Reverse Applique Christmas Tree

Size Of Block

Prepare Tree Pattern Piece

Print a tree pattern. Now, draw a new line that is 1/4" INSIDE the original tree outline.

Trace Pattern To White (background) Fabric

Lay your white fabric, right side up, over the paper pattern. Use a pencil to trace the INSIDE line of the tree onto the fabric (for this step, ignore the ornaments). It might be easier to tape the paper pattern and fabric to a window or other light source. See below if using dark fabric. The inside line will become your cutting line (and the pencil will not show when the project is finished). 

Cut Out Tree

Cut out the tree shape from the background (white) fabric. Remember that this is reverse applique! The tree will be thrown away; the "scrap" is what we will use. Do NOT cut into the background fabric that is outside the tree; just cut away the tree.

The image on the right shows the cut-out white piece placed over the green piece of fabric.

Layer Your Fabrics

Place RIGHT SIDES UP your fabric pieces as follows: red on the bottom, then green, then white on top. Hand or machine baste the layers together around the outer edge, close to the edge.

Finish Edge Of White Fabric (Hem)

Carefully snip the corners and clip where necessary so cut edges of the white fabric will turn under (turn under approximately 1/8" to 1/4"). Turn under the edges and, using a tiny "invisible" stitch, hem under the edges. Topstitch around the outer perimeter of the tree (on the white fabric).

Cut Away Green Layer (to reveal ornaments)

Using a fabric pencil, draw small circles on the tree to represent round ornaments. Very carefully cut away the green fabric where you have drawn the circles. Hint: pull the layers apart, then use small, sharp sewing scissors to make a good cut. Be careful not to cut through the bottom layer!

Finish The Ornaments

To finish the edge of the ornaments, clip edges, then turn under and hand stitch a hem. OR use a satin stitch around the cut edge (this was the method I chose).

Finish The Block

Stitch one 8.5" border stripto top of the layered square. Stitch another 8.5" border strip to the bottom of your layered square. Then stitch a 10.5" strip to each side of the square.

You now have a 10.5" x 10.5" block (this would make a 10" square finished quilt block)

Wall Hanging

If you wish to create a wall hanging, cut a piece of batting and back fabric 10.5" sqaure. I chose a 3/4" wide ribbon as my "hanger" (cut to about 9" long).

Wall Hanging

Since my piece was going to hang on the wall, I did not use batting. It is a small piece and I felt batting was not needed. I stitched the back and front pieces right sides together (being careful to keep the ribbon out of the way and leaving an area open for turning. I then turned the piece right side out through the opening, and then topstitched around the entire piece.

For illustrated instructions on Assembling and binding, go to: Assemble & Bind Quilt.

For illustrated instructions on attaching a hanging sleeve, go to: Attach Hanging Sleeve.

Sewing Hint

With reverse applique, upper layers are cut to reveal lower layers. The cut edges are turned under and hand or machine stitched. I usually hand stitch and then machine stitch. Using a contrast color thread for machine stitching adds a nice effect for some projects.

This photo is of a different project. The white layer is the top layer. The cut edge of the white fabric is being hand stitched under.

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