Quilting Techniques - FORGET-ME-NOT and POINSETTIAS by Lorrie Ryther-Hall

 

FORGET-ME-NOT and POINSETTIAS

 

These are the last of the Dresden Plate Flowers. In future techniques, we will explore putting quilts and backgrounds together. Also, insects, bugs, and other embellishments. For now, we will focus on English Paper Piecing. I am by no means an expert on the different methods, however, I do enjoy hand work which includes doing English Paper Piecing with my favorite applique method.

 

First, let’s look at the basics needed in making these two flowers and even other flowers you want to design (tulips?). You will need cardstock to make templates. I’m economical so instead of purchasing cardstock per se, I use what I have. It is cheap to buy poster paper at dollar stores. OR use cereal boxes, thin package boxes, file folders, inserts in socks/shirts/etc., or the pieces of mail that are on light cardboard.  Also, you will need 3 to 4 jelly roll strips in red, blue or any color you desire. Yellow square of 2.5” for the Forget-Me-Not flower and a 5” square for the Poinsettia center. Two types of thread; basting thread and thin, strong (like silk) thread along with a needle. Washable glue stick and starch with a small paint brush.

 

There are three steps. The first step is making the template. Here are two templates you can use:

 

You can also make your own template by drawing a design like circles, hexagons, triangles, boxes, hearts, etc.. making sure that they are touching each petal on two sides. Trace on cardstock and make sure that you number each petal so you know where they go. Cut out the petals on the lines.

 

Next, lay your fabric out and place a template petal on it. You will need a ¼” border around the template. Use a pin or a small amount of glue to hold the fabric in place. There are two ways of securing the fabric around the template. The first one is basting. Using large stitches, start in center and sew around and back and forth making fabric tight around. To make the center indent, from the center of the petal, put your thread in the center of the indent from the wrong side of fabric and pull tight so fabric follows an indent and secure thread back through the center. Press with an iron to make creases.

The second way is my favorite way. Put a small amount of spray or liquid starch in a bottle cap. With a small paint brush, put a very small amount of starch on the edge you are turning; don’t wet the template just the fabric. With a metal stiletto or chopstick so don’t burn fingers, press the fabric over the template. I once used a glue stick instead of starch and it held very well; however, it was very difficult to get that needle through the glue on the fabrics when sewing together. Can trim fabric as you go or at the end. On the conclave of the poinsettias or anywhere you think necessary, cut a slit into the fabric up to the ¼” edge. This helps turning easier. It is best to go from opposite ends to keep points sharp and it makes it easier. Press as you go. Smooth edges also as you go and make sure fabric is tight on the template. With this method, when dry, you can remove the template prior to sewing together.  For a detailed tutorial on how to do this, go to YouTube @JellyRollClub. 

Once the petals are dry and cooled, it is time to put them together. First, you do not want to sew through the templates in order to remove them later. I prefer to remove the template at this point but remember the numbers on each petal. To sew together, place the right sides together, using the number of the template/petal. It is less important if all the petals are identical. Use a strong, matching silk or thin thread. Sew using a ladder or a whip stitch, catching a small amount of fabric. When opened, they open without showing the thread.

Sew all the petals together. Make your center using your favorite method. To finish, place on your background or on your quilt block and stitch down.

 

I hope you enjoyed the end of the Dresden Plates and all the Dresden Plate articles. I also hope you enjoyed the beginning of English Paper Piecing and more to follow next month. For now, enjoy!