Fig Leaf is a traditional block that tessellates. Blocks that neighbor each other "borrow" fabric to complete the pattern. Because the motifs interlock, correct fabric placement is key to creating the design. We have provided a line drawing so you can plan your fabric placement before making the blocks. Enlarge the drawing on a photocopy machine. Make several copies to experiment with color placement. Or print an enlarged line drawing.
Wash and press fabrics. You may wish to starch fabrics before cutting to reduce stretching bias edges. Cut the patches listed in the materials and cutting box and shown in the rotary cutting diagrams, except the patches from the tan stripe.
Step 2
Note that the blocks around the perimeter of the quilt center spill into border 1. Use the same fabric from the block for the B patch in the adjacent border unit. Also notice the tan stripe is used in some of the blocks at the edges of the quilt center.
If you are using a stripe fabric for border 1, refer to the rotary diagram for measurements and make a template of the B patch from see-through template plastic. Cut a 3 7/8"-wide strip of tan stripe fabric from selvedge to selvedge. Position the B-patch template at one end of the strip and mark the stripe on the template with a permanent-ink pen. Aligning the marked lines with the stripe, cut 10 like B's as shown in Fig. 1. Flip the template over, align the stripes, and cut 3 B's that are the mirror image. Use these B patches for the blocks that are adjacent to border 1 where needed.
Step 3
Although this quilt is scrappy, each "leaf" is made from one fabric. Refer to the block piecing diagram and your line drawing for fabric placement. On a design wall or a large flat surface, arrange the patches for the first and second rows, rotating them as shown in the quilt assembly. Note that the B's for each leaf are pieced into adjacent blocks. Note also the placement of the tan stripe B's in some blocks that touch the border.
Once you are pleased with the color arrangement, join patches to make 6 blocks for the first row. Join the blocks and return the row to the design wall. Repeat to make each of the 7 rows. Sew the rows together. Set aside the remaining B patches to use in the border units.
Step 4
The first border is pieced using a tan stripe and the B's from adjacent blocks. See the Skill Builder for making and adding border 1.
Step 5
Matching centers, join the side rust, cream, and black strips to make the side border. Make a second side border like this. In the same manner, make a top and a bottom border.
Matching centers, sew the side borders to the quilt. Likewise add the top and bottom borders. Miter each corner, matching each border strip seam. Trim the miter seam allowances to 1/4" and press open.
Step 6
Layer the quilt backing, batting, and top. Baste the layers together. Quilt the blocks and borders in the ditch. Quilt veins in each leaf, quilt the printed stripes in border 1, and quilt the remaining borders as desired. The binding is a printed stripe that is cut on the bias. Bind the quilt to finish.
If you are using a stripe fabric for border 1, refer to the rotary diagram for measurements and make a template of the B patch from see-through template plastic. Cut a 3 7/8"-wide strip of tan stripe fabric from selvedge to selvedge. Position the B-patch template at one end of the strip and mark the stripe on the template with a permanent-ink pen. Aligning the marked lines with the stripe, cut 10 like B's as shown in Fig. 1. Flip the template over, align the stripes, and cut 3 B's that are the mirror image. Use these B patches for the blocks that are adjacent to border 1 where needed.
Although this quilt is scrappy, each "leaf" is made from one fabric. Refer to the block piecing diagram and your line drawing for fabric placement. On a design wall or a large flat surface, arrange the patches for the first and second rows, rotating them as shown in the quilt assembly. Note that the B's for each leaf are pieced into adjacent blocks. Note also the placement of the tan stripe B's in some blocks that touch the border.
