EMMA’S TREE

– Original pattern by Miriam Gogarty – Dublin, Ireland, in memory of her daughter Emma who died of cancer.

Miriam has kindly given this simple Christmas tree pattern to quilters all over the world - She has presented one of Emma’s trees to the President of Ireland and has given her pattern to anyone who wants to make a tree in memory of a child –

I met Miriam on line in a quilting group (Learning fa(fiber arts) where I taught landscape quilting – we became good friends and when I lost my son to cancer she sent me the pattern of Emma’s Tree – to make in his memory --- I have done so and have passed the pattern on to others whose children left before us.

It has given me so much comfort to have it on my wall at Christmas. Friends of mine also made crochet and kntted little tree decorations for me and it makes my Christmas so much easier as my son Rob left us on Dec. 12, 2009.

Please pass this pattern on – We believe there are over a thousand Emma’s trees around the world and hope that it brings comfort to those who have lost a child.

I pass on this pattern in memory of my two children – Jane Louise – age 3 months and Robert John at 53.

Christmas fabric – (I have made many of these trees for my family members and friends of Rob’s – some in blue and white, white and gold, Christmas fabrics, there are endless different ways of making Emma’s tree.

Cut 55- 2.5 inch squares – be careful that they are exactly the right size.

Place the squares as shown on the picture, on heat n bond or some other fusable web. If there are straight lines printed on the web it makes it easier . however you can draw horizontal lines and vertical lines in pencil – it won’t show as it will be on the back. Fuse them carefully on to the web with edges just touching .

Fold right sides together along the vertical lines – sew in l/4” seam, on each vertical line, then sew each horizontal line l/4” seam.

Press the seams as flat as possible. I have done them two different ways – I usually do a satin stitch up each vertical seam and then on each horizontal seam on the top. in either a contrasting or same color thread-

Then prepare the trunk of the tree-- I look for fabric (brown) that looks like wood – and cut two and put them together right sides facing – sew them together with the opening at the top – (which will to behind the tree) turn it right sides out and either stitch a line l/8 or ¼ in from the edge, or satin stitch around the trung. press and lay it on the back of the tree so that the tree branches on top. I usually put a small amount of fusible to tack it to the backing. Your tree is now ready for a backing. You can used whatever fabric you wish to back it- I often use fusible web to back the tree (to attach the backing fabric—this give the tree a heavier, solid feel and it makes it quite stiff. I then satin stitch around the whole tree/ (You can attach the backing whichever way works for you. Then do the satin stitching and your tree is finished except for a ring at the top - I usually crochet a loop but you can buy a plastic ring and cover it with a Christmas yarn. – sew it to the top of the tree.

Some people make small sized crochet snowflakes as decorations, or you can use tiny balls or whatever you wish. In my case friends sent me decorations for my tree in memory of my son.

I hope you will make one of these trees for someone who has lost a child – and you are welcome to share to pattern.