Botanical Beauty block #7

 Welcome back for block 7, Laurel Wreaths.

You will make 2 of these this month.

Laurel leaves were part of my WLL quilt along

back in 2020 and HERE is the blog post

about the original quilt.

Since then, I have been playing with

other layouts. This is one of the layouts

that I have put into repeat as a fabric

design too for that exciting someday...:)

The symbolic history of the laurel is one of 

triumph and achievement since the 

original Greek Olympics and you 

can read more about that HERE if you choose.

I find it a nice easy simple shape especially for 

beginner hand appliquers.

The best way I have found to make them even

is to fold my freezer paper in half, 

trace half the leaf to my freezer paper, 

refold then cut on the traced line. 

This gives me a symmetrical

leaf to trace to fabric.

I hope you find some other fun 

uses for this fun leaf shape!

~Keep Stitching~

Well-Loved Ladies QAL: Laurel Leaves

  Welcome to Block 7.

The photo above is a portion of

a circa 1850 quilt in my collection.
The quilting is cross hatch with 

a FAB red applique' scallop border.

The leaves are done in 

various green prints.

I purchased this from a collector

in Maryland who only collects from

that region so we have a lovely

Mid-Atlantic quilt in 

the style of the day.

Let's talk Laurel Leaf variations.

There really aren't that many

variations as it is very straight 

forward in design.

When one varies it does

so in the shape of the 

red leaves at the end being

lobed or pointed.

The other variation I have 

seen is when 4 more leaves

are added in the center of

the vine crossing in a 

NSEW layout to fill in

that space.

Here are some lovely 

examples at the Quilt Index.

If you love the block so 

much you would like to 

make a full quilt, try

placing blocks on point

for another view.

ASSEMBLY TIPS

Once your vines are in 

place, there are dots at 

the leaf bases to assist

with alignment.

I recommend using a 

large tapestry needle to 

poke through the holes

so that a pencil lead

will easily fit inside

for marking.

Here is a bonus layout

for those that fall head 

over heels in love 

with this simple and

sweet design!

WELL-LOVED LADIES 

SAMPLER PATTERN

FULL PATTERN

Available HERE

Laurel Leaves TEMPLATES ONLY

HERE

My Well-Loved Ladies lecture is

where I showcase the 

variations of designs.

I am excited to announce 

this lecture is now available

in ZOOM format.

Guild program chairs can EMAIL me 

for availability:)

ADDITIONAL READING 

& Eye Candy:)

The links below go into more depth about 

either the history of the block OR 

FAB pictures of variations.

Barbara Brackman will blow you away

with all the variations she has accumulated!!

ENJOY~

Laurus nobilis

Barbara Brackman: Laurel Leaves or Photinia?