Winter Whispers

Create a winter wonderland for your home with this easy appliqué project that can grace your bed or sofa throughout the season.

Here’s a fusible appliqué project.

MATERIALS

• 5/ 8 yard white print • 11/ 8 yards gray dot • 1 yard gray/white print • 17/ 8 yards white dot • 21/ 3 yards blue print • Backing to size • Batting to size • Thread • Template material • 13/4 yards fusible web • Basic sewing tools and supplies

CUTTING

Prepare a template for the tree shape using pattern given. Prepare pieces for fusible appliqué referring to Raw-Edge Fusible Appliqué on page 14. From white print: • Cut 8 (2" by fabric width) G/H strips. From gray dot: • Cut 8 (11/2" by fabric width) E/F strips. • Cut 7 (21/4" by fabric width) binding strips. From white dot: • Cut 5 (101/2" by fabric width) strips. Subcut strips into 25 (61/2" x 101/2")

A rectangles and 30 (21/2") B squares. • Cut 2 (21/2" by fabric width) B strips. From blue print: • Cut 5 (41/2" by fabric width) C strips. Subcut 1 strip into 12 (21/2" x 41/2") C rectangles. Set aside 4 remaining strips for strip sets. • Cut 2 (61/2" by fabric width) D strips. Subcut strips into 24 (21/2" x 61/2") D rectangles. • Cut 8 (5" by fabric width) I/J strips.

COMPLETING THE BLOCKS

1. To complete one Tree block, select one prepared tree piece and one A rectangle. 2. Arrange and fuse the tree shape on A referring to the block drawing and Placement Diagram for positioning. 3. Stitch around tree shape using matching thread and a narrow machine buttonhole stitch. 4. Repeat steps 1–3 to complete a total of 25 Tree blocks, placing the trees in random positions as desired.

COMPLETING THE QUILT

Refer to the Placement Diagram for construction steps. 1. Sew a B strip between two C strips with right sides together along length to make a B-C strip set; press. Repeat to make a second B-C strip set. 2. Subcut the B-C strip sets into 30 (21/2" x 101/2") B-C units as shown in Figure 1.

Tree 6" x 10" Finished Block Make 25

3. Join five Tree blocks with six B-C units to make a block row as shown in Figure 2; press. Repeat to make a total of five block rows.

Block Row Make 5 Figure 2

4. Join four D rectangles with five B squares and add a C rectangle to each end to make a sashing row as shown in Figure 3; press. Repeat to make a total of six sashing rows.

Sashing Row Make 6

“I enjoyed the challenge of working with fabrics outside of my normal ‘brights and bolds.’ The tranquility of the winter whites and grays gives a peacefulness to this quilt that I find very calming and inviting.” —Karen DuMont