Create a Garden Scene with Fabric
Two of my favorite hobbies are sewing and gardening. Almost 20 years ago, I was introduced to a quilting technique by Natalie Sewell, nationally known landscape quilt artist. Natalie and I became fast friends and schedule two–three quilting dates each year. During this three-part series, our goal is to simplify the process so that everyone interested can enjoy the pleasure of creating outdoor scenes in fabric.
How to Create a Garden Scene with Fabric
A great beginner’s project is to create a close-up garden scene. Natalie’s design, Summer Flowers, is what we used during the TV program as an example for choosing fabric, messy and fussy cutting, as well as designing with raw-edge appliqué.
Our book, Beginning Landscape Quilting, is a step-by-step guide for designing simple scenes. We’re confident that you’ll have great success.
First we start with an inspirational photo. We’ll teach you how to study the photo, which will help in the fabric selection process.
Watch online and follow along in the book as we show you exactly how to create a garden scene. Below are the pages from Beginning Landscape Quilting featuring the steps to create a Garden Scene. It is a direct step-by-step guide, leaving no question as to what to do.
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We can’t help, but share a few of our scenes. Irises in my Garden is one of my early landscape quilts—I still enjoy looking at it!
How to Create Ground Cover
The next landscape quilting topic focuses on ground cover. I’m certain your eye focuses on the Dancing Maple in Natalie’s quilt by the same name. The lively and spirited tree is the star of the design. Yet, without the interesting ground cover, the depth and dimension in the quilt would not be as impactful. If your inspiration photo features ground cover, we’d like to share with you the tricks of choosing fabric and designing that all-important landscape quilt element.
You’ll learn that the inspirational photo is a starting point. Our quilts rarely, if ever, look like the inspiration. That’s not the point!
Dogwood by Natalie is another showcase quilt. I almost feel as if I could walk right into the woods!
My design, If Trees Were Teal, is more impressionist than realistic.
How to Create Background Tree Foliage
I am certain by now you realize you’re learning to use fabric as paint and scissors as your paintbrush to capture nature in a wall hanging. Natalie’s Autumn Birches design combines many techniques we’ve already explained, with the exception of background tree foliage. Next learn the importance of the scale of fabric prints and the importance of really bad messy cutting to give the impression of distant trees. (Learn how to do really bad messy cutting when watching online).
The inspirational photo gave Natalie an idea of what fabric to choose.
Here’s another showcase, September by Natalie. Okay, we like to share our work!
Watch Beginning Landscape Quilting (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to dive into landscape quilting, which season would you most like to capture in landscape quilt imagery? Leave your answer in the comment section below to be considered for a copy of Beginning Landscape Quilting. One winner will be randomly selected.
Bye for now,
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Carol
Each season has its own beauty, but I think I like the fall colors the best!
Pat
Maybe because it is fall, I would say fall for now, but each season has its own beauty.
Julie Barkley
I would love to do a fall landscape piece! It is my favorite season. When I see call foliage it just makes me happy!
Robin Sullivan
Most of my work is done in fall colors so it would have to be fall.
Linda
Wow! My husband takes so many beautiful photos. I would love to use this technique to make one of his photos into a unique landscape quilt gift for him!
Trudy
Landscapes have been on my TO DO list for a long time, and recently I found my inspiration to do one. There is a park I walk through after a hard day’s work, and the flowers there just melt away my tension and make it possible for me to go home with a smile on my face and it is like many deep breaths of fresh air. I was just trying to figure out exactly how to do the landscape-now I can begin to see it coming to life! You have inspired me!
Susi Norwood
This book would be the perfect learning tool for me! I’ve been watching videos on doing landscape quilts, and have downloaded pictures of several for inspiration. If I was lucky enough to win this, all I would need is fabrics to start! Thanks!
Karen
I like your impressionist trees!
Linda
The landscape quilts are so beautiful and each is unique. I have great fabric in my stash and I already ordered the book! As soon as it gets here I’m ready to go!
