Applique challenge

Here's my most recently completed block for my applique BOM. I wanted to post a picture because I'm happy with the way it turned out especially since it was such a challenge to complete. It's not that the shapes are particulary complicated. It's the layering that makes this block a challenge. Four of the outer leaves have stems that start out under the vine and then loop around to go over the vine. To make it even more interesting, the inner leaves sit on top of the stem of these looping leaves. Since applique usually involves stitching down the bottom layer first, those looping leaves presented an interesting problem. To solve the problem, I first stitched a portion of the stem for the looping leaves - from the part that starts under the vine almost to the point where it will go back over the vine. Then I had to stitch down the inner leaves and the four non-looping outer leaves. After that it was time to stitch down the vine, so I had to flip the looping leaves back to the center and pin them down so they would be out of my way for stitching the vine. After that I was able to move the looping leaves back over the vine for stitching into place. Lastly, I added the berries. It actually wasn't as complicated as it sounds, but I really enjoyed figuring out a way to make this block work. I'm very pleased with the result.