I have always admired Arctotis flowers with their silver grey leaves. They typically have daisy-like flowers with prominent central discs surrounded by colorful petals. The petals can be various shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, or purple and a common name for it is African Daisy.
Apparently there are over 40 different species and the photo I took was of a pink Arctotis. I've personally seen them in many shades of red, pink, orange, and gold but my block is based on the photo so the petals will be pink.
![pink arctotis flower photo](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-photo1.jpg)
Arctotis flower
Here is another view of Arctotis. I always find it best to take several angles when creating a quilt.
![More arctotis flowers](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-photo2.jpg)
More Arctotis flowers
I certainly had fun making this block, right from drawing the templates on the computer to cutting out each shape and stitching. The biggest problem I had to say was trying to select the threads for the bluey-green leaves. There seems to be a gap in my thread colors! My blues were too blue and my greens were too green. The greys were just not good at all.
![thread selection for my Arctotis applique block](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-thread-selection1.jpg)
Trying to select good leaf threads
Tip on selecting threads: Unravel the thread a little way it is much easier to see if a thread is suitable by laying one strand across the applique fabric.
I finally settled on a light pale greenish grey that was almost identical to my lightest leaf fabric just a little lighter. (I normally try for a slightly darker thread but I was very limited and this seemed to work perfectly). I also selected a dark blue and dark green - both worked well. The pinks and yellows were not a problem in selecting.
![Final thread selection for Arctotis flower block](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-thread-selection.jpg)
My thread selection
I did additional stitching on this flower to make it look more realistic with darker pink stitches in the center and a fuzzy yellow middle.
![stitching adds definition to the flower](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-smallflower.jpg)
Stitching
I made two flowers for this block and here is how it finished up.
![Arctotis flower block completed](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0443/0253/2763/files/arctotis-300.jpg)
Arctotis flower block
I had so much fun with this flower block that I decided to make a second one - check back next week to see how I made it different and how I simplified the pattern.
This design is available for download, you'll find more details here: Arctotis Block download