. The two trees nicely checker together, creating a harmonious patchwork in "Our Forest: Winter" quilt.
The forest would feel very lonesome without anyone living in it. So the third type of applique blocks in the quilt is a cute little bear, also available as a stand alone applique pattern "The Bear".
FABRICS - CONTEMPORARY COLORS
To create a winter quilt, I chose a contemporary color combination of brown, blue and mustard yellow. I used a total of 10 different fabrics: 1 light, 1 medium and 1 dark in each of the three colors and one extra fabric that combines all the three colors together. I also used this fabric for the backing to match both sides of the quilt.
QUILT FOR CHILDREN
The children found the Bear to be very friendly! It inspired their imagination. When I was sewing the quilt, my one year old was constantly pointing to the Bear and notifying me of its presence! My three year old said he would not need any trees in the forest, there could be only Bears growing.
Here is my three year old exploring the quilt. He especially liked to wrap himself in the quilt and run around the house. Just one thing though - does someone know the best way to remove strawberry jam stains from the quilt? : ))
SIZE - BABY TO A LARGE THROW
This quilt is perfect for babies and for bigger children. The pattern includes 3 different layouts, each coming in 3 different sizes. The pattern is suited to make the quilt ranging from a baby quilt to a large throw, making it suitable both for babies and for bigger kids.
EASY TO MAKE - SEE VIDEO TUTORIALS!!!
I realize that for some people appliques are daunting, that is why I have created two comprehensive sew along videos. There, I take you through all the steps needed to make neat appliques with turned edges using your sewing machine and a few simple hacks. There is no better time to learn appliques than now! Check out the comprehensive videos and start growing your own cotton forest!
Applique is always easy, when the right technique is chosen for the right shape. The turned edge trees are best made using two applique techniques. The tree crown edge I turn using interfacing and the trunks with fusible web. I detail this out in a separate tree applique sew along video.
The bear applique is made in a three step process, that I detail out in the Bear sew along video. In this video, I show you how to easily turn the edge of all the larger applique pieces using interfacing. Then, I share my own method to effectively turn the edge of a tiny nose using fusible web. Finally, I show how to embroider the arms, the mouth and the eyes on your domestic sewing machine and how to quickly stitch all the parts together.
AN IDEA FOR A LABEL
When making a quilt, don't forget to add a label with your name and date when it was created. To my labels I always add a quote fitting the quilt story. Why not doing the same on your labels?
'We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?' asked Piglet. 'Even longer,' Pooh answered. (A. A. Milne, Adventures of Vinnie the Pooh)
LAYING OUT THE QUILT
Here is me laying out the quilt top. Check it out ;)
