I think the first time someone dreamed about fairies, it must have been after watching a graceful dragonfly flit about a garden. Their translucent wings, and their tendency to dart about, almost disappearing at times, has fairy written all over them! I adore dragonflies 🙂
Over the years I’ve had many gardens in my yard, all of them named. One of my favorite gardens, and hardest to maintain, was my Dragonfly Garden. Unfortunately, as the arthritis in my back worsens, I’ve found I’ve had to cut back on how much gardening I can do. This spring we hired landscapers to come in and help us make our yard more manageable. Trust me, there is still plenty I can do… we’ve just gotten the gardens to be easier for me to tend. Perhaps the saddest part to me was the removal of the Dragonfly Garden. In it’s place, however, we put in a wonderful campfire pit, including a circle of tree stumps, which will probably be used by fairies when we are not around! All’s well 🙂
As an ode to my Dragonfly Garden, I created our Dragonfly Applique Block. Like all of our appliques, it was designed to fit on a 6″ x 6″ block, but it can be enlarged or reduced to meet your needs. Enjoy!
The pattern for the Dragonfly Applique Block can be found HERE.
The tutorial on How to Enlarge and Reduce can be found HERE.
The tutorial on How to Cut Out Felt can be found HERE.
The Stitching Glossary can be found HERE.
DIRECTIONS – Refer to pattern and photo for applique placements and cutting instructions.
Make a copy of the pattern.
EDIT: It was very accurately pointed out to me that dragonflies do not have antenna. DOH! You would think with all the time I spend with them in the garden, it would have been obvious when I sat down to make one, but put me at the craft table and anything is possible! I don’t think I have the heart to “pull” the antenna off my dragonfly now! So… if you do make these… they do not have antenna… but I leave that to you! BTW… thanks Anne, I count on you guys to keep me on my toes! ~Kimara~
Cut out felt. Transfer any embroidery markings.
Using a blanket stitch, sew leaf to block using 3 strands floss.
Using a stem stitch, add detail to leaf using 6 strands floss.
Using a running stitch, sew large wings to block using 2 strands floss.
Using a running stitch, sew small wings to block using 2 strands floss.
Using a running stitch, sew body to block using 2 strands floss.
Using a stem stitch, add wing detail and antenna using 6 strands floss.
Using a stem stitch, add vines using 6 strands floss.
Using a straight stitch, add markings to body using 6 strands floss.
French knot tiny flowers using 6 strands floss.
PHOTO: 3-1-2010
