How To Make The Sunflower

Make a freehand paper pattern for a large petal. Mine is 2+3/4 inches wide and 4+3/4 inches long, including a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.

Make another paper pattern for the smaller petal. Mine measures 2+1/2 inches wide by 3+1/4 inches long and includes a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (See picture A.) Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.

You will need at least eight petals of each size.

With right sides together, machine stitch down the long side of petal to the point, turn and stitch down the other side, leaving the straight end open. When all the petals are sewn, trim off tip of point and cut little slashes around curved seam. Turn right side out and iron flat. #Hint: I use a bone paper folder with a point to poke into the tip of petal to make the tip as pointed as possible. Hand stitch the opening closed.

When all 16 petals are finished, place a 3-4 inch piece of interfacing on a hard surface. Place the 8 large petals on the interfacing in a circle, overlapping edges. Pin in place when the petals are evenly spaces.

Then, place the 8 smaller petals on top of the larger petals in a circle and pin. The center opening will be about 1+1/2 inches in diameter.

Stitch down the petals in the center of the interfacing with small hidden stitches, using yellow thread to match the yellow petals.

Trim the edges of the interfacing leaving about a half inch or so around stitches.