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Birch Trees

Full Day or Multi-Day
Confident beginner to Advanced

Learn the process of creating simple pictorial landscape quilts from a photograph or picture. We will use Wendy’s original design pattern “Birch Trees” and cover her how-to picture image appliqué steps that include freezer paper, glue stick and free motion invisible machine appliqué. You will gain the confidence and the know how to use one of your own cherished photos or pictures in an original piece.

Supply List- Birch Trees Workshop by Wendy Butler Berns

Finished quilt size approximately 25” x 29” with border

Birch Trees Pattern - $10 (Wendy’s pattern available in class)
2 to 3 washable/ permanent glue sticks – white glue, Ross, Avery or Scotch brands recommended
Freezer Paper – 2 sheets 15” to18” x 28”
Black extra fine tip permanent marker, Sharpie or Micron
Paper and fabric scissors
Masking tape
1 yard Décor Bond by Pellon Fusible Stablizer, 42” wide, product code #809 (Wendy will have some for purchase if you have trouble finding it)
Iron/Ironing pad (one for every 2-3 students)
A few Ziploc bags for storing pattern pieces and a few paper clips

Sewing supplies:

** Assembling the "Birch Trees" appliqué will take most of the morning and into the afternoon, if you are really speedy, you will be ready to use your machine in the afternoon, other wise you may not need to bring it. You decide.
Sewing machine in good working order--optional
Basic sewing supplies for piecing
Gray cotton thread or monofilament thread for bobbin
Monofilament thread in clear and smoke for invisible machine appliqué
Darning foot for free motion machine appliqué
Optional: Design board- approx. 2 ft x 2ft. foam core covered with flannel or felt

In the afternoon - Optional design session :

Bring a cherished photo of your own.
Bring 8 x 10 color copied enlargement of the cherished photo
Several sheets of tracing paper and white copy paper
Several sharp pencils

Fabric Choices:

I use 3 to 4 fabrics where another quilter will use one. More fabric gives you more options. Consider a combination of large scale prints, hand dyed look, mottled look, geometric, organic look, prints with interesting texture. Ideally, pre-wash all fabrics to remove sizing, but this is not always possible to do.
You choose the season for this landscape- fall, winter, spring, summer
Sky: Three to four fat quarters of light blue
Cloud: Large scrap 8” medium light value
Mountains: three to four fat quarters or 4 to 5 large scraps approx. 10” in dark/dark values
Lake: Several fat quarters or 4 to 5 large scraps approx. 10” in medium light values blues/blue greens (depending on season)
Hills/Foreground: Several fat quarters or 4 to 5 large scraps approx. 10” in medium values
Trees: two to three fat quarters of light/light value fabrics(confirm the fabric contrasts enough with the sky value)

Finishing Quilt:

Specialty threads, rayons, metallics, cottons and monofilament for machine quilting
29” x 33” of batting (Warm & Natural recommended)
Same amount of backing fabric
½ yard for border. Choose once center landscape is finished
¼ yard for binding

Classroom Set Up

8 foot tables at the front of the class for the instructor
At least 1/2 of an 8 foot table per student, so there is room for sewing machines, cutting boards, etc.
irons and ironing stations for every 3-4 students
A flannel board or bulletin board for displaying samples and viewing projects from a distance