I am doing a Block of the Month, A Graceful Stitch, with Gathering Fabrics of Woodinville. I just finished the ruched flowers. It was fun to prepare. The flowers are a bit heavy but they look wonderful. I started with a 1 1/2" WOF strip. Folded it in half and basted along the bottom. This basting line is important because your fabric will want to fray.


 
I then basted a scalloped line. As you come to the fold of the fabric your thread loops over the other side and begins the next. It is easiest to baste a couple of scallops and then pull the threads to create the pedals.  Once you have pulled the entire strip into a collective grouping you begin to create the flower.  The flower is created by twisting the pedals in circular rows and sewing at the basting line by hand.

 

 This flower was created with 1 1/2" X 22". The WOF strip is a better way to go with the pattern.