ROSES are almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Mexico, and Norway to North Africa. The fossil remains of the rose’s ancestors trace the plant back more than 30 million years. The Chinese, probably the first to cultivate the blooms, proudly displayed them in the Imperial Gardens 500 years before the birth of Christ. Roses were important in trade and religion in ancient Persia, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome.

Roses are best created with at least four shades of the same color family. Use the darkest shade for the background of the rose, a lighter shade for the top petals, a medium shade for the middle petals and the dark shade for the bottom petals.

Draw background template on darkest fabric. Cut out with 1/8^th inch seam allowance, turn under and baste.

Draw template "A" three times on the lightest of the fabrics. Place two layers right sides together and machine stitch on the drawn line with very small stitches, leaving the bottom open.

Draw template "B" three times on the medium fabric. Stitch as above, leaving the bottom open.

Draw template "C" three times on the darker shade of fabric. Sew on the machine as before, leaving the bottom open.

Using 1/8^th inch seam allowance, cut out each piece and turn through the open bottoms. It is helpful to use a point turner or hemostat to turn each petal and smooth out the edges. Stuff lightly with Fiberfil. Loosely gather the bottom of each piece.

Attach the three A petals to the background securely.

Make the center bud by folding a 3" circle in half and then one third over to the left and the other third over to the right. Gather the bottom of the bud tightly. Place this bud in the center of the petals and secure.

Place two or three B petals upright on top of the A petals and secure.

Place two C petals in the down position and secure right at the bottom of the other petals.

Gently fold the B petals down part way over the C petals and secure wherever needed to simulate rose petals.

© 1998, Jean McCarley