Lone Pine Tree FPP Quilt Block Pattern
This 12.5" Lone Pine Tree Quilt Block is going off to Australia - to the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild in Jamberoo, New South Wales! The Wollongong Guild is calling out to fellow quilters across the world to help them in making blocks and quilts for those families affected by the fires that have been ravaging Australia since August 2019. Quilt guilds and individuals have been busy making blocks and then sending them to Wollongong where the quilts will be finished and distributed to those in need. I belong to a modern quilt guild here in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada and we're working collectively to send our blocks out in the next few weeks. The blocks need to be mailed out by the end of February. 
If you'd like to contribute, there's still lots of time. Click here to go to the Wollongong Quilt Guild website for more info: WOLLONGONG MODERN QUILT GUILD and follow their Facebook Page for updates, to share your blocks and to see what others are making: #bushfireblocks - Quilts for Australia
The finished raw edge quilt blocks measure 12.5" X 12.5" inches and should use a low volume / white or pale grey background. You can read the DOCUMENT with FAQs which answers more questions about block requirements, pattern, materials, postage, etc. On that same document are links to free patterns for the 4 beautiful "Tree" theme blocks pictured below.
The patterns above inspired me to create my own pattern. I love the FPP method of piecing and I love designing my own patterns so I got out my sketchbook to draw a slightly wonky and modern variation of a Foundation Paper Pieced Lone Pine Tree. We have Pine trees here in Ontario, Canada and there are different varieties of Pines in Australia too - it's something we share even though there are thousands of miles between us.
My drawing went from sketchbook to computer in Adobe Illustrator for drafting. Pictured below are the 4 finished pages in a downloadable pdf document that you can find for FREE in my SHOP. I'd love for others to make these blocks too and send them to Australia for this wonderful cause of helping victims of the bush fires.
The paper templates for the 12.5" block are too big to be printed on regular 8.5" X 11" paper so the designs print onto 4 pages. You simply print each page and overlap/tape them together to make 2 pages. Tip: I hold the papers up to a window so I can see through to match up the lines and circles. Cut up the papers into 6 separate templates (see picture below).
If you're new to Paper Piecing, there are a few things to keep in mind before you get started:
1. Sew on the printed side of the paper - fabrics are placed on the blank (reverse) side. There are numbers on each of the pieces. Work in numerical order and place your first fabric on the reverse side (facing up) on number 1. After that, make sure you sew as usual right sides of fabric together.
2. Your finished fabric piece will be the mirror (reverse) image of the printed design.
3. Before printing your templates, make sure your printer preferences are set to no page scaling. You can check your print-out by measuring the guide at the top of the page with your ruler. When your pieces are taped together, the length of the long pieces will be 12.5" from dotted line to dotted line.
4. Cut scraps of fabric, at least an inch bigger all around than you'll need in case your fabric shifts while sewing. Use a lightbox or a window to help you see where to place the fabric scrap on the reverse side of printed design. Use pins (or fabric glue) until you get to the sewing machine.
5. Sew your pieces with a small stitch. Set your stitch length to about 1.5 when sewing through the paper pattern. This helps to perforate the paper, making it easier to remove when you’re all done.
6. Finger press or iron after sewing each seam and then trim the allowance to 1/4" before starting on the next piece.
If you're brand new to Foundation Paper Piecing, I recommend going to YouTube to see how it all comes together before getting started. That's how I first discovered the technique - and now it's my favourite way to piece. It's a no-fail method to get a perfect block every time!
Now we're ready to start the fun part - piecing and sewing the fabrics onto the templates. I used 5 different green patterned fabric scraps for the tree and 1 brown scrap the tree trunk that I fussy cut. Don't you love that cute owl? It's from our Happy Flappers collection. I also used 3 low volume fabrics donated by a dear friend (thanks Marianne). It takes a village! The picture below shows the fussy cut owl and my original fabric design that it came from.
I hope you enjoy Foundation Paper Piecing as much as I do. If you try my pattern, please tag me (#kellypanacci) or let me know. I'd love to see your makes! Click here for the link to the FPP pattern: LONE PINE TREE FPP PATTERN
No block is complete at my house without taking it to our backyard fence for a shoot. If I ever move, I'll have to take this bit of the fence with me - LOL!
Don't forget to check out all the beautiful blocks that are jetting off to Australia. The Wollongong Facebook Page is the place to go for updates. Have fun sewing for a cause!!
Link to our FREE download: LONE PINE TREE FPP QUILT BLOCK PATTERN
