Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt #2 – Fuchsia

There was a most beautiful display of colors when the Nancy Page Club assembled for their weekly meeting. The crocus block made last week was duly admired. The first part of the Grandmother’s Garden quilt was finished. Cynthia viewed her work with pride.

Alice’s block was the fuchsia. She had the buff and white basket block pieced; the white triangle at the top was pieced in place and on it was appliqued the buff handle. They had decided after making the first block that it was easier to place the flowers correctly If the handle was appliqued first.

They cut out the pattern as given In today’s paper, pasted it to a backing of light weight cardboard or tag-board and dried it under pressure. When dried the pattern was cut.

For the outer part of the fuchsia Nancy suggested rich purple. This was cut in one piece. The centre of deep rose was also cut in one piece as indicated by the dotted line. This was pinned in place later and basted before the purple was laid over it. In cutting material Nancy cautioned them about allowing a 1/4-inch for turned in edges.

The leaves and stems were of green material. They were careful to use fast color gingham. In every case they washed a piece of the material first to see whether it was fast color.

The stems were cut from bias piece. The stem was cut twice as wide as pattern: Raw edges were folded back until they met at centre of material. They were basted and later pressed in place.

To get well turned back edges a line of fine running stitches was put in close to edge of each piece of material. The cloth was laid on ironing board and cardboard pattern laid on.

The edges were drawn over smoothly by means of running stitch. A warm iron pressed cloth Into exact shape of pattern. Stitches were clipped and pattern removed.

Flowers and leaves were pinned and basted in place as shown in small basket insert. Then they were stitched in place with invisible slanting hemming stitch.

Some of the members wanted to buttonhole the pieces, others wanted to use blanket stitch. Nancy said either one could be used but since they were going to quilt the pattern following the outlines it seemed best to use hemming stitch.

Fast colored embroidery cotton was used to outline stamens. Kensington, or outline stitch, and satin stitch were employed.

As they sewed busily Nancy told them the story of the fuchsia. As Christ walked to the hill where He was crucified drops of blood fell from His thorn-crowned brow. As they fell, a beautiful flower with crimson heart and wrapping of purple, His robe of royalty sprang up. Because they grew in the shadow of the cross they tremble and quiver in any breeze as if they were in agony.

When the story was finished they were silent for a moment. Then “What flower do we make next week, Nancy?” “Perhaps you can guess when I tell you that I want you to come prepared to answer roll call with a quotation about a rose.”

Edmonton Journal
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada08 Dec 1928, Sat  •  Page 39

Last week – The Crocus

Next week – The Rose