Quilt Notes: It is traditional to use one fabric for the whole leaf, or in dark and light, as in the design above with alternating teapot fabrics. Barbara Brackman's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PIECED QUILT PATTERNS illustrates 5 different "TEA LEAF" designs, along with TEA BASKET, TEA BOX, TEA ROSE, TEA TIME, TEA FOR FOUR and TEAPOT. This version of TEA LEAF was designed by Beth Gutcheon, and appeared in the "Perfect Patchwork Primer" in 1973. It is also illustrated in Rhoda Oscher Goldberg's "Quilting and Patchwork Dictionary," 1988, with two additional variations.

Click here for an interesting excerpt from a book on Zen and the Japanese Tea Ceremony by Julia V. Nakamura. For more "kitchen" quilt blocks, see: TUMBLERS, SALAD BOWL and KITCHEN WOODBOX, or arguably, FLYING SAUCER.