There's something rather special about magnolias. Their beautiful, elegant flowers are often one of the first signs that spring is on its way, and I thought they would make a lovely addition to my BOW flower collection.
Magnolia branches have a lovely natural shape, with sturdy, gently curving stems and branches that spread outward. Their smooth, woody structure provides a beautiful framework for the large blossoms, while the buds and flowers appear at intervals along the branches. Depending on the variety, the branches may also have glossy green leaves, adding contrast and texture to the soft, often creamy pink or white flowers.
For this block, I've chosen a combination of fabrics in soft pink shades to capture the delicate beauty of magnolia blossoms, along with a mottled light brown fabric for the branches and touches of green for a few leaves to add a little contrast and bring the design to life.
I particularly like how the mottled brown batik gives the branches a little texture and variation. Rather than having a flat, solid color, it creates a more natural appearance, just like the subtle changes in color you see on real tree branches.
For the flowers, I've used just two shades of pink. The deeper pinks help give the blossoms some definition, while a very pale, creamy pink is used to create the inside of the petals. This lighter shade adds depth and helps define the lovely layered shape of the magnolia flower, giving the blossoms a softer, more delicate appearance.
As with all my BOW flower blocks, this is another opportunity to play with fabric colors and textures. You could choose soft blush pinks for a delicate look, stronger pinks for something more dramatic, or even experiment with creamy whites and purples.... and of course, the pattern includes instructions for applique (by hand and machine), embroidery, and quilting.
Whichever colors you choose, when creating a flower with applique, it's important to layer the petals from back to front. Starting with the petals at the back and gradually adding those in front creates a lovely sense of depth and dimension, while ensuring the finished flower has a natural, layered appearance. I've captured this in a series of photos for the first flower.
I love finding interesting facts about the flowers I make. One interesting fact about magnolias is that they are an incredibly ancient group of flowering plants. Fossil evidence suggests that magnolias existed around 95 million years ago, long before bees evolved! Their flowers developed to be pollinated by beetles instead, and their sturdy petals and flower structures are well suited to these rather clumsy visitors.
I love little details like this - there's so much more to a flower than just its pretty appearance!
I hope you enjoy making this Magnolia block as much as I enjoyed creating it. I'd love to hear what colors you're thinking of using. The pattern can be found here: Magnolia BOW Block
