The countdown is officially on! You’re at the 10th block in the 2024 Little Forest BOM and this month you’ll be focusing on stitching up the Maple Tree quilt block.
You totally nailed trimming your half-rectangle triangles in your Twin Peaks block! I know how confusing the trimming can be, so well done on seeing that through!
So far in this modern skill builder, you’ve been small piecing, snowballing, FPPing, sewing curves, and needle turn appliquéing like a champ. Just look at all the techniques you’ve covered already:
- 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.
- How to layer motifs with needle turn appliqué in the Little Forest block.
- Small piecing and FPP without as much wiggle room in the Lodgepole block.
- How to piece oval curves in the Poplar block.
- How to strip piece in the Striped Pine block.
- Working with multiple FPP templates at the same time in the Fraser Fir quilt block.
- Learning how to piece and trim half-square triangles (HRT) in the Twin Peaks quilt block.
I’ve got another new quilting technique for you to explore this month! Read on to find out which one!
The Little Forest BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!
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Story Behind the Maple Tree Quilt Block
When I shared the Little Forest Block, I mentioned how lucky we are here in Quebec to have a plethora of Maple Trees. We’re known as one of the top producers of maple syrup, and I feel super lucky to have grown up witnessing their leaves changing colours in the Fall. It makes for the most spectacular views while driving throughout the province. If you’ve never been to Quebec in the Fall, I highly encourage you to visit during that time.
Since we have so many maple trees, I couldn’t resist featuring them a second time in the Little Forest Quilt.
Except, this time, I opted for a compound canopy. What’s fun about this design is that it gives you the opportunity to play with different colours.
Quilting Technique Featured
I love the freedom and speed raw edge appliqué offers you in your quilting practice. And using it to attach your Maple Tree canopies makes super quick work of seeing it come to life 😊
To help keep things from shifting on you, I’ve recommended using fusible webbing on the back of your canopies.
This step is entirely optional, but I’ve found it helps give stability to my canopies while I’m stitching them in place.
The biggest challenge with this technique is finding an edge to pull the fusible webbing paper offer the back of your canopies to stick them in place (that is, if you’re using fusible webbing – ha!).
Materials & Notions
Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to stitch up the Maple Tree quilt block:
- Maple Tree quilt block pattern – part of the Little Forest BOM pattern
- Fabrics in colours:
- Piecing thread
- Sewing machine
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat
- Spray bottle
- Erasable marking tool
- Washi Tape
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
I’ve found the best way to get a nice consistent stitched circle is to simply use my left hand to slowly turn the piece at the machine.
I use the inner edge of my open-toe presser foot to keep a nice 1/8” stitch from the raw edge.
Give it a go a see how it works for you!
Caution
Since you’re layering material, things can get quite thick and bulky. If you’re concerned about the extra weight in your quilt, then you can opt to cut out the excess fabric from the back of your Maple Tree quilt block. I’ve always just left mine intact as the extra weight doesn’t bother me 😉
October Little Forest BOM Giveaway
You’ve still got a couple of months before you have to tackle quilting your Little Forest Quilt, but it’s never too early to start thinking about your quilting plan! This is why I reached out to my friends at Aurifil to give you the chance to win a Cone 50wt Cotton in #2000 (my go-to piecing thread), and a set of Suzy Quilts 8wt Thread for adding yummy texture to your quilt!
To enter the giveaway, you must:
- Be following @aurifilthread and @shannonfraserdesigns on Instagram.
- Post a photo on Instagram of your Maple Tree block between October 15, 2024, and November 14, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
- Instagram account must be public.
- Tag @aurifilthread and @shannonfraserdesigns
- Include the hashtags #LittleForestBOM #LittleForestQuilt
This month’s giveaway is open internationally.
The winner is to be announced in the November 15, 2024, Little Forest BOM Newsletter!
Have fun seeing your Maple Tree quilt block come to life! 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 😊
Don’t forget to check in with your journal. It will feel good to track how you feel and you’ll love being able to look back and see how you felt along the way.
Happy stitching!
xo
Shannon
PS Don’t forget to share your Maple Tree quilt block on the ‘gram to be entered into the giveaway!
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What a delightful project! The Maple Tree Block for the Little Forest BOM 2024 is a fantastic way to inspire creativity and appreciation for nature. I love how you incorporated the beauty of maple trees into this design, emphasizing their significance in our ecosystem. The combination of vibrant colors and playful shapes is sure to engage both children and adults alike.
I’m curious about how this project might influence discussions around tree removal and preservation in our communities. In your experience, do you find that creative initiatives like this can help raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy tree populations and the impact of tree removal? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the potential for art and design to foster a deeper connection with our natural environment.