It is still winter here in Vienna but on my RailFence block the tulips are blooming. I really love the feeling of spring of these flowers and on the other hand how much they changed the block.

First of all I zig-zag-stitched all around the block to prevent fraying. I used a narrow stitch so I don’t have to cut it away as it will end up in the seam allowances.

You can print out the original pdf pattern for the tulips here (tulips) or you can simply sketch your own. It’s not difficult and you make the appliqué truly your own.

Appliqué the flowers in your favorite method. I did needle-turn appliqué as I like hand sewing. But fusing and/or satin stitching will also look very good.

I recommend using 2 different greens for the stems (as one stem is crossing the other ones) and 3 different shades of your chosen color for the flowers.

I numbered the sequence of appliquéing in the flowers F1 – F3 and in the stems and leaves S1 – S5.

One important fact. Flowers are a living thing – they are not exactely symmetrical and not every leaf or petal is pointy. They just are as they grow. So don’t stress yourself out over really skinny tips of the leaves or the exact width of the stem. Differences and variations are everywhere in nature.

Have fun appliquéing the flowers. And please comment below with a link to your tulip block so that I can have a look at yours.

I’m linking this post to Nina-Marie Sayre’s Off the Wall Friday and to Kathy’s Slow Sunday Stitching.