Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Sew Simple Shapes - How to make Stems!!!


Today I'm going to
 show you how I make the 
stems to go with my
 happy patchwork flowers:)



I made all of my flowers using the
to get a set of your own:)



Before I made the stems...
I whipped up a few more leaves
 using the A-14 and A-16 
in the set.



Then I chose 
3 different greens
 from my scrappy stash
 to make my stems:)



I used the Clover 1/4" bias tape maker.



I cut my fabric strips 
5/8" x width of fabric.
***NOTE- these stems will be
 straight and not curvy 
so I did not cut
 them on the bias.



I like to clip off the
 corners and make a point
 to thread through 
the bias tape maker.



I insert the fabric 
like this and use whatever
 is handy next to me 
with a sharp point 
to help pull it 
through the tip.

You can use 
small embroidery scissors...
a tailors awl
 or a pin:)



This is what it looks like
 on the other side 
where the fabric 
comes out folded.


To press...
turn it back over
 to the side where 
its not folded. 

I like to thread it
 thru the metal loop 
on the end to keep
 my fabric straight.

Place your iron 
on the fabric 
without touching the
 bias tape maker....it's metal so you
 will make it too 
hot to touch!

Pull backwards 
(to the left) 
on the metal loop and
iron the fabric strip 
nice and flat 
as it comes out.



I like to let mine cool
 and then wind it around
vintage wooden spools ...
making sure the folds
 of the stems underneath
 are nice and flat 
as I wind it.

I use these tiny 
little appliqué pins by Clover
 to secure the ends.

Now my stem strips 
are ready for appliqué...
I just have to cut off 
the length needed for a flower:)



Before I appliqué 
the flowers 
onto a background...
I like to appliqué 
the centers onto
 each flower first.



I use matching 
50 weight 100% cotton 
Aurifil thread
and a tiny zigzag stitch.



I also keep a 
small ruler handy for 
measuring so that 
I'm sure the center 
is right in the middle
 before pinning 
and appliquéing.



I am doing machine appliqué
 for this project and 
I love the way it looks!



This is what 
it looks like
 from the back.
I change my top thread
 to match each piece
 that I am appliquéing...
but leave white 
Aurifil in my bobbin.



This is a close up
 of the top:)



Now that all of my flowers,
 leaves and stems are ready...
I'll show you
 what I'm making 
on my next post.
I can't wait!
xx
Lori

11 comments:

Little Quiltsong said...

Just love these scrappy flowers and leaves and the way you make the stems and have them ready just to cut to length. I won a lovely box of your 'happy color' threads a while ago, and have been using them sparingly. They have always been the perfect colors for my projects so far. Looking forward to your next post. Merry Christmas Lori, to you and your family!

Kath said...

Hello Lori, I was happy you showed how to use the clover bias maker. I bought one, but no instructions with it. I worked out how to use it, but I had wondered what the loop was for!
Have a happy Christmas.

elnorac said...

I can't wait to see what you're making with your cute flowers, Lori! I'm actually going to brave the crowds today to go buy some sew in Pellon interfacing at Joann's because I can't wait another day to make some flowers with your shapes! And btw, it has never occurred to me to turn the bias tape maker over, but it makes perfect sense!

Jackie said...

Thank you for the great tutorial! Merry Christmas!!

ferne said...

Genious! I am getting ready to do some applique flowers and it would be so handy to have the stems all done and coming off a spool! Thanks for sharing your great ideas!

robinnan said...

Love it!!! I just got my plastic pattern shapes for Christmas and can't wait to get started!!!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

The last several post are sew fun Lori! I could have a basket full of these and stare at them all day and maybe someday use them! Your talents are endless! Thanks for making sewing/quilting sew much fun! Happy New Year! xox

Mel Hopes said...

I have been playing with my blooms shapes and I love them and can't stop making fun flowers. Thanks for all the great inspiration you always give. I can't wait for you to show us what to make with all the flowers we have made. I bet I have enough for a bunch of projects.

mascanlon said...

I love the idea of making yards of stems to have available! Thanks for the tutorial.

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

I just can't get enough of these gorgeous fabrics and shapes! To be honest these fabrics really make me happy! Thanks for sharing your awesome stuff :o) I'm looking forward to follow your work, and I am looking forward to a new great and creative year.
Wish you a Happy New Year :oD
Big hugs from Norway

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Lori! Happy New year to you! I have had fun going through lots of your blog posts and enjoying every minute of it! Your fabrics, and quilt designs are so ADORABLE! I bought a jelly roll of one of my favorite fabrics of yours and going to make a jelly roll quilt out of it. Your retreats look like sew much fun too! Well, just checking in to say hello and I have admire you for years! Hugs, Maryjane xox

Related Posts with Thumbnails