Oakshott Autumn Blog Hop::: Falling Vista Lap Quilt tutorial

Helloooo everyone and welcome if you've popped over from Lynne's blog! I'm so excited to kick off the Oakshott Autumn blog hop, there's some amazing bloggers taking part so I can't wait to see all the reveals over the next week or so!
The Oakshott Autumn Blog Hop

So, let's crack on shall we?! When I first saw the autumn bundle my heart did a little skippity jump - I love autumn! It's my most favourite season with all the colours and the need for warm winter clothing and cosy knits! My first thought was a maple leaf quilt but then I started thinking of the view as I drive towards Wales and the hillsides full of trees changing colours. It really is spectacular and was my inspiration for this quilt::: Falling Vista

And because when it's autumn there's nothing better than snuggling under a warm and cosy quilt, I've backed it with fleece for extra snuggle factor!

*** I would like to say a huge thank you to Oakshott for providing the fabrics and Aurifil for providing the variegated thread ***

Materials
1 x Oakshott Colourshott Autumn F8 Bundle (21 F8s)
3/4yd  Oakshott Colourshott Celebes (background fabric)
1/2yd Oakshott Colourshott Iris (binding)
2yds extra wide fleece (or 4yds backing fabric and wadding)
Tree Template (download here)
Cardboard
Tinfoil

Finished size of lap quilt: 50" x 55"

Please remember to read through all the instructions before starting.

Cutting Instructions
Print out a copy of the Tree Template. Make another template out of cardboard - I kept a seam allowance at the bottom of the template to ensure that there would be enough overlap when appliquéing the shapes down.

Press each F8 before folding into thirds.

Use the template and cut around with a minimum 3/8" allowance. I found it easiest to do with a rotary cutter.

Three shapes per F8 will give you 63 trees

NOTE: if using printed fabrics you will need to cut your fabric strip into thirds (for a rectangle approximately 9" x 10")and layer them right side down in order to ensure that all trees go in the same direction

Cut the binding fabric into 5 x 2.5" strips by the width of the fabric

Preparing the trees
To prepare each of the trees for appliquéing;

A::: Lay down a piece of tinfoil, fabric (right side town) and cardboard template.
B::: Ease the tinfoil around the curved edge of the template. Press with an iron.
C::: Gently unfold the tinfoil and remove the cardboard template.
D::: Turn the tree over to give a final press.

Repeat for each tree shapes. You can use starch to stabilise the shapes.

Making the quilt
Lay the background fabric on a flat surface.

Place the trees on the background to arrange the layout as per the diagram. Once you are happy with the colour placement, pick the pieces up working left to right for each row, place in a pile and label them to keep in the correct order.

Starting with row one, take the first tree and place on the right hand side of the background fabric and pin in place.

Using the paper template as a guide - both above the trees and within the trees (as pictured) place the second tree in position and pin in place. Continue across the width of the fabric until the whole row is in place

Applique the shapes onto the background. This could be done by hand using slip-stitch. I used the sewing machine set to a narrow zig-zag using Aurifil variegated thread.

A::: starting on the left hand side of the shape, zig-zag around the tree. Cut your threads.
B::: Lay the fabric flat, and pick up side of the next overlapping tree.
C::: Pin the next tree in place on the already appliqued tree, and sew around the shape as in step A. D::: Continue along the row until you are finished. Turn your quilt top over and trim away any excess blue fabric behind the trees.

Repeat the above steps for your remaining rows.

NOTE: I was a little organic with the placement of my trees, as allowed by my additional seam allowance, so it is worth being generous with this at your cutting out stage to allow a bit of wiggle room!

When you have finished sewing all of your rows into place, square up your quilt top.

Finishing the Quilt
Make a quilt sandwich from your backing fabric (right side facing down), the wadding  (if using) and the quilt top (right side facing up). Make sure all the layers are nice and smooth with no wrinkles and baste the layers together. Quilt as you prefer – I used a 3-step zigzag in rows 2" apart following the angle of the tree-tops.

Trim any excess backing and wadding fabrics.

Join your binding strips together and bind your quilt in your preferred method.

Snuggle and enjoy!!!

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I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial - if you have any problems with the download (it's my first time trying to create a shareable document, so please bear with me if there are any teething problems) or the pattern then please let me know,

Thanks for popping by and don't forget to check out these fabulous bloggers over the next few days;


22 October     Rossie Hutchinson        r0ssie.blogspot.com
24 October     Mary Menzer                 fairlymerry.blogspot.com
28 October     Alison Dutton                allison-sews.blogspot.com
29 October     Nicholas Ball                 quiltsfromtheattic.wordpress.com
30 October     Kati Spencer                 fromthebluechair.com


Sx

Todays sky ● blue with clouds and very windy!!!

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