Free Quilt Pattern - Tree of Paradise

Thoughts of heaven—and rest—accompanied many a 19th century quilter when she stitched her Tree of Paradise blocks. The pattern isn't hard, they just had busy lives! This version specializes in indigoes and double "bubble gum" pinks, although other fabrics take a part. No time for a bed-size quilt? One block, or four, would make an impressive wall hanging.

Ivory solid (blocks) 3 1/2 yds.
Pink texture (blocks) 1 1/4 yds.
Assorted dark prints (blocks) 1 3/4 yds. total
Ivory/blue print (background) 3 3/4 yds.
Blue print (binding) 1 yd.

Backing (piece lengthwise) 5 7/8 yds.
Batting Queen size

Other Materials
Sewing thread
Quilting thread (hand quilting)

Planning a Reproduction
The maker used matching triangle fabrics for most of the trees, except along one side of the quilt, which features three "assorted" trees. Do likewise if you wish.

Cutting Instructions
Ivory solid
... *20 squares 8" x 8"
... 320 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8"
... 80 squares 2" x 2"
... 20 squares 6 7/8" x 6 7/8", cut in half diagonally to make 40 half-square triangles
Pink texture
... 20 Template A (Download Template Diagram - PDF file)
... 20 squares 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"
Assorted dark prints—cut 20 matching sets of:
... 16 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8"
... 4 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8", cut in half diagonally to make 8 half-square triangles
Ivory/blue print
... 12 squares 14" x 14"
... 4 squares 21" x 21", cut in half twice diagonally to make 16 quarter-square triangles (2 left over)
... 2 squares 11" x 11", cut in half diagonally to make 4 half-square triangles
*Cut first.

Piecing the Block
Step 1. 1 Referring to Diagram I, position pink texture Template A fabric on ivory solid 8" square. Using appliqué method of choice (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions), appliqué trunk sides in place. Note: Top and bottom of Template A fabric will be sewn into seam. Draw diagonal line on wrong side of pink texture 2 3/4" square with marking tool of your choice. Place on ivory square corner, right sides together, aligning raw edges. Stitch on drawn line; trim away and discard excess fabric. Press open to make trunk unit. Make 20.
Step 2. On wrong side of ivory solid 2 3/8" square, draw diagonal line. Place ivory square on assorted dark print 2 3/8" square, right sides together (see Diagram II). Sew 1/4" seam on each side of marked line; cut apart on marked line. Press open to make pieced squares. Make 20 sets of 32 matching.

Diagram I

Diagram II

Step 3. Using ivory solid 2" squares, matching pieced squares, and matching dark print 2 3/8" half-square triangles, sew together pine tree units (see Diagram III). Stitch ivory solid 6 7/8" half-square triangles to corners. Sew together tree units and trunk unit to complete Tree Block. Make 20 total.

Diagram III

Quilt Top Assembly
Note: Refer to Assembly Diagram for following steps. The setting triangles on all edges and corners are cut oversized to allow trimming quilt edges even after assembly.
Step 4. Alternating Tree Blocks and ivory/ blue print 14" squares, sew diagonal rows. Stitch ivory/blue print 21" quarter-square triangles to ends; sew rows together. Stitch ivory/blue print 11" half-square triangles to corners. Trim edges even.

Assembly Diagram

Quilting and Finishing
Step 5. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions). The maker stitched vertical lines (1" apart) through the blocks and 1 1/2" cross-hatching through the ivory/blue background squares.
Step 6. Bind quilt with blue print fabric (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions).