Sunday, April 13, 2014

Layered flowers

Today I will spend a little time adding some embroidered bird legs on block #16.  I already started and have a good start on block #17.  It is another wreath block with eight layered flowers. Each flower has 5 layers, so they take a while to do.  I tried one, to make sure I could.  The little round pedals are a challenge for me.  But, the flowers in this particular block are a bit larger which makes a big difference.  So today I am working on layer #3.  I decided to work on all eight flowers instead of working on one at a time, which is working out pretty well.
 These Baltimore Garden blocks are so much fun to do.  I love how the block transforms, first it just a block with scattered leaves appliqued in what looks like a random pattern. Then a few stems and it still looks like hodge podge.  But once the flowers are placed it really starts to come together.
 I will be linking with Kathy's blog today to see what others will be slow stitching.

21 comments:

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    1. Thanks Deb, I would love to go back in time and meet the person that created the original quilt. The design is just so wonderful!

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  2. love your applique - it is always so nice to see others do hand work too

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    1. I agree that is why I love Slow Stitching Sundays. I hear more designers talking about hand work and the process maybe it will encourage those that need some me time to give quilting a try.

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  3. Your blocks are turning out so nice... thanks for sharing such a wonderful job! Kathi

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  4. Oh my, that's gorgeous. I just can't make myself enjoy doing applique work myself. .

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    1. Then I suggest follow your heart! I definitely believe we should all do what we enjoy. There are so many different directions one can go with quilting.

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  5. I love this block!! I do have a question: what technique do you use for applique? Yours is always so beautiful and I would love to be able to make some applique quilts (not that I ever expect to be as good as you!)

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    1. Kathy, I started out back basting which is a good way to practice as it keeps the pieces in place. Then I moved to marking the seam line and traditional needleturn. Last year I worked on leaving the freezer paper on top and love that method. I prefer to baste thru the paper and all if needed to marking the pieces. I usually can get by with applique pins unless the pieces get too small. Piece o cake designs has some great videos on needle turn. I am amazed at how some can glue or use starch to pre turn seams. I tried that method but it just wasn't for me. Needleturn takes some practice and definitely gets easier the more you do it. I still use backbasting when it works best, it is good to have a bag of tricks to go to get the job done.

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  6. It is amazing how the flowers come to life before your eyes. ANother beauty... enjoy!

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    1. I agree the flowers bring it all together. I am amazed at every block how wonderfully talented the original quilt maker had to be.

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  7. I fretted for weeks when I chose the fabrics for my first red and green quilt. I learned that more is better. So for this quilt, I went out to the rose garden and noticed yellow and blue greens so I just picked out five or six greens and just mix it up. I love the look too!

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  8. You have a nice variety of greens for the leaves in the one block. I like using lots of fabrics and you have chosen well.

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    1. Thanks Karen, I agree more is better. Can't beat those tone on tones!

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  9. Red & green…..swoon….LOVE! What a great idea to just go out to the garden for color
    inspiration, you are so creative and clever!!

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  10. Beautiful applique. I have not attempted a Baltimore quilt or block. You seem to have found a system of working with the multiple layers. I shall try to keep that in my memory bank. Smart woman to make a sample block. That does help.

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    1. I think the best advice I have ever heard about applique is taking it one stitch at a time and reminding yourself you are not in a race. It is really a lot about the process, very similar to hand quilting.

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  11. Carla that is looking SO beautiful!!!! I admire anyone who can work such beautiful Baltimore blocks :*)

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    1. Thanks Teresa! I really love gardening so stitching these is a real joy for me.

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  12. Thanks! I love to garden and realized one day Mother Nature is great with putting colors together, so why not let her help

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