Block No 2. The Aggies block.

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This pattern is copyright to Pam Holland. It may be produced for private use only.

I love Agapanthus and they signify “summer” to the Australian and New Zealand public.
I was in Queensland on a conference,  It must have been 12 years ago….
As I walked out of the venue, the view in front of me was just as I’ve depicted in the quilt.
A picket fence and framed by Agapanthus.

I think this would look wonderful as an embroidery...

Requirements.:-

PLEASE DON’T PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC.

¼ yard   Fabric for the base of the block.
¼ yard   Fabric for the background (the sky)
¼ yard   Fabric for the fence.
Small amount  Fusible web.
Small amount   Fabric for the leaves and flower heads  of the aggies.
¼ yard stabilizer, thin pelon or something similar.
A Teflon applique mat.
Threads to match the fabrics you have chosen.
Sharp scissors.
A fine black pigment ink pen.
A green, blue, brown pigment ink pen.

You do need to reverse the pattern to trace onto the fusible web.

The Method for making this quilt is machine applique.

If you wish to hand applique, you will need to allow a seam allowance around the applique pieces.

Cut a strip 19” X 2 ½” from the block base fabric.
Cut a strip 19” X 4 ½” from the sky fabric.
Sew the two pieces together with a ¼” seam.

Trace the patterns onto the fusible web. Remember to reverse the pattern before you trace it. - Use a light box or trace against the window.

OK, SO I FORGOT TO REVERSE THE PATTERN FOR THIS ONE... NEVER MIND, IT DOESN'T MATTER ON THIS BLOCK. I DID ON THE REAL QUILT.

4 sets of agapanthus,
2 large fence posts
15 small  fence posts - or if you wish, you can trace the fence as a while piece. I prefer to do it like that.
2 ¼” strips, 16” long for the horizontal planks of the fence.
4 sets of aggy leaves and stems.
Continue in this manner until all the applique pieces have been traced.
Iron the traced pattern onto the fabric you have selected.

Normally we iron the stabilizer to the back of the block, but with this block you need to trace the gate onto the fabric before you stabilize it.

Cut out the appliqué pieces with a smooth stoke of the scissors.

Use a lightbox and when you’ve cut out all the pieces assemble them on the background.
press.
Then you can position and illustrate the gate. It looks difficult, but if you follow the illustration and fill in with small dots.. you will have a remarkable piece.
You can embroider or illustrate the extra pieces on the aggy flower.

This block I illustrated with Derwent Inktense pencils. It’s pigment ink in a pencil !!!!

Now this is why I asked you not to wash your fabric… the sizing assists the ink to set permanently…
All done, now you can begin the applique.

These instructions are for machine applique.

You could choose several methods. Blanket Stitch or Satin stitch, or a combination of both.

I chose satin stitch.
I set the machine on Zig Zag. Stitch width 1.5, Stitch Length .35

Blanket

Stitch width 2.5
Stitch length 2.5

Invisible Stitch
Using smoke monofilament thread.
Stitch width 1.5. Length 1.0

Threads.
50 weight cotton, top and bobbin.

Needle.
sharp 70/10
  

Comments

[sharon]

This is just wonderful Pam! I am saving all of them, have to go back to work, but next year ---I am going to atempt it. Thanks for putting this together, Sharon.

[peggy]

Pam, thank you for designing your BOM and sharing with everyone. I became familiar with you through TQS. thank you, peg in missouri, usa

[Dorothy Karman]

Is block 1 still available? Dorothy in Canberra.