Celtic Applique Lily Block

Another block from the Lynne Edwards book, which she calls Celtic Applique, but I've decided its a lily. 

Another hand stitched block, this was a challenge for me. I am not that good at applique so this one tested me a bit despite its simplicity.   So far this is one of my favourite blocks though and I did enjoy doing it. 

I figured I'd easily be able to cheat and just use the stick on Clover brand quarter inch bias tape.   However, those curves are small and I just could NOT get that stuff to go around the corners in a way that I was satisfied with. The book says to make your own bias strips, by cutting three quarter inch strips of bias, then seaming them, then pressing them over bias bars (metal bars of a set width, in this case quarter inch) with the seam allowance placed so when pressed the seam allowance is on the underside.  Which is all very well if you have a set of bias bars just sat in the cupboard at 7pm on a Sunday....but I didn't. 

My mum is a prolific quilter.  Turns out, she had a set of bias bars so I was able to borrow those to make the bias, and all was well in the end.  Book says to pin the bias in place, a bit at a time and sew as you go.  But I put it all on in one go, then tacked up the centre of all the pieces so I could sit and sew it on permanently a bit at a time without stabbing myself repeatedly with stray pins.  

The flower and the leaves are traced onto Bondaweb (WonderUnder) and then stuck to the fabric, cut out (no seam allowance) and stuck on the background fabric in the correct place. Which is determined by tracing the entire design onto the background fabric using dressmakers carbon and a leadless pencil (or other implement that will make a fine line). 

The floral fabric used for the lily flower is rather special.  It belonged to my gran.  I think it was either part of some very lightweight window curtains, or the skirt off one of these kidney shaped dressing tables with a frill and a glass top.  I used most of it to trim a skirt when I was about seventeen and I think I have just enough of it left to make one more block for the quilt out of it.

The leaf fabric was..... another left over jelly roll strip.... :)