Remembering our birds who also lost their homes during devastating hurricanes and fires in 2017.   They are Rebuilding too.

This wall quilt finishes at 34 1/2" x 46".

 

Layer Cake®  "Caroline" designed by Brenda Riddle for Moda.

3/4  yard background fabric.  I used #9900- 200

1/2 yard agua fabric for sashings and first border. #18654-13

1/2 yards brown for second border fabric and bird beaks. #18650-17

1/3 yard brown for binding  #18650-17      (I use 2" binding.   1/3 yards will also do 2 1/2" .)

You will need to cut 5 strips.

1 1/2 yards backing fabric.

Crib size batting.

 

Tools and supplies to fit your method of applique'

Aurifil thread 50 or 80 wt. to match applique'.  Or thread of your choice.

Aurifil Floss - brown (or color of your choosing) - for stem stitching.  May also be used to finish bird beaks instead of appliqueing.  Or floss of your choice.

Freezer paper for pattern template or template material of your choice.

Hexagon papers in size 1/2" and  3/4".  I used Paperpieces

 

Please read all directions before starting applique.

Background fabric. Cut 12 squares measuring 9" x  9". When all applique and embroidery is complete, please iron your block.  Re-cut background fabric to measure 8 1/2' x 8 1/2".

Fold background in half and finger press fold line. Refold again in other direction and finger press fold line.  This will give you your center placement for birds and nest.  Each pattern has a + on it indicating its center.

Print out pattern pieces from the Printer Friendly file at the bottom of this post. Prepare your pattern pieces for your method of applique.

This bird is rebuilding the nest. Choose fabrics from your Layer Cake. Fussy cutting is a fun option.

Using you favorite method of applique, make two birds facing right and two birds facing left. The 3/4"  hexagon will match the missing hexagon in each nest for each bird.

Please note, birds are exact. One faces left and one faces right. No need to redraw pattern.

This bird is feeding the nest. Choose fabrics from your Layer Cake. Fussy cutting is a fun option.

Make two birds facing right and two birds facing left. Each bird will have two 1/2" hexagons and two leaves.

This is the nest.

Make eight 3/4" hexagons, for each nest, using the same fabric.  The center hexagon will be a different fabric of your choice. Attach 7 of the 8 hexagons to the center hexagon.  The 8th will be added to the rebuilding bird.  Please note what side has the missing hexagon. This open side needs to match the hexagon that bird is holding. The rebuilding bird will face the missing hexagon side.

 

  

After birds are appliqued in place, trace the embroidery line right on your background  fabric using a pencil. I used a stem stitch and one strand of  brown floss.

Remember to resize your block now. Cut each block to 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" square.

Stitch each bird family together. Feeding Bird, nest and rebuilding bird.

Add aqua sashing between each family grouping. Center sashing - cut 3 strips 1 1/2" x 24 1/2".  Then add sides - cut 2 strips 1 1/2" x 35 1/2".  Then top and bottom - cut 2 strips 1 1/2" x 26 1/2".

Add brown side borders - cut 2 strips 4 1/2" x 37 1/2". Add top and bottom borders - cut 2 strips 4 1/2" x 34 1/2".

Sandwich your quilt, top, batting, backing and quilt. Trim up and add binding.  Stitch 5 strips, 2" x 40" together for your binding.

 

This quilt finishes at approximately 34 1/2" x 46".

I hope you enjoyed making Rebuilding as much as I have.

Until we stitch again,

Mary Andra Holmes
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