Sue
I love the look of all the seasons. Spring is so beautiful with all the new growth and summer has so many colors and warmth. Fall is beautiful, but so short as the cold winter comes to quick. Fresh snow falls are gorgeous. I’m blessed to have all the seasons. The colors and warmth of summer is my favorite.
Rebecca Tellez
As a meddle turn girl whose fingers now have arthritis, I would like to win this book so I could learn a new technique in order to bring a new fabric painting to my studio.
Alice
The more I watch each video ,the more interested I get in trying to make my own Landscape quilt. This technique looks like it would be fun to try.
Connie Lakes
I have been interested in landscape quilts for a long time now. But it looks so complicated. I want the projects I do to look real and to me a landscape quilt does. Would love to have the book.
Rose Butterfield
Love the fall landscape!
Wilmuth Loyall
Winter — in the mountains of western N.C. where my husband was born — and where the sun makes snow look like diamonds on a slope with rows of evergreen trees waiting to be harvested.
Barbara
I really love this look. I have tried to master several times.
Nancy, hope you are feeling MUCH better.
Sue
I love the beauty of nature. Each season has its own beauty.
Doing a landscape quilt is still on the bucket list. Would love
the book for a reference and guide.
Janey
Fall is my favorite time of year. Crisp nights offer relief from stagnant summer heat. Singed foilage begins to break into bright oranges and yellows against backgrounds of brown. That is the first quilt I would make. The second would be new spring flowers poking up through the hard soil to greet the sunshine as the cold winter thaws into new beginnings.
EllenB
Fall as I think it is the most colorful season.
EllenB
Fall would be my choice, I love all the bright colors Fall has.
Sheila
My favorite season is Fall and I would like to create a landscape quilt of trees and their colorful leaves.
Donna
I would do winter
Carolyn
I would love to learn how to add a waterfall to a landscape! Thank you for all the great ideas.
dorothy Chaffinch
I think that there is nothing as beautiful as a new snow fall. I would want to express the restfulness of the scene. I would love to have one which captures this with a simple look out of the window.
Cathy
My favorite season is summer. I love flowers and all the different kinds of birds.
Joan
I love fall, the leaves, scents in the air, cool air. Walking in the woods.
Sue Litman
I would like to do all four seasons so I could rotate my “gallery”. The again, our living room colors are more spring-like, our bedroom could easily host the fall colors, our guestroom has a summery feel to it, and the winter piece would dress up the office. Maybe I don’t need a rotating gallery!
Louise Patten
I love Fall colors, so I would have to pick Fall as my favorite season to landscape quilt. In fact, I have an idea brewing as I write. Thanks for the chance to win your course, Nancy!
Louise
Kim H
I would like to do a spring quilt with lots of cherry blossoms!
Debra
I think I’d try a winter scene with the lovely whites, grays and blues. I’d probably add some sparkle too- either with glittery fabric (tulle?) or some beading for snow. I know simple is sometimes best but once I get going it’s hard to stop!
Diana G.
I would have to say Spring or Fall as there is so much beauty and color out there, it would be beautiful to capture it on a quilt canvas
Oh this book would be divine reading for me as I have always wanted to learn this for the chance to win!!
Duane Wiley
I started quilting a couple of years ago and my focus was going to be on landscape quilts. Since that time, I have done everything else and no landscapes! I need a jump start! Thanks for the opportunity to win this. I love how easy you make everything. You are such an inspiration!
Pat
What a beautiful way to create memories! I’m looking through my album of pictures from Burchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia and plan to begin with a simple design and move forward. Thank you!!!
Judy Schwarzmann
I would like to make a Spring quilt depicting the time when snow is still on the ground but flowers are beginning to poke their heads out. But at the same time not too “wintery “.
Shirley
I would say fall is my favorite season as I enjoy harvest on the farm to see the fruits of ones labor
peaceful
I love these scenes. They are beautiful and peaceful. And they look like fun with a lot of wiggle room.
