Mess Making
Mess making. I had just gotten my studio nice and tidy. I was enjoying looking up from my machine and not seeing stacks of this and that by my fabric shelves, which seems to be my favorite spot to stack things when I want to ignore them. Now that counter area was nice and clean. I do have a stack of quilts that need quilting. Let’s put that off a bit, I said to myself, and make something new. And so the mess making commenced.
Do you have a list, either physical or mental, of quilts that you really want to make? I do, and strangely, I never seem to get around to making them. I have been wanting to make this quilt for a few years, and I decided that now is the time. I started by making these three blocks.
This is the Painted Forest pattern by Blue Nickel Studios. This pattern may be familiar to you, since I see it from time to time on social media. Note that in each of these three trees, the leaves, background, and trunks are made from single pieces of fabric. (Yes, the tree trunk and branches are Kona Pickle scraps sneaking into yet another quilt!) Anyway, I realized after making the first of these three that the tree “leaves” and the background are supposed to be scrappy. Not wanting just one block like this, I made two more the same way as the first, and will mix them in with the rest of the scrappier trees.
Doesn’t the scrappy version take it up a notch?! The blocks are 25 inches long, and the width is approximately 9-10 inches. I am enjoying pulling random scraps for the tree leaves without thinking much about how the fabrics work together. Interestingly, the colors are a bit fall-like with a modern vibe, don’t you think? .
The trickiest part if keeping track of which leaves go on which side (right or left) and making sure the “curves” of the leaves get sewn on the correct side.
There are 14 blocks in the pattern. I’ve made six. Would you like to see them all together? Here you go!
The blocks are just delightful to make, and great for those larger scraps and bold prints. While I’ve been stitching these up, I’ve thought about other ways this could be made. How about a controlled background of snowflakes against a blue sky, with “frosted” trees in whites and grays? Or an aspen grove, with a variety of greens for the leaves? How about using all solids? So many ideas.
While I haven’t been posting much lately, I have been busy mess making in my quilt room. How about you? What are you working on lately?
Wendy
Fishy Update
27 Comments
Barbara J Stanbro
Those are so cute! And I love those colorful fabrics.
Sally
Love how you mixed it up! Very funky! 🩷
texasquiltgal
I love both versions! I have to say the scrappy ones are my favorites, but the ones with solid chunks are beautiful. Nice messy work Wendy! 😀 Yesterday I looked at the things I “need” to do and decided to pull out and play with a bunch of blocks from 2021. Now I have a new mess in my room too. 😉
Helen
It’s called “rationalized procrastination.” It’s when you (I) have something that I need to get to, want to get to… and I will, just as soon as I take care of… right after I finish… once I just get to… but first I’ll just…
marissthequilter
You just have to make a forest of these trees! They are gorgeous. I confess I prefer the first three with the same fabric foliage.
The black and white backgrounds is a strike of genius
Vicki in MN
I have never seen that pattern before. I am glad you are sewing up a messy storm over there, I was getting worried as you hadn’t posted for a while!
Karen
I like the strips for the branches
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
I really like your original trees with the consistent leaves and background, but I LOVE the scrappy ones! Aren’t they fun?! I do have a long list of projects like that, too – want to do, but never seem to get around to them. Looks like you’re definitely enjoying this one, Wendy!
Cindy Berry
I love those Wendy! Even your random scraps go so well together. Look forward to seeing the finished product – I am finishing up the Star of Wonder sew along and will start on some fun pumpkin minis. Also have a completed Joanna Figueroa pumpkin top ( completed a couple of years ago ) to finally quilt – I am determined to not have to put it out for Fall decor unquilted this year. Have a great weekend.
Cheree Hull
Those are going to make up a gorgeous quilt! Of course I love the idea to use a snowflake background! Keep on havin’ so much fun!
Mary Howland
Love the blocks and potential quilt. I think I have that pattern as I had to have it. Now I have no idea where it is – maybe I’ll look for it as I clear up a mess.
rmgsummers413a14ca5a
The trees have been on my list of patterns that I want to try. It is amazing to see your fabric choices. I really love the ones with all the scraps as I think it gives them some depth and, yes, they do look like fall. I love the thoughts on different backgrounds. I can see a waterfall in the background and a river in the foreground. Keep showing us your additional trees.
Sara F
What a fun block!! They look so good together too.
Quilting is in my Blood
They all look good to me, but the scrappier ones are a lot of fun.
tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles
Wow I love those pieced trees!!!
vickiwelsh9b9e540c9c
Ooh, I need to make one of these! The scrappy trees are spectacular!
The Joyful Quilter
Thanks for catching us up on what you’ve been working on and congratulations on finally making the pattern the super wanting to!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Haha–I do the same–have a list of quilts I want to make and never get to them! Love seeing your trees all in a row, Wendy!!!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
These are sew cute, Wendy!!
Kate
Such a fun scrappy project. Good for you starting one those quilts on your to want to make list. Fingers crossed after this year I have more room on my UFO list to add a few of those in.
aquilterstable
I DON’T have a list, but I think it’s great you tackled a quilt you’ve always wanted to make. I’ve admired many of these tree quilts. I’ve been under the weather for a few days, so haven’t been sewing. Looking forward to getting back to it.
Laura
How fun is this?! I really like the scrappy trees, Wendy…they just have so much vitality to them! 🙂
Bernie
This is super. I like both the scrappy and non-scrappy blocks. Smart to just make a few of the non-scrappy to make those look more intentional. I spy lots of fabrics from my shop days. Good memories!!
This is very pretty Wendy – keep going on it!!
kathleenmcmusing
Can’t keep the sewing studio clean for long, can we? I love both version and I think it will be a lot of fun to see this come together. There are so many options – will you make another version or will this satisfy you? I haven’t been sewing much…hope to begin getting back to it Thursday.
Tracie
At first I thought I would like your first blocks the best with a uniform look but scrappy really is better. It looks more authentic. And you’ve definitely got a modern fall vibe going on. Very cool, Wendy.
I have a BIG mess in my new sewing space and need to contemplate how to make sense of it. Almost all my boxes are unpacked and put away … except for an abundance of quilts, fabric, and sewing supplies. Every day I scan FB Marketplace for storage solutions. Well, I need to tackle the mess soon because hubby couldn’t find a needle or pin to remove a sliver. After much searching, I found a needle in the haystack.
Eva
Late I find time to comment your tree blocks. I love the scrappy ones very much. These are a little more interesting to be honest … and more “your style” and to mix them with the first ones will be a good mix. Lovely pattern!! Sewing places are creative places and are not born to be empty places. A clean machine and maintenance is a must and everything on its place (cutters, thread, rulers) – but each project (UFO) needs a little home and space. So it could not be “clean”, or? :-)))
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
That’s a nice block. I haven’t seen it before. I like your mix of scrappy and non-scrappy trees 🙂