How to Foundation Paper Piece Scrappy tree Quilt Blocks
Scrappy Trees are a great way to bust through your scraps! There are two different sizes of Scrappy Trees: 3” ScrappyTrees and 6” Scrappy Trees. Use the Scrappy Trees to make table runners, mini quilts, quilts, bags and more! They are perfect for Christmas and outdoor projects.
This tutorial with walk you through how to foundation paper piece the Scrappy Trees step by step. It is available in a condensed written format below and also as a video. The video tutorial is great for visual learners who want step-by-step detailed instructions and the written tutorial is great for a quick refresher.
I’ve also linked some free quilt patterns that use Scrappy Trees. Check them out if you need some ideas.
How to Purchase the scrappy Tree foundations
The Scrappy Tree foundations are available as PDF patterns and pre-printed pads. You can download the PDF right after purchase and print as many foundations as you would like.
The pre-printed pads are great if you don’t want to mess with printing. The foundations are perfectly sized and you can get to sewing right away! They're also printed on lightweight paper that's easy to see-through and makes tearing off the paper easy.
Step 1: prepare your foundation
If printing from a PDF, make sure that the fit to size option is off and that you're printing at 100%. Measure the 1” square on the foundation to ensure it is printed to the correct size.
If you are using the foundation pads, you are good to go! Just tear out a foundation!
There are 25 different Scrappy Tree designs. To speed piecing, consider making three or four at a time.
Step 2: choose and cut The background fabric
You can use a solid or print background fabric for all of the outer background triangles. Your trees can be green or any color under the sun!
Cut the Background Triangles
Refer to the pattern for the exact sizes of rectangles you'll need for the background triangles. Half of the rectangles will need to be cut from the bottom left to the top right and one from the top left to the bottom right. Cutting the rectangle in half in opposite directions is a must you're using fabric with a right or wrong side.
If you're using solid fabric, the direction of the cut doesn't matter.
A quick cutting trick is to place a pair of rectangles wrong sides together and make one cut in either direction. Because one rectangle is upside down, it’s like you made two cuts in opposite directions.
I will show how to piece a 3” block made with one foundation and a 6” block made with two foundations. The photos are labeled by block size and the same basic steps are used for both.
6” block
6” block
Step 3: Place and Trim the first piece of fabric
If necessary, cut foundations B and C apart.
Place the brown trunk fabric wrong side of fabric on the wrong side of the foundation. The fabric should cover all of section one completely and extend off past it by at least a half an inch. Pin it in place with a flathead pin.
3” block
3” block
Using a postcard or a piece of card stock, fold back the paper on the line between section one and two. Place a ruler along the folded edge and trim a quarter inch from the edge. You can use a regular ruler or an add a quarter ruler. An add a quarter ruler is super convenient because it has a lip a quarter inch from the edge so you can just put the lip up against the fold and trim.
3” block
Step 4: add the second piece of fabric
Place the precut background rectangle right sides together with the trunk fabric and line it up the trimmed edge of fabric 1. Pin in place.
Pinning is especially necessary for the 6” blocks. Err on the side of too many pins so the fabric won’t flop around and get caught in the seam.
Step 5: Sew
Decrease the stitch length on your sewing machine to 1.5. The shorter stitch length punches more holes into the paper and makes it easier to remove at the end.
3” block
6” block
Turn the foundation over so the line side is face up. Locate the line between sections 1 and 2. Starting a half inch before the line, sew on the line and continue off the line for another half inch.
Step 6: Press
Remove the pins from the block. Set the seam and press open. The 3” Tree blocks may be fingerpressed if desired. Some people also like to use a roller to press the seams.
Repeat on the opposite side of the trunk. If you are piecing foundation C (just the trunk), you are finished. Follow the instructions and continue to piece the tree top using the B foundation.
3” block
3” block
Step 6: Trim
For trees made with one A foundation, identify the line that runs between sections 1-3 and section 4. Using a piece of card stock, fold the paper back along the line. Some of the fabric will pull up with the paper. Simply pull the fabric down and off the paper so it's laying flat. Trim a quarter inch away from the fold.
6” block
6” block
6” block
6” block
For trees pieced with two foundations, start piecing the tree top - foundation B.
Pick a piece of fabric that is 1/2” larger than section 1 on all sides. Pin in place. Fold the foundation back along the line between sections 1 and 2. Trim 1/4” away from the edge of the foundation.
3” block
6” Block
Step 7: Repeat!
Unfold the paper and place the next fabric piece along the trimmed edge. Pin, then flip over the foundation and sew along the line starting and finishing a half inch before and after. Set seam and press.
We will repeat this process of trimming sewing and pressing until all of the tree sections are covered.
3” block
3” block
3” block
6” block
Step 8: Add the background triangles
Once the tree is pieced, trim one side of the tree. Place the background triangle so the thicker point extends about ¾” above the outer dotted line on the foundation. Pin in place.
Starting outside of the dotted line, sew along the line and off beyond the dotted line. Press open. Check to make sure that the background triangle covers the entire section and extends past the dotted lines. Repeat on the other side.
3” block
6” block made with two foundations
Step 9: Trim the block
Before trimming, give the block a good press so all the seams are crisp and it is lying flat. You can use a light starch, water or steam if you like. I have not had any issues with the foundation ink running.
Trim along the outer dotted line. I do this by lining up the quarter inch mark on my ruler with the inner solid line that extends around the outside of the block.
6” block
6” block
Step 10: sew the Foundations together if Necessary
Sew foundations B and C together. Match the bottom and sides of the foundations and pin. Sew the foundations together with a 1.5 stitch length.
Then remove the papers from the seams and press toward the tree trunk.
Step 11: remove papers
Once a section of the block is completely surrounded by other fabric, you may remove the paper. The paper helps stabilize all of the biased edges and keeps the block nice and square. Do not remove the outer triangles until the block is completely surrounded by other blocks.
For layout ideas refer to these free quilt patterns. These are just a few of the ideas of things that you can make. Use the trees as borderers or in bag or apparel items.
I can’t wait to see what you make!
If you like the Scrappy Trees you may want to check out my other scrappy foundation paper piece patterns!
Bust through your scraps with foundation paper-pieced 3” and 6” Scrappy Trees. The 50 page foundation pads make it easy to choose a foundation and start sewing. No fussing with printers! The foundations are pre-printed on lightweight paper making them easy to see through and remove.
Use your Scrappy Tree blocks to make wall hangings, bags, quilts and more! They are great for Christmas and outdoor themed projects.
The 3” and 6” Scrappy Trees foundation pads contain:
- 25 different Scrappy Tree designs. Each design is repeated twice for a total of 50 foundations per pad.
- Basic cutting and construction instructions
- Block requirements for quilts of various sizes
- A link to detailed written and video instructions on how to foundation paper piece the Scrappy Tree blocks
- A link to a FREE quilt pattern using the 3” and 6” Scrappy Trees!
Only shipping within the US is available, sorry! Ask your local quilt shop to order my patterns and foundation pads from their favorite distributor!
You can find more Scrappy Tree PDF patterns in my shop.