May 06 18
Fantasy Flower Quilt Block
I’ve been experimenting with a new large quilt block design and I’m calling it the Fantasy Flower Block. This is another machine embroidery applique block, (meaning that it is appliqued and embroidered using an embroidery machine), and after multiple revisions, I’ve settled on the final block above. This a large block, (24 inches square), and it’s created in 4 hoopings. Each block takes nearly 3 full days of dedicated work to complete. All of the applique shapes were cut on my Sizzix Big Shot machine except for the stems, which were traced and cut by hand. I like some of the details so I tried to take some close ups to show them. Here is a close up of one of the flowers:
The center-most part of the flower (i.e. the thistle part of the flower), has a dual edge border treatment that I’ve never tried before. I was trying to add a sense of “prickliness” or a “menacing nature” to that thistle, so we added those spikey edges. I like the contrast of having an adjacent satin stitch right up against that prickly edge. I also really like the stems. Here is a shot of 4 stems converging in the center area:
(Sorry, you need to ignore that center crosshair! I guess I forgot to remove it before taking the photo!) Each block holds 2 pairs of identical stems. Here’s a shot of one color option on this block:
…and here’s a shot of another stem in a different colorway:
Here is a close up of a portion of a stem so you can see the details better:
I’ve used this same dual edge finishing design many times now, but it never ceases to amaze me! I love the complexity of this design so I’m sure you’ll see me use it again. Here’s a shot of one of the fleur-de-lis shapes; their embroidered details are pretty “vanilla,” but I needed some “quiet places” on the block:
…and here’s a shot of the whole block using a little bit of a different background fabric:
I’ve finished the 4 blocks that will make the center portion of the quilt. The center will measure 47 1/2 inches square. I’m hoping to begin working on a border design in the next few days…can’t wait!
Stunning, absolutely stunning. And I love the size of this block too!
WOW!!! I love this one!
Amazing. Certainly worth 12 days of work!