It’s the official countdown to the end of the Little Forest Block of the Month quilt along with only 3 more blocks to go! This month, you’ll be stitching up the Poplar tree quilt block 😉
But first, a quick recap of what you’ve learned so far in the Little Forest Block of the Month Quilt Along featured in Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine:
- Needle turn appliqué on the maple trees featured in the Little Forest block
- Half Rectangle Triangles (or HRT) in the pine tree featured in the Twin Peaks block
- Curves and Foundation Paper Piecing in the cherry blossom tree featured in the Cherry Tree block
- Small and strip piecing featured in the Bonsai quilt block.
- Raw edge appliqué as shown in the Maple tree block.
- Strip piecing featured in the Striped Pine quilt block.
- Flying geese and the stitch and flip method in the Stacked Pine quilt block.
- Colour play and FPP in the Larch Tree quilt block.
To keep things fun and interesting, the Poplar tree quilt block will challenge you to traditionally piece oval half curves.
The Little Forest Block of the Month Quilt Pattern is available for instant digital download.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.
INSPIRATION BEHIND THE POPLAR TREE QUILT BLOCK
It’s a full-on winter wonderland outside, and we’re in the deep throws of winter here in Canada.
This time of year would be so bleak if it weren’t for the trees breaking up all the gray and white. Their muted shades of green and brown soften the harshness of the gleaming snow and the hardness of our country’s infrastructure. Even trees that lose their leaves in the Wintertime, the sculptural shape of their branches offers visual interest in an otherwise bleak landscape.
One of the trees that comes to mind when I think of sculptural tree branches is the gorgeous Poplar tree.
When Spring returns, the buds will appear, and soon it will be back to having a glorious oval canopy shape. It seemed like the perfect tree to include in the Little Forest BOM quilt along.
And it also happens to be the first block I designed as part of the Little Forest quilt 😉
QUILT TECHNIQUE FEATURED IN THE POPLAR TREE QUILT BLOCK
When I submitted the designs for the Poplar quilt block, I actually submitted two different techniques: needle turn appliqué and traditionally pieced oval curves. I was so excited for you to choose your quilty adventure with the Poplar tree quilt block; however, it looks like only the traditionally pieced ovals were included.
Option 1 – Needle Turn Appliqué
You tackled this quilting technique in the very first block you made – the Little Forest quilt block.
Instead of appliquéing circles, you’ll be appliquéing ovals in two different sizes. This will help you get the feel for how to hand-stitch the different curves.
The seamless results are hard to beat.
Option 2 – Traditionally Pieced Ovals
Your second option is to go with traditionally pieced ovals using the quilt templates.
The narrower arc of the oval in the Poplar tree can be a little trickier compared to the circle you pieced in the Cherry Tree quilt block. Nothing you can’t handle 😊
TIPS FOR QUILTY SUCCESS
With option 1, I highly recommend thread basting before you start your needle turn appliqué. Read why thread basting has been a game-changer in my own NTA.
If you opt for option 2, make sure to fold to find the center of each of your pieces before you pin. Make sure to pin in the center, then the ends, and then in between.
Want to make the complete Little Forest quilt?
This block is one of twelve included in the Little Forest Quilt Course. Each block introduces a different modern quilting technique, helping you build your skills one step at a time through detailed video lessons and guided instruction.
Whether you’re learning curves, foundation paper piecing, appliqué, half rectangle triangles, or precision piecing, you’ll finish with both new quilting confidence and a beautiful quilt inspired by the forest.
MATERIALS AND FABRICS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THE POPLAR TREE QUILT BLOCK
Here’s an overview of everything I’ve used to make my Poplar Tree quilt block:
- Poplar Tree Quilt Block Pattern – part of the Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern
- Ruby and Bee Solids in the colours:
- Avocado
- Pasture
- Linen White for the background, although this Ruby and Bee solid would work perfectly too!
- Sewing machine
- Sewing machine needles
- 50wt thread for piecing
- Square ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your small, medium, or large wool pressing mat at thefeltstore.ca or thefeltstore.com.
- Pins
- Pincushion
- Small snips
- Design wall – tutorial to make your own here
MONTHLY GIVEAWAY
Since the name of the game is piecing curves this month, I thought it would be fun to keep that quilty play going with the Lunar Eclipse quilt pattern!
Participating in the monthly Little Forest BOM giveaway is super easy!
All you need to do is:
- Follow @shannonfraserdesigns @lovequiltingmag
- Post your finished block on Instagram by February 15, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST tagging @shannonfraserdesigns and @lovequiltingmag
- Include the hashtag #LittleForestBOM
- Instagram account must be public
The giveaway is open internationally. The winner will be selected at random on February 16, 2023.
Get started today with the Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern.
Can’t wait to see your blocks pop up on Instagram under the #LittleForestBOM hashtag!
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
PS did you notice the cute Bonsai and Little Forest stickers in the shop?!
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