Constructing country roses...

OK...I figured out how to build a country rose.  Here are the steps:

1)  Stop the procrastination and being a fraidy cat and just draw, damn it (the worst that can happen is that it will not look like a rose):

2)  Trace the rose onto freezer paper (don't reverse pattern), number petals, mark piece edges that tuck under others with little dash marks, then cut apart carefully with scissors.  (It's just like making a tiny jigsaw puzzle!)

 

3)  Choose fabrics that go from dark to light (outer petals to center).

 

4)  Count initial fabric choices.  Now count the actual number of freezer paper petals made in step #2 (don't count leaves...).  Okay...now count your initial fabric choices again.  Damn...now eliminate fabrics until the # of petals = the # of fabrics chosen  (this is the most painful step for me...).

 

5)  Arrange fabrics roughly in the shape of your rose to see if the color grade works.  If you like it, press the corresponding pattern to the RIGHT side.  Cut out pieces leaving an extra scant 1/8 inch on undashed edges, and an extra scant 1/4 inch on the dashed edges.

 

6)  Turn under edges using the glue stick applique method (see tutorial on the toolbar, above).

7)  Starting in the center, use tiny dots of Roxanne's Glue Baste ("dot, dot, not a lot") to layer pieces.  Make sure dots of glue are placed so that they won't hinder using a needle later.  I find pattern weights VERY useful during this step and I am handling the tiny pieces with my long tweezers instead of my clumsy fingers.  I am working right over my paper pattern.  If I am using TINY drops of glue, I will NOT be gluing my rose to the paper.   :o)

 

8)  Add connected leaves.

 

9)  Wow...that wasn't so bad (pat yourself oh the back...).

 

  
10)  When the Roxanne's Glue baste dries, using tweezers, gently peel and remove papers (these can be used again for additional roses).

 

11)  Do happy dance.

 

12)  I hand applique as much of this as I can, with silk thread, BEFORE I glue baste the entire rose in place on my background.  That way I am only dealing with the bulky background for stitching the outside edges.  

In stitches,

Teresa  :o)