Destination: Quilt Along - Block 8

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

It's time for Block 8 of the Destination: Quilt Along, and it's my turn to share the block pattern! (It's also the end of segment 2! That means you have an extra week to catch up and a chance to win prizes! If you're sewing along, be sure to read the Segment 2 post too!)

Aurifil thread used for my lake and trees quilt block

This week, I'm sharing how to make this lake quilt block with prairie point trees! Keep reading below to get the FREE pattern!

Destination: Quilt Along

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If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!

Lake and trees quilt block

I love adding 3-D elements to my quilts, and the prairie points of this block create such a fun texture! Get the FREE quilt block pattern emailed to you below!


This block was inspired by our family's summer vacations to Minnesota. Each summer, we stay at a cabin on the shore of Leech Lake and spend a week fishing, boating, tubing, swimming, eating ice cream...making memories. 

Leech Lake, Minnesota

My dad vacationed there with his family when he was a young boy, my parents spent their honeymoon there, and now we get to take our own boys there. It's a time of relaxing and renewal that I very much look forward to every year.

Leech Lake, Minnesota sunset

And yes, I do a bit of sewing too. (I'm using a battery-powered sewing machine like this one!)

Sewing outside with a battery-powered sewing machine

I used all solid fabrics to make my block, but I think some scrappy green trees would be super cute!

Prairie points

You can use the lines on your cutting mat or the lines on your ruler to help measure and place each prairie point in place. Line up the tip of the prairie point with the line needed. You can use a chalk pencil or air-erasable marker to mark the measurements if that's helpful!

Prairie points

Continue adding prairie points one row at a time. I like to use sewing clips to hold them in place.

Adding prairie points to make trees in a quilt block

I used Aurifil 50wt to sew my block together. I used #2890 Dark Grass Green for piecing the tree rows, then I used #5006 Light Turquoise, #1148 Light Jade, and #4182 Dark Turquoise to stitch down my lake water.

Aurifil thread used for my lake and trees quilt block

I think it's so cool to look at the block from the back! You can't even see the trees!

Back of the lake and trees quilt block

Once all the pieces are sewn, then trim your block to 12 1/2" square. I like to use this ruler.

Squaring up a quilt block

I'm loving how all eight of my blocks look together!

Quilt Along: Destination quilt blocks

Want to quilt along?? All the blocks patterns are FREE during the QAL!

The QAL is divided into three segments. Complete all four blocks from Segment 2 (only blocks 5-8) by 7:59am ET on September 14 to be entered to win prizes! Be sure to share a picture of your finished blocks in the Facebook group! If you're posting on Instagram or Facebook, you can use the #destinationQAL when you post a photo!

Segment 1
July 6 - Block 1 - Sandy at Sandy Star Designs
July 13 - Block 2 - April at JANDA Bend Quilts
July 20 - Block 3 - Abbie at Sparkle On!
July 27 - Block 4 - Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter
August 10 - Segment 1 prize winner announced

Segment 2
August 10 - Block 5 - Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
August 17 - Block 6 - Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter
August 31 - Block 8 - Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <---That's me!
September 14 - Segment 2 prize winner announced

Segment 3 
September 14 - Block 9 - Karen at Tu-Na Quilts
September 21 - Block 10 - Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
September 28 - Block 11 - Sherry at Powered by Quilting
October 5 - Block 12 - Bobbie at Snowy Days Quilting
October 19 - Segment 3 prize winner announced

November 16 - Grand prize winner announced!

Destination: Quilt Along prizes

The segment 2 prize is a one-year subscription to Online Quilt Magazine and a free pattern from Inquiring QuilterKathleen McMusing, and Slice of Pi Quilts!

Be sure to check out all the different versions of Block 8 made by the QAL hosts!


Quilt Along: Destination quilt blocks

Join the fun! Let's quilt along!

12 comments:

  1. Laura, I LOVE your prairie point trees! They are an awesome addition to your block! Very fun and inspiring!

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  2. Wow - this is so cool - thanks!

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  3. Such a beautiful block that looks incredibly difficult but sounds pretty easy. Thanks for the tips, too.

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  4. Super cool way to make pine trees! :) Thank you for sharing!

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  5. Such a great block and terrific memories! You always come up with something super fun!

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  6. This is such a clever block! Your solids give it a very soothing look. I live in Minnesota, so this looks very familiar. Nice job.

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  7. Laura, oh my! I L-O-V-E this block! I never thought of making trees with prairie points! How fun!

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  8. I love your Minnesota pine forest, Laura!!! Prairie points--brilliant!

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  9. Love your block, Laura. That's someplace I haven't been, just dipped into Minnesota in my travels.

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  10. Hi Laura... did you send out the block in your email newsletters yesterday? I think I may have deleted without realizing it. I get so many emails that sometimes I just go through and randomly delete then empty my trash folder because I can't stand the confusion of too many emails. I try to look through carefully before doing this, but I can't find your email anywhere, and I've been a subscriber for a few months, and usually see your emails.
    BTW... I really love your block! I love all tree blocks, so yours not only appeals to me in this BOM, but also as a block I could make for a tree block quilt. Thank you!

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  11. Love this pattern. The dark green pines with the various shades of blue water is such a beautiful combination. I'm going to have to look up the difference between prairie points and flying geese.

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  12. After looking at your directions I love your block even more! Thank you!!
    Carol O

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