Inspired by the Tiny Tree stitch-along by Temecula Quilt Co the idea for this project evolved and grew. Using two New Zealand batik designs, kowhai tree and ferns, I decided to make the blocks a little bigger. And instead of stitching the multiple block designs which were offered in the stitch-along, I decided on pinwheel blocks only.
Tane Mahuta
The tree section was free motion quilted in large stipple, and what a time I had. Because I do FMQ irregularly, it takes me a while to work out what to do, usually after a spate of nothing much happening because the BSR foot was not correctly fitted, and I’m wondering why oh why isn’t this working. Eventually I got it going, but I have to say, I’m never very happy attempting FMQ - it always looks so easy when the experts do it.
My little tree is a tribute to Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest, which is New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree. It is thought the first encounter of the tree by Westerners was in the 1920s, by contractors surveying the present SH12 through the forest. In 1928, Nicholas Yakas and other bushmen who were building the road, also came across the big tree Tane Mahuta.
According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tane was the child that tore his parents' parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have here today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tane's children.
This magnificent giant kauri tree in found in the Waipoua Forest of Northland, New Zealand and is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old. It is the largest kauri known still standing today.
It is an easy walk through the forest to view this tree, and many others. Not far into the walk, a sweeping corner of the track suddenly brings you face to face with the ‘Lord of the Forest’ Tane Mahuta’s strength and ancient presence, and its overwhelming size makes visitors look like dwarfs. This is a huge tree, and it’s not until you wend your way along the path and get closer that you realise it’s size. The measurements are:
- Trunk girth: 13.77 m
- Trunk height: 17.68 m
- Total height: 51.2 m
- Trunk volume: 244.5 m³
We have been lucky to visit the Waipoua Forest a couple of times, and it will be on our “must do” list when we travel that way again.
7 comments:
Lovely tree made with pinwheels block...
I can never seam to be able to use the BSR foot sew just drop fed dog to do FMQ..
We were there when I was about 12 or 13??? I will need to find a photo of my Mum, my cousin and myself there. Those were the days of full skirts , and bolero cardigans.
p.s. Forgot to say, love that tree you made, a very fitting tribute to our own Tane Mahuta. And with NZ fabrics, extra special.
Oh I cannot get the hang of free motion quilting at all. I only do walking foo work...
I love how your own special Tree came out..just lovely--your Lord of the Forest reminds me of our giant Sequoia trees in California's Yosemite Park.....beautiful specimen...
thanks for sharing the back story ~ ~ ~ waving in the sun (finally!) Julierose
What an amazing tree! I love this post and your pinwheel version of Tane Mahuta.
Your tree is delightful. Lovely choice of fabrics. Thanks for the info on your famous tree. What an amazing sight it must be.
A lovely little quilt and thanks for the info about such an iconic tree.
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