Embroidered Hearts

In the January list of projects for 2025, I listed two embroidered blocks projects, #11 & 12. Both projects have the same problem, not enough blocks. I finally came up with a solution, applique blocks. Number 12 is the purple/lavender blocks.

While I was appliqueing the Elegant Garden blocks, I was asked to show more of the applique process. I will do that with this applique block.

I'm using colors for the applique that are the embroidery threads. I'm not going to change the green embroidery thread on the blocks but the green I use to applique might be slightly darker.

This type of embroidery is printed onto background fabric and the blocks were intended to finish at 18". That is fine if they're printed straight on the fabric but these blocks weren't so I needed to trim the edges more. They'll finish at 17". I have twelve completed blocks, I need four more blocks so I can make the quilt square.

The applique I'm using is from this book, A Baltimore Album, 25 applique patterns by Marsha D. Radtke. I appliqued this quilt several years ago and called it the Pastor's Attic quilt.

The first block is block 10, Rose & Rosebud Circle. These are basic instructions, you print off the pattern, in this case I had to print off 4 pages and tape them together to make a whole block. I lay the paper on a light-box and place the background fabric on top then trace the design onto the fabric using a Frixon pen (which disappears when pressed with a HOT iron).

Take the background fabric off then place freezer paper on top of the paper pattern and trace the pieces onto the freezer paper. You then need to cut out the individual pieces.

With a HOT iron, iron the applique pieces onto the fabric that you are going to use for each piece. I leave the paper templates on the fabric until I'm ready to use it. Make sure you label each baggie so you know what the contents are. Notice that I've marked where the stem is supposed to be on the flower. This will help with the flower placement.

Sometimes the templates are directional, make sure you trace them correctly so your applique is going the correct direction to the marked background fabric. Make sure you iron the templates onto the fabric with a bias orientation.

There are 3 different stems on this block, I have 3 different bags with stems. Write on a separate paper which stem these are for and stick it each individual bag.

I'm not sure if I'll stick with this yellow, I  might change to a more brighter shade. The instructions are to embroider a spiral onto the flowers, I'm going with a small circle applique. For the circles, I'm using the Wash Away Applique product I talk about in this post.

For the applique, cut around the design, make sure you leave enough 'turn under' fabric. I probably leave more 'turn under' than most people but it works for me!

Before appliqueing each piece, I lick my thumb & finger and finger press the 'turn under' fabric. The fabric will remember what it's supposed to do as I stitch.

Leaving the freezer paper on the applique for now, FOR NOW!, pin the piece to the background fabric of the design. I'm going to start stitching on the right side.

I've stitched up the right side and I'm ready to make the point. Stitch two stitches at the point. Stitching two stitches helps to lock the point.

Take a sharp pointed tooth pick, that you've had in your mouth, (the moisture really helps grip the fabric) and carefully turn under the fabric on the left side.

Once the fabric is tucked under and ready to be stitched, pull the thread at the point, it should 'pull out' into a sharp point then stitch down the left side. 

The left side is stitched, pull the freezer paper out of the underside of the fabric.

Trim the excess fabric off the to be appliqued piece. Take a sharp scissors and clip into the point.

Lay the template on top of the flower bud then pin in place. I use regular sized pins but you can buy small applique pins. Don't forget to finger press the edges of the stem.

Again I start stitching on the right side, since I'm right handed and stitch like I did the flower bud. One of the stem points is more rounded than the other, that's just fine. The quilt police will NOT show up and I have no intention of displaying this quilt in a quilt show.

I normally remove the freezer paper after I've started down the left side. Since the applique has been finger pressed, it remembers where it's supposed to turn under. The stem is a little longer than it needs to be, carefully snip that off so it won't stick out the bottom.

Two stitched flowers and stems, these little flowers are about 2.5" long.

I didn't take pictures of the next steps, you basically do the same for each piece like you do for the stems; trim off excess fabric, finger press, stitch it to the design. After the small flower stems were appliqued, the vine was stitched, then the mulberry purple flowers. The leaves were stitched last and the green is still a light green but slightly darker than the embroidered lazy daisy leaves.

After a good press with a hot iron, to make the frixon marking disappear, the Rose of Sharon block is completed. 

The applique block pattern finishes at 14" but I cut the background fabric larger. It's going to finish at 17", the same size as the embroidered blocks. There is plenty of space for pretty quilting. I don't know if this quilt will be hand quilted or machine quilted. I'm getting a backlog of quilts for hand quilting. It needs to be sewn into a flimsy first.

I will not go into detail for appliqueing the other three blocks.

I completed this block while I was also quilting the Amish crib quilt. I did not do all the applique in one week. Once the four blocks are finished, I'll put them with the embroidered blocks. Hopefully this flimsy will be pieced sometime this year.

At the November 2024 retreat, Rosemary gifted each of her table mates (which included me) project bags that she had made.

She bought old dresser scarves (that is what my family calls them) at thrift stores and used them for the back of the bag, what a great idea!

Linking to Patchwork & Quilts, Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Craftastic Monday, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, To Do Tuesday