KathyC9511

I have always admired those of you who have made a dresden plate quilt. One of the ladies in my quilt bee suggested we sew one using 30's retro fabric. We started purchasing fat quarters and began sharing fabric with each another. My quilt top has 20 dresdens sewn to 13" white blocks. I finally finished putting the top together and have now decided to do a flower appliqué border. I am using the same white fabric that the dresdens are sewn to.

I have tried my hand at needle turn appliqué. I like this concept but wonder the wearability on a quilt top that may one day be washed. I know there are many ways to appliqué on a quilt top. I found a pattern for a flower and decided to try using a lightweight Pellon fusible interfacing. I cut a square of 30's fabric and a square of Pellon. I place the right side right side down on the Pellon square. I then used a water solvable pen to trace the flower on the wrong side of the fabric. I reduced the thread length on my sewing machine and sewed all around the flower. After sewing, I used my appliqué scissors to trim close to the sewing line then made a slit in the Pellon so I could turn the flower right side out. I then pressed starched and pressed each flower.

I invision the white border with a green vine that winds all around the four borders with these flowers laced throughout with green leaves. My question to fellow quilting board members, how wide should I make my border? Also should I incorporate two different flower designs or just the one design?

I can either hand stitch them or would using a blanket stitch be acceptable. I would like to enter this quilt in our upcoming quilt show.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.