Friday, April 14, 2006

Dresden Sunflowers - in progress


















This is a little project that I have been working oft and on (more like oft than on) over the past few years. They are super easy to make - you sew the tips together before piecing the segments so you have no raw edges on the outside - see...














In anycase, I am up to 20 of them so far - thought I would blog about them today since I just showed you some of the yellows I bought to make some more, plus I bought a dark green background to applique them onto. AND, you all are blogging about project spectrum in orange, so maybe this might count - yellow and orange? They are laid out on a piece of black fabric for contrast.

















So, this is the part where I need some applique help! I put 1 of them onto a 7.5 background square and machine zig-zagged it on just as a test. I don't like it! Since it is already turned under I think the way to go is to hand applique it down. Or, maybe a machine blind stitch instead? Or, black blanket stitch??? So, do I baste it on? Stablize it with something else? Use yellow or dark green thread??? No idea!!! But, I know some of you are really great at applique so thought I would ask. The centers of each flower are going to be plaid - I sewed the circle onto paper first so there would be no raw edge and then used a gold thread and subtle decorative stitch on my machine for that part (I like how that came out, but it is hard to see in this photo).
















Just ignore the (wrinkled) background on the above photo - it isn't what I will use. I am all out of petals to sew together, so sometime this week I hope to cut some more out - if they are all cut and by my sewing machine I can do a few here and there and it will add up. Still no idea how I will end up setting them, but probably on the diagonal. This is one UFO that is just too sweet not to finish!




13 comments:

Finn said...

They a fun Dresden sunflowers Evelyn, and I hope you do applique them down. I can't give you any advice in that department, cause I don't do applique...LOL, but some of gals are really great at it.

Love the idea of dark green background and the plaid centers!

sophie said...

Since, as you pointed out, the edges are already all turned under, you don't need a dense zig-zag to sew them down. If you used a narrow blind hem stitch (or a more open zig-zag stitch) with clear thread (monofiliment or monopoly), you'll end up with something that looks more like hand-applique. Sue Nickels has great instructions for this style machine applique in her book, along with lots of other good info for machine applique.

I love your "plates" and know that your quilt is going to be beautiful.

Vicky said...

Those are just lovely! I've a dresdan plate all kitted up and waiting its turn.

Evelyn, I'd hand applique them. It would be real easy since you've already got the edges turned. Of course, I enjoy the applique process and find it real relaxing. Can't wait to see what you decide to do with them.

Darcie said...

Ooh! I like Sophie's idea. I have a few friends that do applique with a blind hem stitch. One in particular likes matching her thread instead of using mono-thread...she took an (obviously too hot) iron to a project with mono...and it sizzled away! Not a good thing!

Doodlebug Gail said...

Those sunflowers have such an elegant look about them. Just gorgeous. My suggestion would be hand applique for the outer edges as well as the middle circles. They will look great on the dark background. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Cher said...

very pretty dresden blocks! you have been given good advice so far-and I don't have anything else to add...

Hanne said...

I have made several of these, and I recommend you to sew them down by hand for the best looking result.
I will also recommend you to sew the center cirle on by hand. If you will do them by machine a blanket stitch like this might work LLLLLL, with matching thread. I have several yellow flowers like yours in a zip lock bag too. Maybe I should dig them out and keep you company ?

Jeanne said...

Oh, the sunflower colors are fun! I have a template thingy for making the segments like that, with the points finished -- I made Grandmother's Fan blocks with it. At the time I just did a straight machine stitch a smidge in from the edge with matching thread to hold them down to the background. But at this point in my quilty career, I'd probably vote for handstitching.
Jeanne :)

Anonymous said...

I love this method of making Dresdens and am in the process of a 30's style quilt with them. Definitely hand stitch them down to the background. With the edges turned under already it's quick and very easy. Just pin them down first so they don't move.

Linda C said...

I love the pointy dresden plate blades--so much easier to do the edge finishing. The one I did most recently was from Burns' "Egg Money Quilts" so was in 30's repros. I blanket stitched around it in the traditional black. That one went in a block raffle but I'll make another for my 30's sampler and take one of my less favored out.

The Calico Cat said...

Lovely, after seeing so many others and hearing about your quilt... Did you get the answers that you wanted? I too like the green background...

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I love your dresden plate sunflowers! What a great quilt this is going to be! I see by now you have lots of help on your questions, so I'll just say - they are beautiful and lots of fun!

Betty J in OKC said...

I did a Dresden flower similar to yours and added a 3-d leaf under 4 sides of the flower, like this: x . I took a circle, folded it in half, folded it into thirds and placed it with the opening side up underneath the flowers.
Betty J In OKC