Forest Tree Quilt Block ⋆ Scrapdash Quilt Tutorials Free Block

This Forest Tree Quilt Block is part of the #QuiltBlockMania Blog Hop. The theme this month is “forest”, so I decided to create a block you could use as a tree block or in a Christmas table runner. The other designers in this hop are listed at the bottom of the page. Be sure to collect all the blocks!

How to Make the Forest Tree Quilt Block

Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.

You will need:

Background (Sky) Fabric:
(1) 7″ square to make 8 HSTs
(2) 3″ × 4″ rectangles
(2) 3″ × 2-3/4″ rectangles
(2) 3″ × 1-1/2″ rectangles
Brown:
(1) 2-1/2″ × 3-1/2″ rectangle
Pine Needles
(1) 7″ square to make 8 HSTs
(1) 3″ square
(1) 3″ × 5-1/2″ rectangle
(1) 3″ × 8″ rectangle
Snow
(2) 2-1/2″ × 5″ rectangles

The “Magic Eight” Method of Making Half Square Triangle Blocks

This method works well when you need to make a lot of identically colored HST blocks. Here is an overview of the method. Make a test block first. (My personal preference is to cut the squares slightly too large so that I can square up the HST blocks later on. If you are sure of your 1/4″ seam, you can use 6-3/4″ blocks. )

Assemble:
(1) 7″× 7″ Background Square
(1) 7″× 7″ Pine Needles color Square

On the back of the Background square, draw 4 lines: one vertically through the center; one horizontally through the center and one on both diagonals. These will be your cutting lines.

Place the Background square and the Pine Needles color square right sides together. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the diagonal lines.

Quilt Tutorial: Using Magic to Make HSTs

Press your sewn block and cut it apart on the drawn lines. If you cut it apart using a rotary cutter, take care not to move the squares with each cut. A rotating cutting mat will come in very handy. When you have all the blocks cut, you will need to square them up to 3″× 3″. Make (8).

Piecing Layout

Piece and press the block as shown below. When you are done, square it up to 12-1/2″.

Enjoy!

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