I think the LOVE block in this project would be so pretty displayed in lots of little patterns where a small stitchery is needed. I often get asked "how do you prepare those tiny little pieces of applique?" so this afternoon, needing a distraction from many hours of pattern writing and the winding down of another migraine, I thought I'd re-make the Love block as a small lavender sachet and show you how I prepare the applique. But rather than use more pastels the second version is a bit bolder, which is good if you're interested in seeing it made a slightly different way. DOWNLOAD the Love block I still had some scraps of Tilda's most recent fabric range, Old Rose, and once I began playing with the Love block again it occurred to me I could re-make a few more blocks (using some of the other blocks shared previously) in small projects which could be given as gifts. So here is how I re-made LOVE into a sweet lavender sachet. First of all, trace the heart shape from your pattern sheet onto the smooth side of a piece of fusible applique paper - I use Vliesofix or Bondaweb, but there's a few others on the market and they're all pretty much the same. Now this whole Love block is a little less than three inches square so you can imagine how small the heart is, especially the centre cut out section. This is where I find some small very sharp pointed scissors to be wonderful. When there's a cut out section in the applique always remove that first... Then cut along the outside traced line. By the way, that tiny heart removed from the centre of the larger heart? I'll keep it to sew on to something else (you'll have seen the tiny hearts on a couple of the previous blocks, right?)... Now peel away the fusible applique paper and after tracing the design onto your fabric (omit any applique shapes as you never need to trace them) fuse it in position with a warm dry iron. Never use steam when you're working with fusible applique. Normally I blanket stitch around the applique shapes first to prevent any fraying while I do the hand embroidery, but I left it till last today because I wanted to take clear photos of my backstitch as I went around a corner of the L... I'm going to be honest here. Many people really struggle when they backstitch words, small flower petals and curves - and most of the time it's because of two reasons. 1. They are stitching with too many strands of thread. or 2. Their stitches are too big. Back HERE I shared a detailed tutorial on how to reduce the size of your stitches and there's a free practice pattern too. Words are quite delicate things so I stitch with two strands if they are of a fairly average size, and a single strand if they are very small. In this project I've used two strands. Using small stitches you get a lovely natural curve in your letters... As with most things all you need is practice. Don't rush to finish a stitchery, be calm while you bring a pattern to life with needle and thread. Rushing is the third problem that can create 'wonky' stitching, so breathe, slow down, enjoy the process. I mostly blanket stitch applique my shapes with one strand of matching thread. Occasionally I use two but that's pretty rare and I'll have a good reason. After I completed the applique heart the next step was to fill the centre with an outline of blue chain stitch (two strands) before chain stitching around the outside of the heart (two strands) with the same thread as I used for the blanket stitch. I love chain stitch around sections of applique and add this to a lot of my work. It makes the design 'pop'. Completed, I adding a backing to the block and filled the empty sachet with dried lavender flowers before slip stitching the opening closed. The addition of a vintage button really worked with the fabrics. Such a simple project and a lovely gift for someone special or a few could be donated to a church or school fete. I hope this little tutorial has answered a number of 'tiny pieces of applique' questions and thanks to everyone who asked because now I have an extra gift idea for birthdays, Christmas or thank you presents. The previous free blocks in the table runner project are listed in my blog sidebar. Well, that's enough from me today. My beloved is home and I must be away to prepare dinner, which tonight will be simple homemade pizzas on pita bread. God bless you always and lead you in the path everlasting... hugs