From Quick Quilts November 2003

O Tannenbaum - Page 2

Plan!
Note: Download Foundation Masters (PDF file). Masters are printed reversed and are meant to be traced or photocopied. Make the number of copies called for on each foundation master.

Brenda introduces you to the world of foundation piecing (also known as paper piecing) with this cheerful Christmas tree quilt. It's small enough that you can finish it in time for the holidays. Before starting, be sure to read through Piece by Piece, Part 1.

Three important things to remember: 1. The foundations are printed in reverse (because your fabric will be sewn on the unprinted side), 2. You must follow the number order when sewing, and 3. There are no seam allowances on the paper foundation. Allow at least 1/4" of fabric beyond the perimeter of the block and do not trim along the paper's edge.

Prepare!
When stitching log cabin-type designs, it's easiest to work with pre-cut straight-of-grain strips. Traditional piecing calls for cutting strips 1/2" wider than your finished width, but in foundation piecing, it's nice to have some extra width as "insurance". Strips can slip slightly under the foundations when you're sewing, and a generous width keeps you happy.

For this design, cut strips at least 1" wide for the narrow pieces and at least 1 1/2" wide for the wider ones from your fabrics, as indicated in the cutting instructions. Cut strips to length (at least 3/4" longer than the finished piece) as you go.

For the packages, (made from 8 assorted prints and mottles), follow the foundation coloring guide to determine the width and length of your strips. You'll enjoy choosing your own colors.

O Tannenbaum - Page 3

Sew!
1. Photocopy or trace foundations in quantities indicated on master onto a foundation paper. There are many types available, which we'll explore in a future issue, but standard white 20 lb. copy paper works just fine. Cut out each foundation along outside line. Do not leave any extra paper beyond the printed lines.

See Piece by Piece Part 1 for instructions to foundation piece 23 A blocks, 1 B block, and 1 C block. Refer to Coloring Guide, and using colored pencils, mark each foundation for fabric placement. Remember to allow at least 1/4" fabric beyond the perimeter of each paper foundation, and trim excess fabric 1/4" away from the edge of the paper. Do not remove the paper until the entire quilt top is pieced.

O Tannenbaum - Page 4

2. Change sewing machine stitch length back to normal piecing length (10-12 stitches per inch). See Diagram 1 and arrange and sew together foundation pieced blocks in rows as indicated. Watch orientation of blocks. Sew rows together. Leave papers in blocks.

Diagram I
Shown from fabric side of foundations

3. Stitch green check 1 1/4" x half-WOF strips to sides, trim even with top and bottom. Sew remaining green check strips to top/bottom; trim even with sides (see Assembly Diagram).

Assembly Diagram

4. Measure exact width of quilt center (from raw edge to raw edge). Trim 2 green/black stripe 3 1/2" x 23" strips to this measurement and sew Border Corner Blocks to ends (watch orientation). Stitch remaining green/ black stripe strips to sides; trim even with top and bottom. Sew pieced strips to top/bottom. Remove papers.

5. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice. Brenda machine quilted a garland design on the tree, a meander throughout the background, and ditch quilted the packages. She chose a repetitive wavy design to fill the border. After quilting, sew ribbons and bows on packages and stitch the button stars to the tree. Bind quilt with green/black stripe fabric.