It never ceases to amaze me how one simple touch of detail can totally transform an applique project.  I always feel like I have this amazing secret that has somehow gone undiscovered in this current age of quilting where glue is king.  One of the reasons I share so openly about my techniques is that I feel like we all have been lectured to ad nauseum that traditional techniques are too time consuming, not art, and definitely not trendy.  Whaaaaat? 

I feel like the person at the back of the room at a crowded media event desperately shouting and jumping up and down with my hand in the air frantically trying to tell everyone it really is not that complicated or boring and the results are far superior than what glue can produce! And, hello, I beg to differ on the “traditional is not art” issue too.  I always seem to get shouted down much to my dismay. But here on my blog,  I can provide an ‘underground resistance’ source for traditional techniques that work for me and hopefully for you too.   Who knew being a traditional quilter would label me as a rebel?  😉

So having said that,  back to the Clematis……….

To summarize:

*Only 13 pieces to applique
*Basic beginner level overlapping
*Beginner/basic embroidery stitches: The stem stitch and the Turkey stitch (or Ghiordes knot)
*three days (off and on) to complete

Here is where we ended with the last post:

Now I will add the last detail to make the Clematis come to life.  I do love my little tool box of fun stitches.  In this case, the Turkey stitch.  Its name is not derived from some association with a gobble gobble turkey, but from a Turkish rug knotting stitch.  It can also be known as a Ghiordes knot. 

I have created the vein pattern in the petals the same way I did with the leaves with only one difference.  Instead of using the DMC floss, I used regular sewing weight thread and a bit longer stem stitch.  This creates a more delicate lightweight look that flower petals have.  The floss, even with one strand, would have looked heavy handed.  In the up close photos scale tends be blown out of proportion so keep that in mind.

The addition of the first step of the Turkey stitch to the center:

After cutting, trimming and brushing the loops:

So this took me all of but, what, 20 minutes?  just look at the transformation.  To glue this stuff on (even that Angelina stuff) would have taken longer and looked, well….,  It is best I don’t go there.  I already get myself into too much trouble with my opinions.  LOL

Next up, the quilted finished piece.  The pattern for this block and instructions for the Turkey stitch will be in my book that is to be out next year (now in months) unless it hits the cutting room floor during editing.  If it does, I will list it here on my blog.

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