Ode to a tree: Alpine Wonder

When we began our "12 days of Christmas trees" series we talked about how many different ways there are to depict a tree in fabric. This evergreen looks so real, we feel that we could step right into the ethereal scene.

Alpine Wonder, 34 x 44, by Mary Lou Hallenbeck at HD Designs, as seen at Keepsake Quilting

We've spent a lot of time staring at this quilt to figure out what makes it so effective, and we realized that it is a perfect example of the use of value gradations to create highlights, shadows, and depth.  Amazingly, only four fabrics are used to make this quilt ! The gradated blue backdrop makes it look as if a light is shining down on the tree. The tree looks three-dimensional because the darker green branches are placed behind the lighter ones.  Also, the branches look like real evergreen branches, thanks to clever thread work (for detail, click to enlarge the photo). 

Mary Lou Hallenbeck is a designer, teacher, lecturer and quilt maker.  We really love her work with gradated fabrics - check out her stunning Orbital View 2 and Gradient Crystals at E.E. Schenck (you'll be glad you did ! )

Image credits:  The Alpine Wonder quilt is shown in Serenity fabrics from the Cara Collection by Maywood Studios. The pattern and quilt kit are both available at Keepsake Quilting.