Appliqué Lesson 6: Perfect Petals

For all you quilters in search of Spechler-Vogel cotton sateen I am revealing my sources. I get this fabric from my friend Elfriede. She’s in Boulder, CO but has a website, www.elfriedesfinefabric.com, and is very willing to take phone orders.

As you can see from my above picture petals are a huge part of my appliqué quilts. It can be very tedious carefully ironing around all these petals so I have a speedy way to make simple petals. I find this gives me perfect petals every time and saves a bunch of time. Sometimes when I have a bunch to do I just have myself a little petal party, you should see my studio after THAT.

Here we go.

Begin with a simple petal template

Trace onto the backside of your fabric

Tracing done

Cut out your shape leaving a turn under allowance

Sew a nice simple running stitch in your turn under allowance

All stitched

Before you pull the thread pin down these ends with your finger

Apply a little starch all the way around

Press until dry

See how nice!

A perfect petal

Comments

[Amy Austin]

That is pretty freakin' smart!

[Karen]

That is brilliant!!!! I cannot wait to give it a try. I am so excited. Thanks you so much for showing that. Karen

[Marj]

I am really enjoying your tutorials. I am new to doing applique and the more I see of it the more I want to do. Your tips make it less intimidating. Thank You!

[Karen]

I like how you do that! I normally just needle turn except for circles but this makes the petals look really great - I might have to try this. Where do you get your mylar template material from? I have only found clear stuff and it tends to get lost easily - I like the frosted type that you have.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

[Julie]

Very nice technique!! I have printed out the first block and made my templates, just need to make fabric selections and I am off to the races. I wanted to thank you for doing this...it is a lot of work, but very appreciated.

[Debbie]

When do you remove the mylar template? :)

[Erin Russek]

I take the template out after the shape is pressed

[Diane]

As my Granny would say, "that was worth the price of admission". I would have never thought to do that. It is kind of like a V-8 moment, it's so logical. Thank you for showing that, my petals will be so much smoother now.

[Tree]

Oh now that is so clever, I was going to do all needle turn (except for circles) until I saw this. I'm ordering up some template plastic right away! Just wish I could find those superfine Sharpie pens over here, they're very elusive.

[sara]

thank you Erin for your appliqué tutorials, very clear instructions and pictures to teach me how to follow your techinque. Fabulous patterns, too
Hugs from Italy
Sara

[angelabe]

Scusa ma avrei una domanda da farti. Non capisco dove va a finire la carta che metti sulla stoffa per il modello dopo che hai cucito. Ti lascio la mia mail: angelabertolotti@gmail.com Ti ringrazio tanto se puoi rispondermi

[angelabe]

Sorry but I have a question for you. I do not understand what becomes of the paper that you put on the cloth for the model after you've sewn. I leave you my mail: angelabertolotti@libero.it Thank you so much if you can answer

[angelabe]

Sorry, my mail is: angelabertolotti@virgilio.it
Sorry Angela

[Mandy M]

I finally tried your petal tutorial today, might I say it work Beautifully! I can't believe I haven't tried this way before. Thanks for sharing once again! Next I'll give the assembly method a try.

[Beverly]

Thank you. I've used that method for circles just never thought to use it for other shapes!