My favorite season is winter. Second is fall. We just moved back to Michigan from Florida and we are thrilled with being here in fall. Cider mills here we come.
Let it snow.
Pam Winterrowd
Definitely fall. So excited to see these tutorials and I want to buy the book! Giving a program at our quilt club meeting Tuesday,10/6, about this very method.
Mary
Fall has always been my favorite season. Nature’s last burst of color before it sleeps under a blanket of white. At least in the Midwest!
Susan Stephens
I think I would choose spring when life all around is beginning again. I love all the vibrant new greens and the bright flowers. My Mother taught me to love gardens especially flower gardens. Now when I see a beautiful garden I think of her. I miss her but I am reminded of the wonder of life each spring.
Pat
I would want to create a spring scene because the beauty of spring trees in flower and buds beginning to pop always encourages me with the hope of new beginnings. Thanks for the chance to win.
Pat Knight
My home has lots of color ans our favorite season is fall. God has the greatest pallet of all and I love the colors con.trasts in the fall.
Pat Knight
I think the colors and contrasts in the fall are God’s best work in the seasons. Fall is our favorite season.
Judy Keys
I would love to make a fall landscape. The colors are so vivid in as winter approaches.
Carol Moore
Love the look of landscape quilting especially trying to duplicate the feeling of the fall season.
Starla
Fall is my favorite season. I’d like to capture the morning mist in the blend of evergreen and deciduous trees here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
Lorij
I would do a winter first snow, trees, stream, mountain and birds with sunshine. Hope you are continuing to get better. Thanks for the opportunity to win
Lynette McBride
Oh how much fun this would be! Thanks for the opportunity to learn something new!!
Jan Daniels
I have oil painted for years. This is a very interesting outlet for me. It would let me “paint” with cloth. Certainly had never entertained the thought on my own. Would love to receive the book. I am 77 and am having to limit my physical endeavors and become “more my age” so am looking for impressive artistic ways to spend my time wisely.
Jan N.
Fall would be the first one I would make. Eventually, I’d like to do all of the seasons.
Beth
Fall is my favorite season but I also love wild flowers in the spring.
Wanda Phillips
I’d love to try the fall scene, love the colors of fall and the bark on the tree’s is so realistic thanks for the opportunity to win.
Donna Watkins
I love fall colors. I’d capture the leaves turning from greens to reds and oranges.
Judy G
Having a landscape quilt to remind me of spring would brighten my day during our long wet fall and winter here in the Pacific Northwest. I have often enjoyed the posts about landscape quilts on your blog but never had the confidence to try one myself. This book seems to give enough step-by-step directions on how to create a landscape quilt to give me the confidence I need to tackle what now seems a daunting task.
Nancy Hatch
Spring, I love the was every looks as the trees and flowers come back to life after a long winter.
Angela Akers
I prefer to do a spring scene as I am a gardener and enjoy the flowers.
Janetta Dobler
I would definitely choose Autumn for a landscape quilt. The colors are warm and crisp and they give me a sense of peacefulness.
[email protected]
bonnie glover
would love to do one with fall , those are my favorite colors, and I do love trees so much
Eleanor Rushworth
At 81 years of age, I would love to do a landscape quilt using all the four seasons as each one reveals the beauty of God’s creation that I have been fortunate to enjoy. Thinking of you always and hope you are well on the way to being your old self gain.
Marilyn
First snow of winter when all the interesting berries and pods are still visible. Making snow look good could be tricky.
Marty
Early spring flowers peeking through snow and late-bloomers peeking from fallen autumn leaves!
Carol
I love springtime when all is fresh and new! Colors are gentle and muted yet alive with new birth! I’ve always wanted to learn fabric landscape artistry and your collaboration with Natalie seems like the perfect way to learn! Thanks for putting this together!
