August 20, 1933
Block #2 – The Water Lily
(text)
Block No. 2 of the modernistic flower quilt presents the water lily – the lotus of the east and a flower of legend in every land.
In any of its natural colors this blossom is less vivid than most which will appear on the completed quilt, but like the few similar flowers which will follow, it will present a striking contrast on a black background. On a buff background it probably should be outlined for contrast. Use stitching of a darker shade than the darkest shade of the flower.
Perhaps the best combination will be a light pink for the cup and a darker pink for the four petals upon which the cup rests. The stitching in the heart of the cup is yellow. That on the outside of the cup and on the petals is pink of the outline shade.
The lily pad is green, of course. So is the quadrant at upper left, with yellow stitching.
The inset at lower left is green, with the color bands, from the corner out, red and yellow.
The large circle at upper right is green and the circle is partly covers is red. The spot overlapping the lily pad is red. Of the two almost identical circles, the upper is yellow and the lower green. The remaining spots are yellow.
General Directions follow:
General Instructions for All Blocks After No. 1
Material: Satin, sateen, percale, gingham, etc.
Colors: solid, decided colors, even in lighter shades. The green may be uniform throughout. Colors repeated from the flower proper in design insets should be identical with the colors in the flower. The spots are part of the design and for balance the color suggestions for each should be closely followed. You(r) own taste may lead you to color combinations different but equally good. Avoid, however, the possibility of getting too much of any one color into the quilt. Black flower blocks and buff quilting blocks are recommended. Alternatives are buff for both or black for both.
Method: Preferably applique; allow one -half inch for turning on the blocks, one-quarter inch elsewhere. You can use wax or paint, but only with a light background. In appliqueing use an invisible hemstitch, except for buttonholing on parts too small to handle otherwise.
Further detail appeared with the all-over pattern.
Next week: The narcissus.
Last week: The Tulip
