Dragonflies & Daisies
32” x 32”
Designed by Heidi
Pridemore
Fall is upon us and for
people in Arizona that means the end to the100 degree days. Yah! So Fall in AZ
can feel a lot more like spring does everywhere
else. So this month to celebrate the cooler weather I decided to design a
whimsical dragonfly table topper. I used a collection called Dragonfly Dance
from Benartex Fabrics. This fabric has beautiful gold details to add elegance
to the stunning artwork. I used my GO!
Qube Specialty Set-Serendipity by Edyta Sitar to make the applique design and the pieced border.
The pattern for this
month’s project is free from The Whimsical Workshop. You can download the free
pattern at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com along with our past free patterns. We have also included
traditional cutting instructions for this project in the pattern too.
Here are all the dies I
used for this project. I list each piece on the pattern for die-cutting and
also include templates for traditional cutting. I also wanted to include an
image of the die with the fabrics on top of the shapes that we are using for
this project. For the die-cut shapes, I back my fabric with fusible web and cut
pieces larger that the shape. Then I die-cut the shapes I need for my project.
When I design a pattern for fusible
applique, I always try to include a placement drawing. You can use the
placement drawing and an applique pressing sheet to assemble the pieces of the
applique before positioning them on the background. An Applique pressing sheet
is a Teflon coated sheet that keeps the fusible web from sticking to it. This
means you can arrange the shapes on the sheet and iron them together. Any where
the fusible web touches fabric, they will stick together and any where it
touches the applique pressing sheet you can pull it off and the webbing will
stay on the fabric.
A quick tip to remove the backing from
the fusible web backed shapes, use a straight pin to scratch the paper backing
on the webbing. This will create a crack and peel on the back of the shape and
it is easier to remove the paper.
Above I am showing you
how you can see the placement draw through the applique pressing sheet. I
assemble one daisy at a time on the sheet and then I move the placement drawing
under the applique pressing sheet to assemble the next flower. I continue until
I run out of room. Then I peel off each completed shape.
To position each daisy on
a corner square, I fold the square in half in both directions and press to
create a center point. I use these lines to center and press the daisy in
place.
For the center bouquet, I
start with the stems and leaves and press them in place on the applique
pressing sheet to hold the in place and then add the daisies to the top. Once
the bouquet is complete it is ready to add to the center block with the
dragonflies as shown below.
Once you have all the
shapes pressed to the background squares, you will need to finish the edges
with a decorative stitch along the raw edges for this project I use an olive
green thread on everything to make them pop.
Here is the quilt finished
and ready to quilt. I hope you enjoy this month’s project. I look forward to
using my topper to decorate our table after Halloween. Happy Fall!
Make sure to visit my
blog each month where I will share with you some tips and tricks on cutting and
assembling of the project of the month along with posting the free pattern on
our website The Whimsical Workshop You
can also see our pattern and post at www.accuquilt.com
Until next time…..
Heidi
