Today I am participating in a Blog Hop featuring and celebrating (Quilter's Treasure Chest) Raija Salomaa's signature fabric line called 'The Grove Collection' by Island Batiks.
Here is a peek of The Grove Collection. As you can see these fabrics are bright and fun! Raija has made several patterns using this line and the are very pretty ! Raija is a accomplish quilter, pattern designer, and stellar teacher. If you have not seen her pattern designs run (don't walk) over to her website.(LINK)
Here is the Blog Hop Schedule, click on the links to see a few other projects made using these fabrics (plenty of eye candy and ideas) ...
Sunday 6/23/2024 Raija Salomaa of Quilter's Treasure Chest (LINK)
Monday 6/24/204 Shelly Watson of Wiggle Creek Designs (you are here!)
Tuesday 6/25/2024 Tiffany Hayes of Needle in a Hayes Stack(LINK)
Wednesday 6/26/2024 Tracey Stinger of The Busy Bee Quilter (LINK)
Thursday 6/27/2024 Toni Raynolds of Love Pieced Perfection (LINK)
Friday 6/28/2024 Raija Salomaa of Quilter's Treasure Chest (LINK)
Twisted Ballon Flowers
Just for this Blog Hop, I designed a pretty 12 inch Applique block. I am calling this block 'Twisted Ballon Flowers' because it reminds me of balloon flowers (and I am not good with names). I will be making this pattern available in my shop as a Freebie (LINK).
The following is a brief tutorial of how to make this block for yourself. I am using a Fusible Applique technique - but you could Needle Turn if so desired. I love using Batiks in fusible applique projects - there is very little (if any at all) fraying.
First download the free pattern on your computer, and print out 4 copies. Check your printer settings - make sure print 100% is selected.
Cut out these 4 squares and tape them together to form the full size pattern (as shown below)
Next, make some Bias Tape for the Stems. Cut some bias strips at 5/8 inch width. Use lots of Spray Starch on your strips to make them wet. Feed the wet strips thru a 1/4 inch Bias Tape Maker, and iron the strips as they come out of the bias tape maker.
Trace the flowers and leaves on the paper side of fusible web (I used Steam A Seam Lite). Following your fusible web directions, iron to the desired fabric. I used a lighter blue fabric for the outside of the flowers, and darker blue for the inside of the flowers .
Once your Fusible Web is applied to the desired fabrics, cut out the pieces.
Place the smaller light blue 'outside' flower on top of the darker blue 'inside' flower. Iron in place.
Now we are ready to assemble the pattern! Place an applique sheet on top of your paper pattern - you should be able to see thru the applique sheet for correct placement. Take your bias tape (spritz tape with water) and place the bias tape where the stem is shown. Use your Iron and press the bias tape to retain the shape. I use a small dot of applique glue under the stem to attach branches.
Using your pattern as a guide place, place flowers and leaves where they belong. Use your iron to press and fuse pieces in place.
Keep building your design, and pressing with iron.
Once you have finished building your design, iron it. You can now peel the design off the applique sheet and place it on your background fabric. The leaves will need to be moved one by one as the are not attached to the stem. Dots of applique glue will need to be randomly placed under the stem.
Once the design is in place, fuse the pieces to background fabric. Make sure to follow the directions of your fusible web (many require steam). Once pieces are fused down, you can take the block to your sewing machine and sew / applique around all pieces. I prefer to use a blanket stitch and coordinating color thread.
Here is the (LINK) if you would like to download my 'Twisted Ballon Flower' pattern.