Sunny Day Tulip Tutorial

Hello! Well, I sure thought I would whip up this tutorial in no time yesterday! after wrangling and tangling with technology, my hopes of a speedy post were dashed! Here is part one to our Sunny Day Tulip Tutorial! This should help you get started!

Let's Begin:

First, print out the tulip template and transfer the templates to quilters template plastic or cardboard.Tulip Template 

The outside petals of my tulip are scrappy! I simply cut strips anywhere from 1" to about 1.5 inches wide and about 12" in length. You can really make your strips as long as you like, I just found 12" to be more manageable. The width of the strips is more crucial as you don't want the strips to be too wide or your petals won't appear pieced. You may also choose to piece a larger segment of strips, which will allow you to cut out several tulips.

The center petal is a solid fabric. I chose gingham, but dots or stripes would work as well!

Trace the petal outline on your fabric with a Frixion pen or your favorite marking pen. 

 

Next cut out the tulip leaving a generous 1/8" beyond the drawn line. You may need to clip close to the drawn line in the dip "V" area in the middle of the tulip shape.  

For the stem and leaves, I used a green gingham or a green floral fabric. I cut my stem 1/2" wide and about 4.5" long. Since I am using needle-turn applique, I simply marked both sides of my stem with an 1/8" seam allowance to turn under. You may choose to make your stems wider, use ric-rac, or make a stem using a bias bar so there is no need for turning under. 

I used this amazing pink Cross Stitch Sampler by Atsuko Matsuyama for my background! The pink and ivory colorways make scrumptious backgrounds! 

My background square in cut 6.5" square.  Finger press the center (on the diagonal).

Place the stem first on the finger pressed line. Hold the stem in place using very small amounts of  basting glue or applique pins. Stitch in place. Its much easier to hide your applique stitches if you match your thread to the color of the applique. If your applique is multi colored, use a light grey colored thread. 

 

Now you are ready to add your tulip! Again hold the tulip in place with small dabs of glue or applique pins. Be sure to keep the glue out of the seam allowance which will be turned under. 

The tips of the petals are usually an area that is a little more difficult to applique. I would suggest applique up to one side of the tip of the petal and as you get very close to the tip, turn the tip under to the marked line and then turn the opposite side of the tip under. This will maintain the point at the tip of the petal. Take a few very small applique stitches close together at the tip. The "V" or dip in the center of the tulip shape isn't as crucial as it will be covered by the center petal.

 

For the leaves, I simply hand cut shapes and, again, used needle-turn applique. You can also use a blanket stitch to applique the shapes if needle-turn is not comfortable. I find needleturn a quick and comfortable technique. 

I will add a second part to this tutorial with more tips on applying the shapes!

Have fun! Be sure to use the hashtag #sunnydaytulip

Mary xx