The Healing Tree is a quilt-as-you-go art piece. In this one-day class you’ll finish the background and begin adding the tree and leaves (for ONE panel). This class is suitable for beginners.

Supplies

Pattern

Fabric, batting, backing, grid—See the back of the pattern for amounts.

If you want a similar feel to the quilts pictured on the cover, here are some suggestions. 

•        For each Panel, choose medium to dark values of one color or variations of that color. For instance, the top right Panel consists of peach to red-orange fabrics.
•        In general, don’t use a fabric that “shouts” above the others. High contrast fabrics will draw attention to themselves and away from the focal point, the Tree.
•        If you have a fabric you’d like to use for the tree but don’t have enough to cut out the whole tree in one piece, consider overlapping it with a piece in an area that isn’t noticeable. The root part of the top left tree was cut from a remnant that was left after cutting out the rest of the tree.
•        For the leaves, I chose greens that had vein-like marks. See the photo on Page 3.
•        The seams for all straight-edged strips can be 1/8”. This may allow you to use pieces that otherwise wouldn’t be wide enough.

Sewing machine in working order. Pedal, cords, etc.

Basic sewing supplies—scissors, pins, etc.

Rotary cutter and ruler (mats supplied in classroom)

Optional: personal mini-iron and ironing mat. (This is NOT essential!)

Before class:

Read through the pattern instructions.

Cut 30 strips 2 ½” x 20”. Cut a few extra to give yourself options or bring extra fabric pieces.

Cut out tree templates and tape together as instructed on Page 2 of the pattern.

Cut batting AND backing 20” x 33”.

Cut fusible grid 18” x 32”.

Press the Fusible Grid to the exposed batting. Cover with parchment paper or a pressing sheet to prevent melting the grid or the batting. Press just long enough to adhere the Grid to your batting. It won’t be a strong hold like you get with fusible webbing, so don’t over-press expecting it to be.