PARADISE AMONG THE TREES

inspired by Alias Grace

designed and made by NICOLE BROOKS

Iwas watching the Netfl ix mini-series Alias Grace. It is based on the book by the same name written by Margaret Atwood. The main character Grace, an avid quilter, names Tree of Paradise as one of the quilts a lady must complete by the time she marries.

I wanted to take this traditional large half-square triangle intensive quilt and modernize it. I saw the traditional quilt with two different color triangles as two families coming together in marriage. However, marriages are more than just two people coming together. Often kids, grandparents, dogs, cats, ex-spouses, and numerous other people all come together to create the family dynamic. It is this extensive family dynamic from both sides which is united through marriage. The numerous trees in my quilt represent all these people that form a family. It also shows that there is not just one paradise tree.

Of note: The book was set in the 1800s in Canada. Grace was accused and convicted of murder. But throughout the series, it appears she may be innocent.

A modern take on a classic quilt design, this quilt grabs your attention.

Tip from Nicole: The trianglesquares should be made 2 at a time using the Quick-Pieced Triangle-Square method. By making them slightly larger you can trim them down afterwards so they have very precise half triangles. If you want to use this technique, cut C patches 11". Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance throughout to ensure all elements of the quilt fi t together well. Handle all bias edges carefully to avoid distortion.

Watch videos of all of the Sew Easy™ techniques and download the FREE Sew Easy™ Lessons ebook: www.quiltingdaily.com/category/ videos/sew-easy/

Fabric yardage assumes 40" usable width of fabric (WOF) unless otherwise noted.

• Navy print #1 33⁄8 yds. for blocks • Cream print 4¼ yds. for blocks • Pink print 17⁄8 yds. for blocks • Burgundy print 21⁄8 yds. for blocks • Navy print #2 1½ yds. for blocks and binding • Backing 9¼ yds. • Batting 104" x 104"

Patches are lettered in order of use. Measurements include ¼" seam allowances. . = cut in half once diagonally = cut in half twice diagonally • Navy print #1 8 squares 107⁄8 " (C) 8 squares 107⁄8 " cut to make 16 triangles (E) 32 rectangles 5½" x 10½" (A) • Cream print 1 square 32½" (H) 8 squares 107⁄8 " cut to make 16 triangles (E) 16 rectangles 5½" x 10½" (A) 32 squares 5½" (B) 16 rectangles 2½" x 15½" (F) • Pink print 8 squares 11¼" cut to make 32 triangles (D) 32 squares 5½" (B) • Burgundy print 8 squares 11¼" cut to make 32 triangles (D) 8 squares 107⁄8" (C) • Navy print #2 11 strips 2½" x WOF for binding 8 rectangles 2½" x 32½" (G)

NOTE: Fabrics in the quilt shown are Hopewell designed by Jo Morton for Moda Fabrics.

1. Referring to Stitch-and-

Flip Corners in Sew Easy

Lessons and Diagram I-A, make 16 unit 1’s using navy print #1 A’s, cream print B’s and pink print B’s.

Unit 1 Make 16

In same way, make 16 unit 2’s watching placement of cream B’s and pink B’s as shown in Diagram I-B.

Unit 2 Make 16

2. Referring to Quick-Pieced

Triangle-Squares in Sew Easy

Lessons and to Diagram II, make 16 unit 3’s total using navy print #1 C’s, and burgundy print C’s.

Unit 3 Make 16

3. Referring to Diagram III-A, join navy E’s, burgundy D’s, and pink D’s to make unit 4.

Make 16 unit 4’s total.

In same way, make 16 unit 5’s using cream E’s, pink D’s, and burgundy D’s. (Diagram III-B)

Unit 4 Make 16

4. Join units and patches as shown in Diagram IV to make a block. Make 8 blocks total.

NOTE: Refer to Assembly Diagram for following steps, watching block placement and orientation.

5. Sew 2 rows of 3 blocks each and 1 row of 2 blocks and 1 cream H. Join rows together as shown.

6. Layer, baste, and quilt. Nicole machine quilted the word

“Resilience” in the center of the quilt, then did matchstick quilting behind the word and a ring of arrows around that.

She quilted zinnia’s, concentric squares and echo quilting in the blocks. Bind the quilt.

Unit 5 Make 16

Make 8

As a beginner quilter, I often felt overwhelmed with all the knowledge and tips from numerous quilters. I just wanted to create. I didn’t want to fuss over every rule there seems to be in quilting. My big advice to beginner quilters is to choose quilts you love and pick quilts that help you focus on one new skill or technique. That way, you do not become overwhelmed with all the advice there is out there. In time you will fi nd your way of sewing.

COLCHESTER, CT Instagram @NBPossibilities

Nicole decided to make a second quilt using bright fabrics to truly give this classic design a modern fl air.

NOTE: Fabrics in quilt shown are assorted prints by Art Gallery.

Use this technique to make this common block feature.

1. Place one small square on larger square, right sides facing and aligning raw edges. Draw a line diagonally on wrong side as shown.

3. Press open to reveal triangle. 2. Sew on drawn line. Trim ¼" beyond stitching.

4. Following pattern instructions, repeat for remaining corners to complete unit.

Products used: Havel’s Self-Healing Cutting Mat, Havel’s 45mm Rotary Cutter, and Havel’s 6" x 24" Fabric Ruler. Fabric from Garden Glory by Maja Ronnback collection and Abstract Collage by Ampersand collection for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.

designed and made by JEN DALY

Ilove this quilt because it features giant versions of my favorite quilt block paired with buffalo plaid— which I can't get enough of—and because it's quick, colorful, and casual. It’s perfect for spring picnics!

My projects usually feature small-scale, scrappy blocks, but for this quilt I wanted to experiment with oversized blocks—and I thought Sawtooth Stars would be an ideal place to start. The scale of the blocks, 20" square, gave me the opportunity to add some additional piecing to the center squares of the stars and I decided to use solids to create homemade buffalo plaid. With spring picnics in mind, I chose bright, cheerful colors for the star blocks and paired them with casual and durable chambray.