Fresh Cut Flowers
Designed by Joyce Robinson
Finished Quilt Size
15" x 35"
Joyce makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to create this everlasting bouquet.
Fabric Requirements
Magenta mottle (background)
1/2 yd.
Olive green batik (base)
11" x 17" piece
Gold mottle (tulips, binding)
1/2 yd.
Medium green mottle (leaves)
8" x 16" piece
White tulle (vase)
12" x 38" piece
Backing 5/8 yd.
Batting 18" x 38" piece
Other Materials
• Sewing thread
• Freezer backed fusible web, 1/2 yd.
• Machine quilting thread, green, olive green, magenta, gold
• Clover fusible bias tape, green, 3 yds.
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Planning, Cutting, and Marking
You'll enjoy this quick way to create a splash of spring sunshine for your home. The design elements are fused in place. Other than piecing the background, no stitching occurs until quilting, which secures the appliqué. Joyce's clever use of fine bridal tulle for the vase adds a 3-dimensional touch to the design.
| Note: Appliqué templates are printed reversed and without seam allowance for use with paper-backed fusible web. Click here to download template diagram in PDF format. (You'll need to have Adobe's Acrobat Reader program, Version 5.0 or later, installed on your computer to view and print this PDF file. If you do not have the Reader installed, click here to get "free" Adobe Acrobat Reader.) |
| Cutting Instructions |
Magenta mottle
... 1 rectangle 15" x 27"
Olive green batik
... 1 rectangle 8 1/2" x 15"
Gold mottle
... 1 Template A
... 1 Template B
... 1 Template C
... 1 Template D
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Medium green mottle
... 1 Template E
... 2 Template E reversed (ER)
... 2 Template F
... 2 Template FR
White tulle
... 1 Template G (on fold) |
Piecing the Background
Step 1. Sew magenta mottle 15" x 27" rectangle to olive green batik 8 1/2" x 15" rectangle to form pieced background as shown in Diagram I.
Creating Floral Arrangement
Step 2. Trace Templates A-F on paper side of paper-backed fusible web. Cut apart, leaving small margin beyond drawn lines. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse to wrong side of appropriate fabrics; cut apart on drawn lines.
Step 3. Cut 1 Template G from white tulle (see Special Instructions for Freezer Paper Templates below). Be sure to fold tulle and place template on fold line as indicated to cut a double layer of tulle. Refer to Template G and fold tulle to form base and top of vase; set aside.
Step 4. Finger press magenta mottle/olive green batik pieced background in half lengthwise and widthwise as shown in Diagram II. Use folds as placement guides.
Step 5. From green fusible bias tape, cut 4 stems in the following lengths: for tulip A, 22"; tulip B, 25"; tulip C, 21"; and tulip D, 23".
Step 6. Referring to photo and Diagram II, arrange stems and template fabrics A-F. Note: Vase will not be added until after quilting, use Template G to check that the stems fit within the mouth of the vase before fusing. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse in place.
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Special Instructions for Freezer Paper Templates
Fabrics like tulle are slippery and hard to control. Bonnie Lyn McCaffery, author of Fantasy Fabrics: Techniques for Layered Surface Design, recommends using freezer paper templates to keep things under control.
A. Trace design on dull side of freezer paper.
B. Iron freezer paper template to tulle, using a dry iron on a medium temperature setting. The freezer paper will stabilize the tulle while you are cutting.
C. Cut out shape with sharp scissors.
D. Carefully remove freezer paper template from tulle.
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Quilting and Finishing
Step 7. Layer and baste quilt top for quilting method of your choice (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions). Joyce machine quilted using a wide (1/2" - 3/4") free-motion zigzag with green thread to secure the stems. Using gold or green thread (to match fabric), Joyce covered each flower and leaf with a free-motion design that roughly follows the template shape. The fun of Joyce's quilting is that it is not precise. Lines cross, and no lines are spaced evenly, adding a natural, dimensional feel to the piece. Using thread to match magenta background, Joyce quilted an allover swirl pattern. The olive green background was quilted with wavy lines parallel to the seam with matching thread.
Step 8. Referring to photo, place prepared tulle vase (Step 3) on quilted background. Joyce used wide ( 1/2" - 3/4") machine free-motion zigzag with olive green thread to secure sides of vase. She used a (1") free-motion zigzag to secure the base. The top opening the vase is left unstitched.
Step 9. Bind with gold mottle fabric (see Basic Quiltmaking Instructions).
Further Information
Check out Bonnie Lyn McCaffery's book, Fantasy Fabrics: Techniques for Layered Surface Design. Bonnie teaches all over the world. You can contact her at HC-8, Box 8526, Hawley, PA 18428; bmccaffe@ptd.net; http://bonniemccaffery.com/.
Try eQuilter.com, an ultimate source for luscious batiks and hand-dyes. Also available from eQuilter are Clover fusible bias tape and fusible web. Order online from http://eQuilter.com, or call toll-free: 1-877-FABRIC-3. |
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