I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Thursday, May 17, 2012

A little while back, I posted about an applique quilt block that I love

called the Friendship Dahlia

It is so easy with just 8 petals and a round center to stitch together. It is usually stitched on pre-cut pieces of cotton squares  measuring about 14 inches. Then the blocks are stitched together with a strip between the blocks.  However.........
as most of you have come to know about me..............

I decided to change it a little by simply marking 14 inch square places on a cotton flat sheet, and then applique the Dahlia onto the middle of each square. When all appliques are stitched onto the sheet, I will then separate them with a green fabric bias strip. I left room on each edge of the sheet to applique a floral and leaf border. I then can either place batting and backing onto it and quilt it............or I could even make it a light coverlet by simply placing a backing onto it and quilting that into place. I really am leaning toward making it into a quilt.
What do you think?

 I plan to have applique dahlias in every different color. This should look so cheery for a spring time bedroom...........think so?
And because I love hand stitching, I am doing it all by hand.
What are you stitching on this weekend?
Or perhaps you are painting or crafting with something else?
 I would love to hear!


12 comments:

Cgirl said...

I have your lovely dahlia pattern but I have never tried to applique it. Thanks for inspiring me to get busy on it.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your dahlias are beautiful! I do enjoy a good applique project from time to time. I have a book of wildflowers that I want to try.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I think whatever you do is absolutely beautiful! And the handstitching makes all it all the more precious. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Gina E. said...

That is so simple yet effective! I sketched it on a piece of paper from your blog photo, and think I've figured out how to do it.

lil red hen said...

This is a wonderful idea! Years ago I appliqued this pattern onto separate blocks. I'd probably add a batting and turn it into a heavier quilt.

With hay season in full swing, my stitching is limited; I quilted, maybe, 18 inches yesterday, but I think about it while working.

Hill Top Post said...

I love hand applique. My mother did beauitul applique work, and I recently brought home some of her pieces. I don't know if I will ever be able to master the stich as she did it, but I can certainly admire the work of others who do.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Kathleen...the Dahlia is lovely and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

I did some sketching last evening to keep the creativity flowing, and today I experimented with some designs I did and printed out a little piece of "wrapping paper" and a matching stationary sheet. The paper I used to wrap a small gift I have for my sister, and I wrote a little message on the matching stationary sheet. It looks wonderful, and I would love to paint more designs.

Blessings for the day,
Marianne xox

Joanne said...

I love what you are doing with the Dahlias' applique onto sheets. I can already envision how pretty it is going to look. You do such wonderful handwork, Kathleen

A Colorful World said...

Definitely a quilt! The applique flowers are just beautiful, and it they will make the most wonderful quilt!

Sharon said...

I love it!

Jocelyn said...

Beautiful! Where did you get the pattern?

I have a question, though. Did you turn under the raw edge? I can't tell.

Conni said...

Beautiful design and color choices! That will make a gorgeous quilt!