Toni's Garden Sew-Along Block 3

Howdy folks, it's time for Block 3 of the sew-along!
You can download the files here.

I was thinking of 'billy buttons' when I made this block, but I took a little artistic license with them. I've got a thing for yellow fabric at the moment, everything must be yellow! 
I adore 'billies' but have a great deal of trouble growing them - it gets very humid here and they prefer a drier climate.

I also thought of yellow zinnias and calendulas. We normally have a garden full of zinnias, but this year we've had 80% (and over) humidity for so long they've been consumed by powdery mildew. I think I'll have to remove the remaining few from the garden this weekend. I'll be glad when Summer (we didn't have a Spring) is past and the cooler Autumn weather arrives.

I have a few tips for Block 3. Firstly, I've added a stem template. A lot of you weren't sure about the method I was using for my stems and are worried about the seam bulk. So now you can choose whether you would prefer to try my way, or fuse the stems in the usual fusible manner.

When you're fusing the stems for Block 3 (either method), use the following photographs as a guide. Pin the stems and applique in place before you fuse it to the block. Overlap the bottom of the block and make sure the flower heads are within the seam margins - otherwise they'll get caught, and cut off, in the seams.

Once you're happy with the position of the applique, fuse it in place, then trim the stems to match the edge of the fabric.

If you are making the stems my way, you can trim the excess fabric bulk by carefully folding back the seams to expose the stem (see the photos below). Once you have exposed the stem, use a pair of sharp scissors to carefully, and I mean very carefully, trim away the excess fabric. I've just trimmed one side of the stem (the side without the fusible webbing on it) and this has allowed the seam to sit flat. Leave a little bit of stem fabric remaining so the stems don't fray away, and don't cut into the seams.

This week's critters from the garden are rainbow lorikeets, king parrots, muppets (tawny frogmouths), rhino beetles, water dragons, and butterflies. Enjoy! toni xx