Finally Got this one started! - Branching Out

This free pattern by Moda is called Branching Out and features some pine trees.

I’m making this one with 6.5” blocks and will need about 90 of them. I am hoping to imitate one I saw that made me think of blue spruce trees that are so incredibly beautiful.

Our son and his wife had one back in 2018 and they gave it to us after Christmas was over and we transplanted it into our flower garden area - and it lived! It’s little, for sure, but the color is amazing.

 
 
 

I have had the fabrics pulled for this one for a couple of months now, I think. The pattern has been printed and I’ve wanted to get to it, but just now actually got really started. I mean by that, big time.

I had previously made the tree trunks - - at least step one of them - as they are bit involved, but hadn’t actually finished that part of them. I decided after my last few things I’ve made (String blocks, calico mushrooms), that I wanted to get this one going a little better than that state.

That box of blue green fabrics sitting by my dining room table is getting on my nerves, but since I spent a good bit of time getting the right colors, I wanted to keep these separated from the rest of my blue greens or blues or greens until I use them. Then I can find a way to work them back into the shelves.

So, it was time. Time to get started.

inspiration photo taken from Instagram with a quilt I thought was interesting for this pattern

Now I’m not the type of person to normally sit or stand and cut a whole quilt at once. I find that a bit tedious and I really do not prefer to work that way.

While I don’t mind cutting, I find that I work better if I get some more immediate positive feedback by making some blocks.

So, I started by making two - I felt like I needed to cut out one (but made it two) and then made the sample blocks just to make sure I understood everything and they worked.

So, this one will be a semi- long-term project, not unlike my granny squares one that used 1.5” squares. Well, not THAT slow or long term, but I’m not planning on doing this all at once.

 

The blocks are a bit slow and difficult to chain piece, so I will not force the issue and frustrate myself. If I make 10 or so every few days, then I will be happy enough. I mean, as long as I’m making some progress on this one by getting more and more blocks, I’ll be happy about it.

So you can look for a report about these every once in a while until I get the 90+ trees I need for this quilt.

The pattern is found here. It’s a free download - so if you are interested, be sure to download it. Moda has been known to get rid of some free patterns, so if you want it…get it now.

Here are some of the strips that will become the trees. I went from green to blue green to pretty much aqua. I’ve tried to keep my picture of the tree in mind, but obviously I can’t go “realistic” only or it will be a boring quilt!

So this will be at least a couple of month project - so we’ll see. I suppose it depends on what life throws at me/us.

I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great day wherever you are reading this.






Becky Petersen2 Comments