Lotus Blossom

Fusible appliqué makes this a fast and easy project for a free afternoon.

MATERIALS

• 1 (5") square each dark purple

and medium blue/purple batik* • 1 fat eighth cream batik* • 1 fat quarter light purple batik* • 1/4 yard light green batik* • 3/8 yard blue batik* • 7/8 yard light aqua/green batik* • Backing to size • Batting to size* • Thread* • 18 (1/4") blue decorative beads • 1 yard 18"-wide fusible web* • Fabric glue • Lightweight paper at least

25" square • Basic sewing tools and supplies *Drizzle and White Baker’s Dozen Sprinkles batiks from Island Batik; Sulky PolyLite and Blendables threads; Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 and Warm Blend batting from The Warm Company used to make sample.

CUTTING

Prepare pieces for fusible appliqué as per the motif pattern and referring to Raw-Edge Fusible Appliqué on page 32. Mark the design center as indicated on pattern. Prepare a template for the background circle referring to Preparing a Circle Template on page 34.

From blue batik:

• Cut 11/4"-wide bias strips to total 90" when joined.

From aqua/green batik:

• Cut a 231/2"-diameter background circle using prepared circle template.

COMPLETING THE APPLIQUÉ

1. Fold the background circle in quarters and crease to mark the center as shown in Figure 1.

2. Remove paper backing from the small petal pieces. Center and fuse one small petal to each large petal, aligning straight bottom edges as shown in Figure 2.

3. Topstitch around each small petal using thread to match fabric and a machine blanket, zigzag or satin stitch as desired referring to Figure 3. Note: The paper backing is still on the large petal. 4.

Remove backing paper from all pieces. Place a pin in the center of the small and large circle pieces. Center and pin the large circle on the background. 5. Carefully lay out the leaves and flower petals lifting the large circle to tuck the ends under as shown in the full-size Lotus Motif pattern and referring to Figure 4. Add the small circle on top and pin pieces in place to secure.

6. When satisfied with the arrangement, fuse shapes in place, removing pins as you go.

7. Topstitch around each shape as in step 3 to complete the appliqué.

COMPLETING THE TOPPER

1. Create a quilt sandwich referring to Quilting Basics on page 110.

2. Quilt as desired. Trim edges even with top.

3. Prepare bias binding. Press one long edge of the binding 1/4" to the wrong side.