Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt #10 – Japanese Balloon Flower

When the club members entered Edna’s home they found gay balloons floating around. They wondered whether she thought she was having a children’s party, until she explained that the flower for the week was the balloon flower.

Each member brought out her pieced basket block with the basket handle appliqued to upper triangle of white which completed the tenth basket block. While they were pasting the newspaper pattern on to tag-board or light weight cardboard, using library paste, and putting the pattern away to dry under pressure they decided that, this flower was called by its name because the buds looked just like Japanese lanterns, which open in balloon fashion. They were surprised to learn that deep blue was best to use for this flower. Nancy made her flowers and buds of a striped blue and white fast gingham which was left over from one of her niece’s dresses.

The centre of the flower was embroidered in fast color yellow embroidery cotton. So were the stamens. In embroidering the centre the satin stitch was used. The outline stitch which made the stamens was finished with a French knot.

The whole flower was cut in one piece and that made it necessary to outline quite heavily the line which marks the separation of the petals. After the paper pattern was dry It was cut into parts. Then these were laid on cloth. One quarter inch for turning under was made on leaves, buds, and flowers. The calyx of the leaf was cut separately from the stem. Then the edges were folded back on the under side until they met and basted in place. Later they were pressed.

Now following the insert chart the pieces were placed in position within the space enclosed by handle. They were basted and then held down with fine invisible, slanting hemming stitches.

Edmonton Journal
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada02 Feb 1929, Sat  •  Page 33

Last Week: Tiger Lily

Next week: Shooting Star

Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt