Hi, welcome to my space. I'm happy to be sharing my Fleur de Lei block with you.
I love all types of hand sewing and needlework, especially needleturn applique. It's the perfect project to keep tucked away in a bag for long plane rides, train rides across Europe, or long waits at the dentist office. The mix of Hawaiian applique style and French fleur de lis design in this block makes it easy for me to daydream that I am sitting on a beach in Hawaii or at a cafe in Paris while sitting at my daughter's dance studio and music lessons. This Fleur de Lei block is a little bit French and a little bit Hawaiian. I used the Hawaiian applique technique with the well-known French Fleur de Lis motif. I like learning about techniques and traditions from around the world and then making them my own.
Go to The Splendid Sampler website to get your own copy of the pattern.
I like this design because it includes inside curves, outside curves, inside points, and outside points. If you can stitch this little block you will be able to handle any applique design!
If you have trouble with needle turn applique, this technique is often helpful for beginners.
First, trace the design onto freezer paper, cut, press onto the rights side of the fabric that will be appliqued to the background.
Next, trim the fabric leaving a scant 1/4'' seam allowance around the paper. Bast to the background fabric as shown below with basting stitches about 1/4'' from the edge of the paper.
As you stitch, the freezer paper should help hold the fabric in place and make it easier to fold right at the edge of the paper. With the tip of the needle, flip the seam allowance under, making it fold right at the edge of the paper. Bring the needle up from teh back and just catch the edge of the fold. While stitching, watch the area in front o fthe needle and make sure the fold is even with the edge of the paper just enough for the next stitch. Put the needle down through the backing fabric right next to where you brought the needle up. Rock your hand back and bring the needle up just through the fold of the applique fabric about 1/16'' away. (I am left handed so the photo shows a left hand stitcher) Use the needle to turn the next small section and continue stitching.
Don't try to fold under the fabric far ahead of where you are stitching. Think about only one stitch at a time. When you are finished, remove the basting stitches and the freezer paper. With practice, you may be able to baste the fabrics together and stitch without using the freezer paper.
Here's my latest version of the block.
I used Jeni Baker's lined drawstring bag pattern in Shea Henderson's book, School of Sewing and made a bag!
If you are new to my website, have a look around.
I'm a teacher and my classes include hand applique, tiny piecing, intuitive piecing, string piecing, and more.
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I'm also working on a series of 16'' quilts inspired by the experiences of someone I love and care about who is in an abusive relationship. You can read more about them here.
