Improv Patchwork Trees Quilt

Modern Improv Tree quilt – also popularly known as the #HolidayPatchworkForest on social media. Click here for full tutorial, or click here to purchase a printable PDF version.

This fall I finished the large version of the Modern Patchwork Trees that I started last year. Here it is pre-quilting. I love this shot in the woods.

A couple of weeks ago I got it back from the quilter. I’ve been wanting to get a good picture of this one with the snow, but we’ve had mild weather over the past week and all our snow melted. Fortunately we got a skiff of snow last night and my husband was a good sport about going out in the freezing temps as my official quilt holder to get some shots of the finished quilt.

This was one of the most fun quilts I’ve made this past year. I started it last year, knowing I wouldn’t finish in time for Christmas, but I did pre-cut the red and green fabrics I’d need for making more trees and set them aside ready to go. Over the summer I found a few more great prints of current Christmas prints to add to the mix.

Then when I was in the mood this fall, I pulled out the stack and got her finished! This quilt is deceptively quick and easy to piece. My favorite part about it is picking and mixing and matching the fabrics. It’s a great stash-buster!

I love the inter-locking orange peel motif that Melissa from Sew Shabby Quilting used to quilt it. I’ve been waiting for just the right project to use this design. There’s lots of design and texture, but not too dense so that after a few washings, this will be a nice, soft quilt.

The fabric for the backing and bias stripe binding both came from my stash. I bought both of them at after-Christmas clearance sales in years past, figuring I’d use them for some future Christmas quilt. And here it is – they were just perfect!

This block is SO SIMPLE to construct. You can find the free Modern Improv Patchwork Trees Tutorial HERE. This is the second variation I’ve made of this design. The original design was for a mini version.

This is equally fun, and a little bit faster if your time is limited but you want a quick improv patchwork tree fix. You can find the tutorial for the mini trees here.

The the most fun part of this project has been seeing other people take this fun and simple improv block and make it their own! Search the #holidaypatchworkforest hashtag on Instagram for lots of fun inspiration. I also love that the brand new Honey Pot Bee is using this for their wild card block as they kick off all the fun for the upcoming fun this year. (You can find out more about the Honey Pot Bee here!)

I love seeing all of these happy trees! I think Bob Ross would be proud. As am I.

I think one of the other reasons I love this block is I’m a tree lover – especially evergreens in the winter. This is a quick snapshot from one of my favorite winter hikes in our nearby mountains, called Pine Hollow. In the spring this spot is loud with the sound of lots of creeks created by spring water run-off, but in the winter it’s such a quiet, almost sacred space – it always makes me think of that Christmas carol Still, Still, Still. So I think that’s what I’m going to call this quilt: Pine Hollow.

Thanks again to all who have made and shared this project. You’ve inspired me to make another one and play with more colors and fabrics! Once again – block tutorial for the large size trees can be found here and  if you would prefer a printable PDF version, there is one available to buy for $3.00 here.