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Fall Leaves Wall Quilt

This wall quilt is extremely easy to make. You can put it together over the course of a weekend. The results, however, are breathtaking. The finished size of the quilt is 36 1/2" x 40". We used embroidery designs from the Leaf Block Set.

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For the background we chose light camel fabric. Light grey or light blue will also work well. You will need about 1 yard of this fabric.

For the embroidered blocks you will need 8 pieces of fabric in bright autumn colors. Moda marbles or batiks work well. Each finished block is 7 1/2" x 8 1/2", but it would be difficult to hoop pieces that size in your large (5" x 7") hoop, so start with pieces no smaller than 10" x 13".

For the shadows and binding you'll need 1/4 yard of a navy blue fabric.

You will also need low loft DreamPoly batting or polyester felt to serve as a stabilizer for the embroidery.

Finally, you'll need batting for the rest of the quilt and backing.

Embroidery:

Hoop the fabric for embroidery with low-loft DreamPoly or polyester felt. Embroider all designs from the Leaf Block Set one by one. For the embroidery we chose camel-colored thread which matches the color of the quilt's background.

Note: We highly recommend to make a test stitch-out first.

After the embroidery is finished, press it. On your cutting mat, trim the embroidered pieces to get blocks measuring 7 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Turn each of the blocks to the back and with a pair of sharp scissors, neatly cut away the excess stabilizing material around each embroidered square.

Cutting:
All measuments include 1/4" seam allowance.

The quilt consists of 4 strips of background fabric intermixed with 3 columns that contain the embroidered blocks.

For the 4 strips, out of background fabric:
Cut 2 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 36 1/2" and 2 strips measuring 4 1/2" x 36 1/2";

For the first column, out of background fabric:
Cut 3 rectangles measuring 8 1/2" x 6 1/2", 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" and 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

For the second column, out of background fabric:
Cut two rectangles measuring 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" and 9 1/2" x 2 1/2" and two rectangles measuring 9 1/2" x 3 1/2";

For the third column, out of background fabric:
Cut two rectangles measuring 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" and 9 1/2" x 2 1/2" and two rectangles measuring 9 1/2" x 3 1/2";

You already have 8 embroidered blocks. For the shadows around the blocks, cut:
16 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" out of navy blue fabric;
16 squares measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" out of the quilt's background fabric.

Assembly:
Do not forget to press each seam after you make it.

On your working table (or designer wall) lay out all the embroidered blocks and organize them in colums as you'd like them in the finished quilt.

Note that the 2 embroidered rectangles in the first column of the quilt are laid out vertically so that the shorter side (7 1/2") is the width and the longer side (8 1 /2") is the height. In the second and the third columns, the blocks are laid out horizontally so that the longer side (8 1/2") is the width and the shorter side (7 1/2") is the height.

Step One: To make the shadows, take the navy strips and the small squares out of background fabric. Attach a square to the end of each strip. You will get 16 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Step Two: Attach a shadow strip to the longer side of each embroidered block. Attach a second shadow strip to the shorter side of the block. See the diagram above for details.

Step Three: To assemble the first column,
Aattach the 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle to the upper edge of the first embroidered block.
Attach the 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the first embroidered block.
Attach the second embroidered block to this unit.
Attach the 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the second embroidered block.

Step Four: To assemble the second column,
Attach the 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle to the upper edge of the first embroidered block.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle to the bottom edge of the first embroidered block.
Attach the second embroidered block to the bottom of this unit.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the second embroidered block.
Attach the third embroidered block to the bottom of this unit.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the third embroidered block.

Step Five: To assemble the third column,
Attach the 9 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangle to the upper edge of the first embroidered block.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle to the bottom edge of the first embroidered block.
Attach the second embroidered block to the bottom of this unit.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the second embroidered block.
Attach the third embroidered block to the bottom of this unit.
Attach the 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the third embroidered block.

Step Six: Now assemble the whole top in the following order:
The 4 1/2" x 36 1/2" background strip to the 1st column, followed by the 3 1/2" x 36 1/2" background strip, followed by the 2nd column, then the other 3 1/2 x 36 1/2" strip, followed by the 3rd column and finally the 4 1/2" x 36 1/2" strip.

Place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Spread the batting over it and spread your working piece over the batting. Pin all layers together with 1" pins and quilt.
We quilted in a free-motion style around the embroidery and with straight lines all over the quilt.

Press the quilt with heavy steam. Square the quilt and finish the edges with binding.

The quilt is done!

Here are some close-ups: