Tree of Strength for Australia a free Quilt Block (updated instructions)

I wanted to design another tree block to donate to Australia and came up with “Tree of Strength for Australia”.

Many of us feel so bad and helpless watching the terrible news about the fires ravaging Australia.  Then I saw this post on Facebook from the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild:

Our NSW communities have been ravaged by fire since August 2019. In particular, the South Coast of NSW were devastated by bushfire on New Year’s Eve. Our state has suffered enormous losses. Families have lost loved ones, others their homes and all their belongings. Farmers have lost livestock, others their livelihood, not to mention the extensive loss and damage to our native flora and fauna. Unfortunately, it is only the start of our fire season and immediate forecasts predict worsening conditions, and anticipate further loss and destruction.
So whilst feeling deeply saddened by the overwhelming scenes of widespread loss and suffering – it got Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild thinking….. What can we do to help? Well, we can make quilts of course!!
So we would like to call-out to anyone else who would like to help us in making quilts for the affected families within our communities.
How you can help:
We have decided to make tree blocks. The tree is a symbol of growth and nourishment. A tree symbolizes the generations of a family; a tree sprouts from a seed, the roots provide strength and stability, and whilst the new sapling is young and vulnerable they are protected by the other trees until they grow and flourish. In time the branches spread and then create new fruit that gives life to the next generation.
There is no restriction to one type of tree block. We would love our quilts to be beautiful and diverse just like our wonderful communities. The below quilt blocks have been designed and supplied for inspiration, but please feel free to use your own ideas and colours. If you would like to help, please make a tree block of a generous 12.5 inch square using a low volume / white or pale grey background. Once completed please send to:
Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild
PO Box 54
Jamberoo New South Wales
AUSTRALIA 2533
We are going to distribute the quilts made to the families who have lost everything.
We would like to ask that blocks be mailed for arrival by the end of February. We thank you in advance for your support. #bushfireblocksabout

I used EQ8 and drew it from scratch, coloured it, then sewed a sample block and called it Tree of Strength for Australia.  Well, actually I made 2, because my measurements for the first one were a bit off.

Finishes at 12 1/2 inches

All the greens use 2 1/2 inch strips so check out your scrap bin.

Cut:

Brown (for trunk) 1 piece 3 1/2” x 9” (will be trimmed later)
Cream cut 1 square 7 7/8” then cut in 2 diagonally from corner to corner to make 2 triangles.
Green triangles cut 6 either by cutting 2 7/8″ squares and cutting them in half diagonally OR use a half-square-triangle ruler to cut them from 2 1/2” strips. See: https://www.sewwhatyvette.com/half-square-triangles/
Green rectangles cut from 2 1/2” strips, 1 of each: 2 1/2” (square) 4 1/2”,6 1/2”, 8 1/2”, 10 1/2”.

Sew:

Sew the brown strip between the 2 cream triangles as shown with the top edges even. Press the seams toward the brown, then trim the bottom into a point, using your ruler to follow the lines of the triangle.

Lay out the remainder of the pieces using my diagram as a guide. The triangle pieces are interchangeable so play around with the layout until you like what you see.

Sew one triangle to each of 2 sides of the 2 1/2” square as shown. Press the first seam toward the triangle, the second toward the square. This is your base triangle.

Lay it back into position so you don’t get yourself all mixed up.
Using my diagram as a guide, sew the remaining triangles to the correct end of the corresponding rectangles. Press the seams toward the triangles.
Arrange the pieces back into position, then select the shortest remaining strip and sew it to the base triangle as shown, press the seam the strip you just attached.
Continue adding the strips until you have a complete tree. If you cut and sewed accurately the base of your triangle should be pretty straight. If it’s a bit off, trim it.

Sew the final seam, joining the trunk to the tree top.

Here’s my actual Tree of Strength for Australia sample block:

Want a printable?: tree of strength for Australia