Tree Everlasting, bar quilt in red and white
80 by 68 1/2 inches
Top completed 2026
Top completed 2026
Reds are scraps.
White is mainly Kona Snow but I threw in a few other whites with red here and there.
I've always loved the traditional Tree Everlasting pattern.
For the past few years, as I was cutting red and white fabrics, I would make sure to get a few triangles from the scraps. I knew I would get to this quilt eventually.
I am confused in how to answer the common question, "How long did it take you to make this quilt?" Do I count just time at the machine? Do I include cutting time? Pressing time? Years of planning and sketching and collecting fabrics? The time it is away at the quilter and my binding time?
My usual answer is I am working on several quilts all the time and each is usually finished within a year or two.
But, I am binding a quilt now that I finished piecing 2 years ago and worked on for at least 2 years before that, so that answer doesn't always suffice.
Cutting for the triangles squares that finish 2 inches, measure 2 1/2 inches I use the Easy Angle or Bonnie Hunter's Triangle Tool and cut from 2 1/2 inch strips.
The red tree centers are cut from 4 1/2 inch strips
I cut reds into 8 1/2 and 16 1/2 inch lengths
Make six tree centers to finish 80 inches
Press all seams north
By having the centers cut at this length, the triangles will nest into the seams at intervals to meet up with the branches and will help keep the piecing true in assembly.
I staggered the longer pieces in different areas of the bars so this would visually break up a consistant line between the pieces across the quilt.
I staggered the longer pieces in different areas of the bars so this would visually break up a consistant line between the pieces across the quilt.
The branches are made from 2 1/2 inch measured (2 inches finishted) half square triangle. I use the EZ angle or Bonnie Hunters triangle ruler to make these from 2 1/2 cut strips of fabric.
Sew the triangle squares into pairs, then into 4s, then into 8s.
There is a different placement for these for the right and left side of the tree.
Wait with pressing until they are at the 8s stage, then press south.
Sew branches to either side of the tree centers
Press towards the centers
I made six trees
WHITE BARS*
I used Kona Snow for these and cut them to size along the selvedge edge.
Cut five white inner bars 80 1/2 inches by 3 inches
Sew between all trees
Press towards the white bars
Cut two white outer bars 80 1/2 by 4 inches for the sides of the quilt
Press towards the white bars
(*note--these directions are mathmatical lengths. In making pieced sections meet with un-pieced sections, humility must come in. Though my white strips mathmaticaly would be 80 1/2 inches cut, my actual measurement came to 79 inches cut after measuring my 6 trees and coming up with an average number.)
My directions for a traditional pattern.
Use at your pleasure.
Sew the triangle squares into pairs, then into 4s, then into 8s.
There is a different placement for these for the right and left side of the tree.
Wait with pressing until they are at the 8s stage, then press south.
Sew branches to either side of the tree centers
Press towards the centers
I made six trees
WHITE BARS*
I used Kona Snow for these and cut them to size along the selvedge edge.
Cut five white inner bars 80 1/2 inches by 3 inches
Sew between all trees
Press towards the white bars
Cut two white outer bars 80 1/2 by 4 inches for the sides of the quilt
Press towards the white bars
(*note--these directions are mathmatical lengths. In making pieced sections meet with un-pieced sections, humility must come in. Though my white strips mathmaticaly would be 80 1/2 inches cut, my actual measurement came to 79 inches cut after measuring my 6 trees and coming up with an average number.)
My directions for a traditional pattern.
Use at your pleasure.
