I have literally at least a thousand orchids as orchid growing is my largest hobby. I've wanted to make a quilt with an orchid theme but haven't found any patterns that quite capture what I'm going for. There are a couple of paper pieced ones I've found that don't look all that realistic. I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and design my own some day, but I thought I'd ask if anyone knows of any orchid patterns for foundation pieced or otherwise?

Candadce,,,,
What about this one

http://www.equiltpatterns.com/quiltp...products_id=40

Bill

These are the best ones I've found. You don't even have to paper piece. Sketch and fuse works well too. Worth paying the price though.

Yes, thanks that's the one I found. And it doesn't look much like the real thing, unfortunately. I was hoping there was some secret pattern somewhere I didn't know about. Oh well.

If you take some pictures of the orchids you really love, it would be easy enough to make a pattern for either hand or machine applique. You could start your own pattern line.......

Here's some orchid pics ;> www.elkgroveorchids.net

I don't do hand applique so it would have to be machine. Maybe I'll get motivated one day. But there are so many projects I've still got to do...

Your photos are wonderful. Have you considered photo transfer into large pictures and thread painting over the top. These make terrific panels and would be a great quilt.

Maybe this one? http://www.equiltpatterns.com/quiltp...products_id=46

There are several on this page: http://www.equiltpatterns.com/index.php?cPath=1_9

Thanks. I guess since I have the plants in full bloom in front of me most of the time, I didn't necessarily want photos of them on fabric. I was looking more towards an applique type pattern(that I could do on the machine). It looks like I'm not going to find something. I've started some patterns a few years ago with freehand drawings of some of my orchids. I guess I'd better get cracking!

Are you interested in applique? I just ordered and received this pattern packett Scrappy Bali Orchids # 083; I will be doing this with my niece. I enjoy needle turn applique and have a stash of batiks.
directions also for machine qpplique are included.

http://www.cottagequiltdesigns.info/...Fcategory%3D15

Now that is closer to what I was envisioning! Thanks for the link and be sure to post your finished blocks. The orchid pictured is a Phalaenopsis or Moth orchid.

Your orchids are beautiful. I never knew how many kinds/varities there are.
You are a good photographer and your pics were great. Thanks for sharing.

Hold everything - this is why I love this site! I do all the quilting for Maggie Walker Quilts in Elverson, PA. If you go onto her site and strum through the patterns, You will see a quilt with cats and very realistic orchids. Her quilts are hand appliqued by Leslie Hickland in FL her patterns could also be appliqued "raw edge" or traditional machine applique. We also did a quilt of dogs, fancy chickens, roseville china, redware etc. The quilts are beautiful.
Good luck, Teresa's Quilt Studio
Maggies website is below.
http://www.maggiewalkerdesign.com/quilts/cats/info.html

Thanks much!

Wow...those are great cats and orchids! Thanks so much for the link.

I love her designs but OUCH! A bit pricey for a pattern! Bummer. I would love to get her 'Garden Party' pattern but I can't justify paying $50 for a pattern! Still, I did bookmark the site. She's very inspirational!

Yes, I went back to look at it, it is pricey. I can look to see if I have the pattern but I don't think I do. I will check tonight.
Teresa

beautiful photos.

I think if I were at a place where my budget weren't so tight I might consider it, but I can't even bring myself to tell hubby about the patterns due to the price. I don't want to loose him to the shock! :lol: