How sweet is this flower?
Lori Holts Bloom Quilt is full of sweet flowers, all appliqued.
Applique is one of those techniques you love or hate and there are many methods to do it. I love it and usually use the paper piece method.
How does Lori do it? Her method is quite easy, trace your acrylic sew simple shape onto lightweight interfacing, put that on top of your fabric and sew on the drawn lines. Cut the shape out about 1/8 away from the sew line, cut a small hole in the interfacing and turn right side out. It gives a really nice applique piece. Why don't I do that?
I personally never get curves and small bits to look right on the many times I tried and I can never quite get all the interfacing not to be seen when stitching down the shapes. I have used paper piece applique for a long time, first applique I did was a Tilda design using that method and its stuck. You need some card stock, cereal box, tissue box, any sturdy card stock will do.
Trace the sew simple shapes you need for the block onto card, label and cut out. They can be reused :)
Place your paper shape on the fabric you want to use. Draw around with a pencil making sure to draw about 1/4 inch away from the paper, this extra is the fold allowance.
Cut them all out.
Using a glue pen or water soluble glue stick, fold over the edges.
Iron well on both sides.
Remove papers carefully and iron again.
Tip: I use a double pointed knitting needle to help remove papers.
Place them on your background square to make your finished flower and secure in place. You can use a bit of applique glue, kids white craft glue (make sure its water soluble), a glue stick or tiny applique pins.
You can now sew them on. Some like to use a fancy stitch on the sewing machine, I prefer to hand stitch them on.
Enjoy your flower :D
