“Two Trees” Fusible Applique Block Pattern

I originally wrote this tutorial for the Home Sweet Home Quilt Along at Persimon Dreams.

The PDF file includes the Master Pattern, and all template pieces at full size, and have been reversed for use with fusible appliqué. The Master Pattern shows the placement of the pattern pieces. If you would like a full-size Master Pattern, enlarge the pattern 150%.

1. Prepare a background square a little larger than 12.5″ x 12.5″. For the sky piece, cut a square 13″ by about 10″, for the grass, cut two strips each about 13″ by 2.5″.

2. I pieced my background, but you could appliqué by applying a narrow strip of fusible web to the top edge of each grass piece. I made my background about 13″ x 13″, and trimmed it down to 12.5″ x 12.5″ after fusing and sewing the pattern pieces.

3. Print the template pieces from the PDF file, and trace them on the paper side of your favorite lightweight fusible web. I use Lite Steam-A-Seam, but there are many fusible webs on the market.

4. Select your fabrics, ensuring there is enough difference in the value (lightness or darkness) of the fabrics, so that the trees stand out from the background. One way to ensure you have sufficient contrast between your fabrics is to view them from a distance. Another is to photocopy them in black and white, or use photo-imaging software to preview them in black and white. I do this with scraps of fabric before sewing them together.

• Tree foliage – I used pink fabrics for my tree foliage to represent Spring blossoms, with a darker pink for the smaller tree and a light pink for the larger tree. You could use Summer greens, Autumn colors, or any other color that appeals to you, but ensure the two trees have different patterns and values, so they don’t blend together from a distance.
• Sky – I used a medium blue for my sky, ensuring it was sufficiently darker than the tree foliage fabrics for good contrast. If you use medium or dark fabrics for your tree foliage, you could use a lighter fabric for the sky.
• Grass – The grass in the background should be lighter or less vibrant than the foreground grass, to give the illusion of depth.
• Shadows – the shadows should be quite a lot darker than the grass, but similar in color.
• Tree trunks – use a dark fabric for the trunks.

5. Cut the fusible web about 1/4″ outside the traced lines. Fuse the pieces to the wrong side of your fabrics following the manufacturer’s directions. Cut out each piece along the traced lines.

6. Remove the paper backing, and arrange the fabric pieces on the background, referring to the Master Pattern for placement. They don’t have to be exactly in the same position as the Master Pattern. Position the foliage first, then the tree trunks, then the shadows. Ensure the foliage for the smaller tree is under the larger one. Ensure the trunks are positioned so the bottom is slightly under the shadow, and that the shadows are lined up with the edge of the grass. Play around with the positioning until you are happy with it, then fuse all pieces to the background following the manufacturer’s instructions.

7. Stitch the edges of each fused piece. I used a narrow zigzag stitch and because the pieces were fused did not require a stabilizer. Trim block to 12.5″ x 12.5″. (photos 7 and 8)

Click HERE for the printable PDF pattern!