Flowers From My Garden Block #1 -Part IV

You're all probably itching to finish this block, so let's get started. This post will cover all of Block #1's embroidery embellishments. 

You will need:

• Perle cotton, size 12 in colors that match and compliment your wool
• Chenille needle, size #24
• Chalk pencil
• Steam iron

1. Position A1, B1, C1, D1 and E1 on the corresponding flowers.

2. Fuse in place using steam.

3. Flowers D & E 

• Use a contrasting thread (I used a variegated blue) to chain stitch a line down the center of each of the petals of D1 and E1.

• Fuse D2, D3, E2 and E3 to flowers D and E.

• Beginning with flower D, use the same color thread that you used to make the chain stitch to stitch a cross stitch over D3 (the smallest flower center).
• Stitch two small tacking stitches over the center of the cross. Stitch another tacking stitch perpendicular to the first two stitches.

• Whip stitch D2 in place.

• Use a contrasting thread (I used a tweed green) to stitch four pairs of straight stitches radiating from the flower center (D3) and ending at the edge of D2.

• Repeat the steps with flower E.

4. Flowers A - C

• Stitch a buttonhole stitch around A1, B1, and C1.

• Position A2, B2, and C2 on each flower and fuse in place using steam.
• Whip stitch in place.
• Stitch five french knots on A2 and C2.
• Stitch three french knots on B2.

• Stitch a modified (no stem) fan stitch on each petal of flowers A-C, using the same thread that was used for the blanket stitch. 

5. Leaves 1-4

• Draw the center veins of each leaf with a chalk pencil. Back stitch over the lines using a contrasting thread (I used a green tweed).
• Draw the side veins and stitch a straight stitch over the lines.

6. Leaves 5-7

• Position the leaves on the stems of flowers D and E (use the layout for placement help). Fuse in place using steam.

• Use a contrasting thread to stitch cross stitches down the center seam of each leaf.

• Use the same thread to whip stitch the outside edges of each leaf.

7. Butterfly

• Position the butterfly wings and body next to flower D (use the layout as your guide). Fuse in place.

• Whip stitch the butterfly body and wings.
• Position the wing spots and fuse in place.
• Whip stitch the spots.
• Draw two chalk circles on the bottom wings.

• Use the same thread used to whip stitch the body to stitch a wheel stitch over the circle.

• Draw the antennae with a chalk pencil.
• Stem stitch over the line using a dark blue or grey thread. 
• Stitch a french knot on the end of each antennae.

• Use straight stitches to make stripes on the body (see layout for positioning).

• Draw the path of the butterfly and use a running stitch to stitch over the line.

Voile! The block is complete!

Happy Stitching!