Patricia Martin Lesko
I love your landscape quilts, so I am going to make one of my flower garden to hang on the wall by my bed,, and in the middle of our Iowa winter, I will still be in my beautiful garden. You have the greatest products and ideas.
ZB WonderWoman
The maples–love the red maples. Waldo, our tortoise, used to climb (or try to) our small Japanese maple for its bright red leaves. Since then, in my mind’s eye, there’s always a short, burley, inquisitive gourmand perched at the foot of any red maple and eying it with obvious delight. Thank you both for sharing your magnificent quilts!
Bonnye
Fall is beautiful with all the warm colors. A fall quilt would be lovely.
Betty Harden
I think Spring, the awakening after Winter which I love. Hope you are still progressing well, and getting back to normal. Think of you often. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. God speed.
Pat Foht
I would like to start with Spring and make my way though all four seasons. It would be fun to change up my wall accordingly. I sure enjoy your blog and all your great tips.
Renea
I really like the landscape quilts and would love to learn how to make them. Thanks for sharing.
Gail
I think the fall season with all of the various shades of rusts and yellows.
Debi Paisie
Oh! So hard, I believe that the spring would be the first choice, living close to Washington, DC, the Cherry Blossoms are breathtaking against an Agua blue sky. What a beautiful quilt that would be!
Marsha
I live in Michigan where the spring and fall colors are absolutely gorgeous. Fall is my favorite. I have always have been intrigued with the landscape technique. These are works of art. I’m excited to start one in the near future.
Deborah Holden
I have made three landscape quilts so far and learn by creating each one. I go back to the book from the very first shows. They are a wonderful reference but I could really use updated info!
Deborah Holden
Fall but spring is a great time too. I need to do more summer themed quilts. They are actually more difficult.
E. Ann
Great to know we have the same hobbies. This is beautiful. So inspirational. I am putting this on my list to learn. Thanks.
Jackie Veloz
Looking at the beautiful tree scenes on the quilts makes me want to try an autumn themed version.
Virginia
I would like to try making a summer landscape featuring vegetable garden and fruit trees.
Virginia
I would create a summer scene featuring a vegetable garden and fruit trees.
Candice
Because of some beautiful fabric in my “resource center”, I think Spring is my first choice. As usual, your post is inspiring, so I will now have to organize the sewing collection and get busy!
Diana
I saw Nancy’s landscape at the Sewing and quilting expo in Fredericksburg expo. It was gorgeous. What I was interested in is how the variations in the colors in the background in the fabric are done. Truly lovel and inspirational. My two favorite things are sewing and gardening as well.
Debra Armstrong
I favor the soft pastels of Spring.
Lynn
I would do late winter with the beginnings of spring peeking through the snow.
Anne Z.
I would like to do a summer scene with lots of flowers.
Tere in Ohio
I love trees, any season, any time. I’ve done a couple simple landscapes on my own, but I would love having the direction of talented fiber artists like Nancy and Natalie to take my art to the next level. Thank you Nancy!
Karen Poole
My favorite season is spring so I would LOVE to make a spring landscape quilt! I love all the colors and flowers of spring!
Joanne P
I would pick fall; have a fall birthday…maybe that’s why it has always been my favorite season!
Susan Lewis
Landscaping quilting is like painting with fabric. As a painter and a quilter, this blends both crafts into one beautiful experience and art! Can’t wait to try my first fabric landscape quilt! Thanks, Nancy!
Debbie Chenoweth
Here in Florida it is summer is when everything is green and blooming, The winter and spring are very dry and everything is very brown unless you are spending lots of money on water. So summer. Is my favorite season here.
Joette Warburton
I would like to do winter featuring our windswept prairies of Montana. Over half of Montana is prairie and I LOVE he wide open vistas. I would like to learn how to portray the beauty in the my favorite part of home.
Connie Jennings
Spring is always a time of renewal and new life, so that would be my favorite season. Learning to create landscapes from fabric would bring a new element to my life through my love of quilting