Sunflowers Under Construction

I so thoroughly enjoyed the series of foot-square sunflower quilts begun in 2012 that you can imagine my delight in learning that the common sunflower is native to California. I’ve launched into a new piece featuring the sunflower but this one will be much larger — I’m envisioning at least 5′ x 2′. I enjoy working in this vertical configuration and this size will allow me more experimentation with design and quilting flourish.

I’ve chosen a lovely blue batik as background with a peach batik to back the sunflower scraps. The application of fabrics is done by hand applique. Even though batik fabrics are more difficult to needle, I like this aesthetic better than the machine option.

I tried piecing on the first sunflower scrap piece and just didn’t like the interruption of the seam lines. With hand applique I have an uninterrupted background that will allow my quilting design to flow more easily.

After fusing freezer-wrap paper to the back of the scrap areas, I’m using a blue water-soluble pen to mark the large quilting designs that will be stitched in navy-blue thread. I’ve been using freezer wrap for so many years and in so many ways that I cannot imagine life without it! It’s simply the perfect tool to stabilize this large area while I mark it. Only these large designs will be marked. When I’m done quilting these designs, the top will be stabilized and I can relax into free-motion quilting smaller designs that will fill the entire top. There will be thread color changes and beads. Stay tuned!

See the rest of the foot-square sunflower scrap pieces — all part of my Native California Plant series — here, here, here and here.