Feature Friday- Appliqued State Flowers

BySusan Myers on applique


appliqued state flowers arkansas

I’m in the midst of several great quilling projects that I will be revealing in the next couple of weeks.  And I am putting together the final touch-ups on a series for beginner quilters.  So this Feature Friday, I’m going to show you a UFO of mine.  (Unfinished Object).  My appliqued State Flowers!

appliqued state flowers arizona
I wanted to learn the art of applique, so I started to design a 50 state quilt top of the state flowers.  I’ve only completed 5 of them so far, and honestly have not worked on this project in about four years.  But when I get it out and look at it, I get all excited about it all over again.  I may add this project to my UFO challenge.  Or at least plan on completed it one day this decade.  Ha!
appliqued state flowers california
I started by sewing together four pastel squares of fabric for the background.  The squares were 3 1/2″ square and when sewn together with 1/4″ seams, create a 6 1/2″ unfinished square.
I then drew out a line drawing of what I wanted to create.  My method of applique is to work from the background to the foreground, so I numbered my drawing in the order that I wanted to piece the fabric.
appliqued state flowers arizona
I have a huge stash of fabric scraps, collected over many many years of quilting.  Several years ago, I sorted all my scraps and put them in plastic bins according to color.  This made it easy when it came to the applique designs to choose colors that are in the same colorway, but different shades.
appliqued state flower pattern alabama  appliqued state flower alabama
appliqued state flower arkansasappliqued state flower arkansas
appliqued state flower alaskaappliqued state flower alaska
appliqued state flower arizonaappliqued state flower arizona
appliqued state flower californiaappliqued state flower california
These are my original drawings.  I then trace the pattern onto freezer paper.  You see, the shiny side of freezer paper, when ironed onto fabric, stays stuck until you want to remove it.  And leaves no residue.  Each piece of fabric is cut about 1/8″ larger around than the pattern piece to allow for folding the edges under.
appliqued state flower alabama
Since I did not take pictures of the applique process, please check out this tutorial on Needleturn Applique by Rose Rushbrooke.  It is very similar to the process that I used to create these squares.  And Rose does a great job of explaining it.
appliqued state flower alabama
On areas such as the veins in the leaves, I used a method called Reverse Applique.  Where you baste down the “vein fabric” in the background first, and then applique the sides of the leaves over top of it.
applique state flowers
As you can see, I have 45 more of the blocks to go.  That is unless the United States adds another state or two before I finally finish this project.
In the meantime, it is pretty fun to look at and imagine what it might be when it is complete.
Are you new to the Sitcom?  Be sure to check out my Frequently Asked Questions Page!
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy my Sleepy Time Doorstop Tutorial.  A really cute doorstop and a simple little quilt.  Very easy to do.
Also, check out my Chocolate Box Pincushion.  Another simple sewing project with amazing results!  And no calories!
For over 100 crafty tutorials for all ages, visit my Tutorial Page!

I am an artist, crafter and humor writer living in Atlanta, GA. I attended the Atlanta College of Art, and have a background in fine arts, graphic design, and photography. I like to specialize in vintage and recycled crafts such as quilling, Ukrainian Egg Dying, batik and quilting.

33 Comments

  1. HI Suzy, what a wonderful art. i love it…
    Amazing ! definately i will try for egg shells and many
    thanks for sharing … keep moving..

  2. Beautiful flowers that can be used for many purposes. I am in Ontario, Canada. If you run across a trillium, please share.

  3. Your appliques are beautiful. Maybe you could do a Block of the Month tutorial and people could follow along and post their pictures too.

  4. Jan Gómez says:

    Están geniales!! felicitaciones por la página!!

  5. I have always wanted to do projects like this,maybe one day when I acquire patience.Good luck with finishing this beautiful project,it will happen one day.So nice to check out your work through MIM

  6. {nifty thrifty things} says:

    These are so pretty!!
    Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!
    I hope to see more of your creativity this weekend!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

  7. Neha Jain says:

    :)cute

  9. Oh my goodness these are absolutely beautiful, I saw your beautiful creation on MIM. luv gina xx

  10. skoots1mom says:

    just beautiful!!

  11. Lisa Jane says:

    wow these are stunning.. so pretty
    Thanks for linking up to Make it Monday this week
    Lisa x
    Don't forget……… if you leave a comment on another entry, mention that you saw their card on "Make It Monday" for a chance at second prize. The more entries you comment on the more chance you have of winning second prize.

  12. creativejewishmom/sara says:

    You are soooooo ambitious! Gorgeous applique work, thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

  13. WOW these are very special, only expected to see one from the MIM picture but there is a whole feast of them delightful. XOXO Zoe

  14. Toni @ SugarTart_Crafts says:

    These are beautiful! You are one talented (and ambitious) lady. The finished quilt will look absolutely amazing!

  15. These look amazing, you are so clever! It will look stunning when it is finished!

  16. Beautiful work, my friend down the road from me just came to see your work as she loves quilting.Will be wonderful to see it all finished.
    Thanks for sharing on 'Make it Monday'
    Luv CHRISSYxx

  18. These flowers are incredible Suzy! I can't believe you wanted to learn the art of applique so decided to stitch ALL the state flowers!! What a way to start!!!!
    It's going to be such an amazing quilt when you're done!!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

  19. Becolorful says:

    This is going to be so utterly fantastic. I guess you could always frame a few of the faves until you are finally ready to put them all together. What a great and huge project. I am not worthy. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Motivated Monday. You know I always love to see what you post.
    Pam

  20. Just Jaime says:

    Wow! Pretty!

  21. Wow, what beautiful applique blocks! Keep working on them as a quilt would be so neat!

  22. Truly gorgeous – now that's something I know I could never do!! Very clever indeed! :0)
    I'm so glad I came over from the MIM blog for a close look – they are truly amazing!!xx

  23. Beautiful! It will be absolutely amazing when it is finished! Good luck! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next week!

  25. The Answer Is Chocolate says:

    Is there ANYTHING you can't do? I mean seriously! I can't wait to see the quilling projects! Thanks so much for linking up to this week's BFF Open House!!

  26. Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says:

    Truly….I would be dead before I finished a project of that magnitude! That is amazing and beautiful!

  27. Christie, Describe Happy says:

    That will be truly stunning by the end, but I can see what you mean about taking a long time to do each one. Hope you continue!!

  28. Joni Nickrent says:

    WOW! Beautiful! You are one awesomely talented artist!

  29. Anonymous says:

    omg, these are beautiful.

  30. Vivienne @ the V Spot says:

    So pretty! I'm impressed that you know the state flowers, let alone that this project is so pretty!

  31. chillin with Quillin says:

    Beautiful work, love it! ,Your very talented!!!!!
    Paula

  32. What a gorgeous project! Can't wait to see the final project, no matter how long it takes!

  33. Wow, Suzy this is amazing!! It will be incredible once it is finished.

    The flowers just look so beautiful. You are very talented.

    Michelle :o)

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