So, hopefully you have all your elements prepped as instructed in Lesson One. Now we will begin to Construct the Landscape.

At times I will give steps for both the Sail Away and River Bend designs and other times the instructions will be specific for each design. But you can see that this is the way to proceed for any landscape quilt using this method.

A word about using a zig zag stitch for this project: if you plan to use a zig zag stitch instead of decorative stitches, STOP right now and set your machine for a very small zig zag stitch. IMO a small ZZ stitch looks much better than a large one.

Remember, you can choose to use matching thread or contrasting thread when stitching down your elements. You can change thread colors for each element if you want, i.e. green thread on mt. #1, brown thread on mt. #2, etc. These choices are up to you....it's your quilt!

First Task:

Pin the piece of muslin on top of your stabilizer (you can use temporary spray adhesive instead of pins if you prefer.)

Second Task:

Lay your strip of sky fabric on top of the muslin, lining up the raw edges along the top and sides. Pin or spray in place.

Third Task:

Sail Away and River Bend

Use the placement page (first page of the PDF) as a guide to position mountain #1. Match the raw edges on the left end of the pattern piece to the left side of the muslin.

If you are using fusible web like Wonder Under on the back of your pattern pieces, press to adhere mt. #1 now.

Using a decorative stitch on your machine or a small zig zag stitch and matching or contrasting thread (if using a decorative stitch) stitch along the curved line of the mountain top edge only.

Fourth Task

River Bend and Sail Away

Position Mountain #2 over the sky and mt.#1 and pin or fuse in place. Refer to your Placement Page for correct positioning. Match the raw edges on the right side of the pattern piece to the right side of the muslin. Choose a decorative stitch (or use the same stitch you used for mt. #1) or use the ZZ stitch and stitch along the top raw edge only of mt. #2.

Fifth Task

River Bend and Sail Away

Position Mountain #3 over mt. #2 matching the raw edges on the right - look at the Placement Page for correct positioning. Pin or fuse mt. #3 in place. Using a decorative or ZZ stitch, stitch along the top raw edge only of mt. #3.

Sixth Task

Sail Away

Lay the strip of water fabric over mt. #3. Look at the Placement Page for correct positioning. Measure down from the top of the sky to the water line on both the right and left sides. This measurement should be the same on both ends to make sure the water is level.Use a ZZ stitch or decorative grass stitch and stitch a straight line along the top of the water fabric, catching the top 1/8" edge of the water fabric.

WAIT! Don't fuse down yet! If desired, cut a piece of thin, low loft batting the size of your water fabric and lay it under the water fabric. Trim the piece of batting to the exact size of the water piece. Stitch waves with white or metallic thread, swinging the fabric back and forth, side-to-side as you sew to create waves. Lengthen your stitch length to 4.0 when doing this. Or, if you have wave stitch programmed into your machine - now is a good time to use it! This adding the batting and stitching waves is optional, but it adds a lot to the final effect.

River Bend

Position mt. #4 in the middle, over mts. 1,2, and 3. Use the Placement Page to position this piece. Choose a decorative stitch or ZZ stitch and stitch along the curved top edge only of mt. #4.

Position mt. #5 over mountains 1 and 4, matching the raw edges on the left. Choose a decorative stitch or ZZ stitch and stitch along the curved top edge only of mt. #5.

Position River #6 over the top of mt.3, 4, and 5 matching the raw edges on the sides and bottom to the raw edges of the muslin base. Use a small satin ZZ stitch to stitch along the curved top edge of the river. (If you choose to use some batting under the river, slide the batting under the river piece before you start stitching.)

Now you should have all your mountains and river or lake on the quilt and anchored down with stitching. You have "built" a landscape! In the next class, we will continue adding the elements to the design and add some embellishments also.

Please ask any questions you may have about Lesson Two on this thread. I'll be glad to help in any way.

Teresa