Instructions

First, cut the tree. Place the 3 1/2" strips of tree fabric right sides together. This will give you pieces for both the right and left sides of the tree. Set the bottom edge of the Easy Angle II™ on the bottom edge of the fabric and slide it to the left edge of the fabric (see Figure 1). Stop when the 3 1/2" appears in the corner of the left edge of the fabric (and the bottom corner lines up with the 3 1/2" mark). Cut the fabric along the diagonal edge of the tool.

Flip the tool over and drop the tool down so that 5 1/2" appears on the upper edge of the fabric (align with the 5 1/2" mark on the right of the tool) and the left edge is even with the diagnal edge of the tool (see Figure 2).

Flip the tool back and slide the tool to the right so that the bottom edge of the fabric aligns with the 6 1/2" mark (see Figure 3).

Continue in this manner so that you have made cuts for 3 1/2", 5 1/2", 6 1/2", 7 1/2", 8 1/2", 9 1/2", and two 10 1/2" pieces.

Sewing

Set the pieces out to form the tree (see Figure 4).

For each side of the tree, carefully sew each tree piece to the correct background piece from each row (see Figure 5). You must use a 1/4" seam allowance. The top and bottom edges must be straight across after the pieces are sewn. Press the seam toward the tree fabric. Beginning at the bottom, sew each row together. Press these seams toward the top of the tree. Sew the two sides together last (center seam). This is easiest if sewn from the bottom to the top.

You are now ready to sew on the border. Sew a 2" piece of border fabric to either side of the 1" tree fabric. Do this four times. Press these seams toward the tree fabric.

Measure the sides, top, and bottom of the tree. The sides should be 24 1/2", and the top and bottom should both be 20 1/2". On the border strips, place marks 20" apart and 1/4" (one seam allowance) from the edge on two of them, and 24" apart on the other two (see Figure 6).

Using the Easy Angle II™, align your marks with the dashed 1/4" seam allowance line and cut along the diagonal edge (see Figure 7). This will provide a seam allowance.

Sew the 24" border pieces to the sides, starting and stopping 1/4" from the ends. Sew the 20" pieces to the top and bottom in the same manner. When all the borders are on, sew the mitered corners.

Layer with batting and backing. Quilt or tie with perle cotton; bind. Your tree is now ready to decorate. You can use wonderful bead strings, buttons, trinkets, bows, decorative stitches on your machine, and on and on...

Don't forget to sign and date your quilt! Enjoy!