The pattern for this topper was from the January/February 2012 issue of “Quiltmania” magazine. The design was by Maggie Bonanomi for Blackberry Primitives. The original used wool fabrics, but I used batiks from my fabric stash. I added a border of fabric that matched the basket fabric. For the center of the flowers I sewed on black buttons instead of appliqueing the final smallest circle of fabric. Also, I used beads for the birds eyes instead of French knots.

Close-ups of the two birds. Most of the appliques were outlined with a machine blanket stitch, however, I used a satin stitch on the birds’ wings to give them more definition.

Close-ups of the flowers.

For the background quilting, I scattered a few larger feather fronds and then quilted a smaller paisley shape all over to fill in.

On the sofa.

The border was mitered at the corners and outline quilted with a feather ending in a heart shape at the top and bottom in the middle.

To view a slide-show with more pictures click here.