For National Quilting Month, Worldwide Quilting Day and just plain old weekend fun, I’m working on my applique quilt below. I hope to get the top completed this weekend. I also finished sewing all the the blocks for my Hugs ‘n Kisses Quilt Along.
There’s nothing better than a nice quiet day of sewing!
In my recent blog post about slowing down and enjoying the process, someone made the comment that we all need to stop and smell the roses. So far, I am savoring every delicious step of making my pretty rose buds quilt! You can read about French Roses #1 here.
French Rose Buds Pieces
I’m calling it Baby French Roses since it’s the baby sized version of the original French Roses pattern. I was on a roll this week and finished all of the rose blocks using soft edge applique techniques. This method is contemporary and quick, allowing me to enjoy the process. I stitched down all 4 blocks of one color per day, over 3 days, and never felt rushed.
Stitching the Leaves
First Petal
Using the knee-lift on my Bernina was especially helpful so I could leave my hands free to turn the blocks as needed, sometimes after just one or two stitches. I also like to use an open toe foot so I can see exactly where I’m going.
Pre-wound Bobbins
I matched my threads to the fabric colors and paid attention to details like pulling the loose threads to the back of the blocks and tying them off.
That way you can’t see my starts and stops on the front of the blocks.
I used an assortment of pre-wound bobbin thread colors to match. It didn’t take much thread to applique each block.
Trimming the Roses
I trimmed the excess fabric underneath each rose patch as I went so there would not be too much bulk underneath each flower. Using curved tip scissors helped me avoid poking through the top fabric while I cut.
I really like how the flowers have texture, each made from 4 layers of the same solid fabric in pastels. They will fray up nicely when I wash the finished quilt. Now it’s time to play around with block placement. I’ll blog again next week when I finish the top.
French Rose Buds
If you’d like to make a quilt like mine, I have a few more French Rose Buds kits left. Or you can purchase the French Roses pattern (original or baby size) and make it your own. 🙂
Applique Rose Blocks
To read my post about starting this project last week click here.
My goal is to make every day a Quilting Day!
I think I have this pattern and haven’t been able to try it yet. I love the use of solids! Such beautiful work. Look forward to seeing the finished product!
Thanks! It’s been really fun so far. 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an all solids french roses- it’s a lovely effect. I have many blocks appliqued for one of my own, but I lost my steam along the way. I really need to buckle down and finish it…
Love the baby French Roses and choice of pastels!
These are so cool!
Very cute!
So happy to have you come join my sew-cial to celebrate International Quilt Day. You certainly captured the spirit of this sew-cial. Thanks for all the great tips!
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
You have more patience than I do, lol! Lovely!
That is going to be a gorgeous baby quilt! A very special quilt for your new niece.
I love your baby French Roses. Very sweet project.
How pretty! It looks as though it would be very meditative sewing all the petals on top of each other. That is something I could work with!
oh, I love them!