Today we are pleased to welcome Barbara Burnham to the QuiltWoman.com blog.Â
Edge-Ruched Flower
Ruching [roo-shing] means “ruffling,†“gathering,†or “pleating.†Ruching techniques have been used on quilts and clothing for centuries. In the early 1800’s, ruching was done for trimming men and women’s clothing, such as on collars and sleeves, and on appliqué quilts to form dimensional flowers. Ruching can be done in various patterns to form appliqué elements, usually by stitching with 90 degree peaks and valleys on fabric strips, circles, or scraps to form various effects.
Taking inspiration from an antique 1840 quilt with unique “edge ruched†flowers, I invite you to follow the instructions in my pattern to make an edge-ruched flower that you can wear as a brooch, or add to a bag, hat, wall hanging or quilt.
   
         
   
        
Choose a matching or contrast fabric; any pattern, stripe, even polka dots. Cut and sew a folded strip of fabric into this easy edge-ruched flower. Simply add a button and pin to make a brooch and fancy up your favorite outfit. (I’ve made several to choose from!)
The pattern includes instructions to finish this small wall quilt with a fancy edge-ruched flower and a bud bursting from its calyx.
     Pattern is available from QuiltWoman.com http://www.quiltwoman.com/patterns/edge-ruched-flower-quilt-pattern-bb-101/
