Playful Petals

Today I'm thrilled to be the next stop on Corey Yoder of Little Miss Shabby's blog tour celebrating her new book, Playful Petals. I first "met" (virtually of course!) Corey in my very first online quilting bee back in 2009. I was pretty new to quilting and I couldn't believe I was invited to be in a bee. It didn't take me long to realize Corey was amazing. I mean, REALLY, SUPER talented. Everything she made was to the highest quality. I could have been intimidated. Honestly, I was. But I also was motivated to try harder and do my best. I tell you this story because when I found out Corey had a book coming out, there was NO doubt in my mind it would be the highest quality designs and patterns. I was not disappointed.

Playful Petals by Corey Yoder : Fresh Lemons Quilts

Ok, another revelation. I didn't know Petals were a thing. :) I've seen the shape before, and I've appliquéd a bit, but the entire Petal premise of this book was new to me. I love trying new things so this has been exciting.

Playful Petals is a collection of 9 quilt projects and 9 "mini" projects that accompany each quilt (think pillows), all of which use appliquéd Petals in different ways. Corey starts out the book with some really great information on appliqué basics (a must read), piecing, fabric, and finishing. (about 30 pages) The book then moves on to the projects.

Playful Petals Starflower : Fresh Lemons Quilts

I really loved so many of the patterns in this book. I decided to make the mini version of the Starflower Quilt. Here's the full version:

And here's the mini version:

Playful Petals Starflower Mini Quilt : Fresh Lemons Quilts

Rather than make a pillow, I decided on a mini quilt to begin a mini quilt wall in my sewing room. That is, if my daughter doesn't see it and snatch it for her dolls first. I followed Corey's appliqué instructions in the book and easily put my quilt top together.

I stitched a blanket stitch around the petals (stitch #720 on my Bernina 750QE). I am the s-l-o-w-e-s-t blanket stitch stitcher in town. I used some of that new Aurifil Thread from the Favorite Things box!

I quilted a free motion meandering in the white background space. I love the texture it gave the quilt, combined with the appliqué. I quilted straight lines, 1/4" apart in the outer wide turquoise border. I finished it off with a light gray plus print for the binding, from Cotton + Steel. I love how it turned out! Big thanks to Corey for once again motivating me to try something new. :)

Playful Petals Blog Hop by Corey Yoder : Fresh Lemons Quilts

You can keep up with more projects from Playful Petals on the below blogs:

September 15: Amy @ Stitchery Dickery Dock September 16: Melissa @ Happy Quilting September 17: Jessica @ Quilty Habit September 18: Faith @ Fresh Lemons Quilts - Me! September 19: Amy @ Diary of a Quilter September 22: Sherri @ A Quilting Life September 23: Amber @ Gigi’s Thimble September 24: Lori @ Bee in My Bonnet September 25: Amanda @ Crazy Mom Quilts September 26: Lee @ Freshly Pieced

The blog tour will end with a giveaway on Corey's blog, Little Miss Shabby.