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

 BLOOM 

Sew Simple Shapes

CLICK HERE

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