Catch up on our new Little Forest Block of the Month series

Starting from issue 111, every issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine will feature a new quilt block from the Little Forest Block of the Month series by Shannon Fraser. Each month we’ll show off a cute new forest-themed design for you to explore, so you can make a lovely leafy quilt, block by block. Inspired by the wonders of the woods and the wide variety of different trees and foliage found there, this 12-part series will have you itching to go on a long woodland walk and reconnect with nature. Plus, it's the perfect project for new quilters who are just starting out or looking to build their quilting skills, as they can take on this impressive and beginner-friendly project bit-by-bit, in their own time, with Shannon teaching you new techniques each month!

We started things off in issue 111 with our first block, Little Forest, featuring sweet circle trees that'll help you master the calming art of needle turn appliqué.

This post is especially for you quilters sewing along at home. Continue reading to see how much fabric you’ll need for the quilt, see the finished quilt diagram and find the fabric collections Shannon used for her version. Special thanks to our friends at Windham Fabrics for supplying the fabrics for this series!

Don't forget, you can find any and all templates for this BOM series over on our templates page.

So, what’s the story?

The finished quilt will feature twelve different tree blocks, resulting in an eclectic and colourful fabric forest! Shannon used the Ruby and Bee Solids collection by Heather Ross and Annabel Wrigley for Windham Fabrics: if you'd like to piece your quilt exactly the same, you can read below to find the exact fabrics she used. Or, you can use your own choice of colours and fabrics to make a quilt that's totally unique to you! For more info on the inspiration behind the series, and a sneak peek at the different techniques you'll be learning, head to Shannon's announcement blog post.

In the last issue of the BOM series (issue 122), Shannon will walk you through all you need to know to sew your blocks together and complete the quilt.

If you’d like to sew along with us for this series, show us how you’re getting on – we would love to see! Share your progress pics and finished blocks as you go, using the hashtag #LittleForestBOM and tag us @lovequiltingmag and @shannonfraserdesigns.

Plus, you can track your progress with Shannon's FREE Little Forest BOM quilt journal, where you can rate your skills and log journal entries to celebrate your quilty achievements throughout the series!

The fun doesn't end there! To encourage you to keep stitching and help you along your Block of the Month journey, Shannon will be drawing a name from the #LittleForestBOM hashtag on Instagram and sending a small giveaway prize at the end of the month...! With a wide variety of handy sewing notions in the prize pot, this is an exciting opportunity you're not going to want to miss.

What does the finished quilt look like?

Below you will find the finished Layout Diagram – you can follow Shannon's layout or mix and match your blocks as you please. The finished quilt measures 59in x 70in. You can always sew one block and turn it into a cushion or tote bag… or make more blocks to piece into a larger quilt! The simple block layout makes it easy for you to go with the flow and size up or down, depending on your preference.

You will need

To make the entire quilt:

Peach fabric (Peachy Keen): one (1) fat quarter
Light orange fabric (Pumpkin): one (1) fat eighth
Dark orange fabric (Mandarin): one (1) fat quarter
Pink fabric (Perfect Pink): 3/4 yard
Burgundy fabric (Claret): one (1) fat eighth
Lime fabric (Limeade): 1/4 yard
Light green fabric (Avocado): one (1) fat quarter
Mid green fabric (Pasture): one (1) fat eighth
Dark green fabric (Evergreen): 1/2 yard
Deep green fabric (Kelp): one (1) fat quarter
Brown fabric (Mushroom): 1/2 yard
White fabric (Linen White): 6 5/8 yards
Batting: 68in x 78in
Backing Fabric: 4 3/8 yards
Binding Fabric: 1/2 yard

Catch up on the series so far...

Missed a month and want to catch up? Each month we’ll update this post to include the latest blocks so you can use it as a design library. Find all the blocks and get the instructions for the months you’ve missed in our past issues (which you can buy digitally or from our online store!).

Block 1: Little Forest – issue 111