Lilies in Moonlight

This was in the UFO pile for a long time. I purchased a pattern at a craft fair and got as far as piecing the background and then misplaced it. I was loathe to create another substitute background. Some of the lilies are back to front due to placing the pattern piece on the wrong side of the fabric but all in all it has been not too bad a pattern to work on. The lilies and leaves are quilted under net (black for the leaves and white for the lilies) - the first time I had used this technique. The idea I think is to blend the variances of fabric choice in the applique. The leaves and flowers were made independent of the background and applied at the end. Of course my common quilting style of circular figure eights in the background brings the background together and allows the lilies and leaves to stand out more against the background

It has been an interesting choice of subject as these lilies are a bit of a rogue in NZ, populating quite large areas where they have escaped from gardens. I do have a clump in my garden but have to make sure I get rid of any seedlings that come up or they will take over. They can be quite invasive although I appreciate in colder climates they are a favourite.