QNM Articles & Patterns

Trailing Vine

 Assembly

Step 1

Wash and press fabrics. Cut the patches listed in the materials and cutting box. Although we give the pattern for one of the vines, note that each vine is unique and leaves are randomly placed. Judy cut her leaves freehand with turn-under allowance, and she stitched them with a needle-turn method of applique. This method may enhance the randomness of each leaf. For a quicker method, fuse the fabric to fusible webbing, and cut leaves without allowance. Refer to the full-size pattern to cut leaves the varied shapes and sizes. See the pieced leaves directions for making string-pieced leaves.

Step 2

Join 1 3/4"-wide bias strips end to end to make 10 vines each 115" long. The length is generous. You may need to trim each vine once it's pinned in place. Press each vine in thirds, wrong sides together. Arrange a vine on each cream panel, referring to the quilt photograph for the placement (Fig. 1). Note that each vine curves differently--some have 7 curves, others have 8. The quilt will be more interesting and more like the original antique if each vine is placed differently. Pin the vine in place but do not stitch yet.

Step 3

Prepare the 3/4"-wide bias vine by folding in thirds, wrong sides together, and press. Arrange the narrow vines in each curve of the wide vines, cutting lengths as needed. Again note that these vines vary in length and arrangement. Pin in place with raw ends underneath the wide vines (Fig. 2).

Step 4

Position the leaves. Unpin and rearrange the narrow vines as needed to allow space for leaves (Fig. 3). Note that some of the leaves trail off the ends of the panels and are caught in the seam when borders are added. This adds to the folk art quality of the piece.

Step 5

Fuse and/or stitch the leaves in place using your favorite method. We suggest that you finish fused edges with a blanket stitch, using a tear-away stabilizer underneath to prevent puckering. Stitch the edges of all vines in place. Press the panels from the back.

Step 6

Cut red sashes and side borders the same length as the appliqued panels. Matching centers and ends, sew the sashes between panels. Sew the 3 1/4"-wide borders to the sides. Press seam allowances toward the sashes and borders.

Step 7

Sew the wide borders to the top and bottom.

Step 8

Layer the quilt lining, batting, and top. Baste. Quilt in-the-ditch along the sashes and around the applique. Quilt a simple cable in the red print sashes. Bind the quilt to finish.