Barbara Wade

I made a log Cabin throw that has some applique between the blocks. Can anone tell me how you make a stem, and sew it down to add a flower at the end of the stem, with leaves, i got the flower and leaves but have no idea on the stem...Help....

Saphire

draw your stem line on your work. cut bias strips 1 1/2" wide from your stem fabric. fold the stem fabric in half -wrong sides together (like binding) and press. pin your raw edges down your drawn guideline. Sew 1/4 " from the raw edge. Fold the folded edge over your sewing line. Either hand or machine sew your folded edge.

Now, please test this first and adjust your cut width according to how it will work best for you. I am explaining this from memory and it's been a while since I did this. This is how I saw Eleanor Burns do it on TV one time.

TanyaL

If you can find the right color and the size of single fold bias tape is right use that, or use a ribbon. Ribbon are especially pretty as stems, just use very small stitches along the edges to gather the inside of curves. Make the shape before you sew them down. Grograin ribbon will last longer than the rest of your quilt top! Many quilters embroider the stems instead of appliquing them.

Peckish

My method is similar to Saphire's, except I don't bother with sewing the bias strip inside out, then turning it right side out. I stitch it right side out (wrong sides together), trim the seam allowance to 1/8", and press it flat with the seam hidden on the bottom. Then I pin or glue baste it to the background.

You can machine stitch it with a straight stitch, buttonhole stitch, or hand-applique it in place.

irishrose

Perfect timing. I will need these directions tomorrow. thank you. I like the folded bias one. I can see that you sew on one edge, but do you sew the other side too just to keep the design symmetical?

TanyaL

You have to sew both edges

CarrieC

WOW thank you all for some of these suggestions! I've always done the bias cut, fold, sew, turn right side etc. Some of these methods should work GREAT and help me like stems better!

QuiltnNan

this is the way i do it

Prism99

There are multiple ways of doing stems. My favorite method is to use a Clover bias tape maker. I heavily starch the fabric before cutting and then cut stems on the bias. I run a pointed end through the Clover tool to get it started, place my iron on top of the fabric coming out, and iron the folds as they come out of the tool. Fast, easy, and works great for me. When getting ready to sew on (I use invisible machine applique methods), I pin all the inner curves first to keep them flat; the bias stretches to fill out the outer curves. I would typically applique the leaves in place first, then do both sides of the stem (covering the leaf ends), and then applique the flower last to cover the raw end of the stem.

Rose_P

Prism99, what width of fabric do you start with, and which size of bias tape maker do you use, please?