This month you’ll be focusing on piecing the Little Forest quilt block.
Great job on piecing your Cherry Tree quilt blocks. I challenged you with two quilting techniques in one block and you totally rose to the quilty challenge – bravo!
So far in this modern skill builder, you’ve learned:
- The importance of tracking your progress through the Little Forest BOM Journal.
- Small piecing in the Bonsai Quilt Block, which will set the foundation of your quilting skills.
- How to stitch and flip (aka snowballing) in the Stacked Pine Quilt Block, which is an introduction to piecing on the bias!
- How to achieve nice crisp points with Foundation Paper Piecing and how to piece curves in the Cherry Tree block.
This month, you’ll expand on those quilting skills by diving into two new quilting techniques. Read on to find out which ones!
The Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant 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.
Story Behind the Little Forest Quilt Block
We’re blessed with a plethora of maple trees here in Quebec. So much so, that we’re known for our maple syrup.
The timing of this tree couldn’t be more perfect as we come to the tail end of one of my favourite Quebec traditions: cabane à sucre also known as Sugar Shacking and Sugaring Off!
If you’ve never heard of this springtime tradition, it’s essentially a time to feast and celebrate the arrival of a new batch of maple syrup.
You see, maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees. That sap only flows when the temperature is above zero during the day and below zero at night. There’s something about the freeze/defrost that encourages the sap to flow. By tapping into the tree, the sap can be collected and boiled down to create maple syrup. Yum! Or better yet, la tire. Where you roll super concentrated maple syrup that’s been cooled on ice onto a stick and suck it. Delicious!
All this after feasting on pea soup with creton and petits pains, eggs, bacon, ham, potatoes, baked beans, and oreille de cris. Naturally, with maple syrup poured over the top. It’s a feast.
It is even more special when you find a cabane hosted by a small family – those are the best.
If you ever find yourself in Quebec between March and April, I encourage you to give it a try. You can find a sugar shack by region here.
Gotta love how I associate trees with food!
Quilting Technique Featured
Before you dive into stitching up the Little Forest block I just want to preface by saying I didn’t love this technique when I first tried it. It took me several goes at it before I found my needle turn appliqué groove.
I say this not to dissuade you but to comfort you if you’re not loving this quilting technique right off the bat.
Why Needle Turn Appliqué
So, why did I include it in the Little Forest quilt? Well, this is a skillbuilder and I would feel remiss if I didn’t introduce you to as many quilting techniques as possible. Whether I like them or not, it was important that I gave you the chance to explore the technique so you could see whether it was something you wanted to explore more of on your own.
The great thing about trying a new quilting approach in one block is that it’s just one block – ha!
If you’re anything like me, then knowing I only have to stick it out for one block is much more appealing and approachable than committing to an entire quilt featuring that one technique.
How to approach Needle Turn Appliqué
Since I know hand sewing isn’t everyone’s favourite (I tried to avoid it all turns when I first started sewing/quilting), here are some things to keep in mind:
- The point is to slow down.
- Take a breath.
- Settle in.
- Don’t rush.
- Take it one canopy at a time.
- Break between them.
This technique is not just about your sewing capabilities but it’s also about your mindset/approach.
This step can be more difficult if you rush through the stitching process.
So, grab a hot cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a cozy stitch session!
Materials & Notions
Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to stitch up the Little Forest quilt block:
- Little Forest quilt block pattern – part of the Little Forest BOM pattern
- Fabrics in colours:
- Piecing thread
- Basting thread
- Needle Turn Appliqué thread (should match your fabric)
- Sewing machine
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Scissors for paper cutting
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Appliqué pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – Use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your entire purchase at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. One use per customer, offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
- Glue stick (optional)
- Erasable marking tool
- Needle
- Thimble
- Seam ruler (optional but handy)
- Thread gloss (optional but helpful)
To make the same version as me you can find the exact kit featuring the same AGF Signature Pure Solids in this quilt kit from Sew Curated.
Top Tips
Leave your block flat on the table when you’re thread-basting your canopies.
Why?
This will help avoid bubbles and puckers to ensure a nice smooth canopy once you stitch it in place.
Caution
Be mindful not to pull too much on your thread as you blind stitch your canopies into place. This will tend to create puckers and bubbles around the edge of your canopy.
April Little Forest BOM Giveaway
Since you’re diving into hand sewing this month, I reached out to Jenn from Sew Fine Thread Gloss to give you the chance to win some thread gloss of your own! What’s thread gloss?! Jenn makes these pots of natural beeswax that are infused with essential oils, so they smell yummynummy. The point of thread gloss is to coat your thread to minimize tangling and knotting. It helps your thread glide through all those layers. Plus, did I mention they smell so good too?!
To enter the giveaway, you must:
- Be following @sewfinethreadgloss and @shannonfraserdesigns on Instagram.
- Post a photo on Instagram of your Little Forest Block between April 15, 2024, and May 14, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
- Instagram account must be public.
- Tag @sewfinethreadgloss and @shannonfraserdesigns
- Include the hashtags #LittleForestBOM #LittleForestQuilt
This month’s giveaway is open internationally!
The winner is to be announced in the May 15, 2024, Little Forest BOM Newsletter!
Remember, to take your time with this one! You might even enjoy popping on your favourite podcast or Audiobook to soak up the quiet stitching time as you needle turn appliqué your Little Forest quilt block😊 I look forward to seeing yours pop up on the ‘gram or in our Facebook group.
If you haven’t already, be sure to get your Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern and sign up for the Little Forest BOM Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the quilt-along details 😊
Happy stitching!
xo
Shannon
PS Don’t forget to share your Little Forest quilt block on the ‘gram to be entered into the giveaway!
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