Saturday 3 November 2012

Baltimore Album


I don't know about you but I never tire of looking at Baltimore Album quilts. A couple of years ago I bought these wonderful pattern packs from the US :


I admired them (and drooled over them) for quite a while before deciding I'd actually make one. 

The blocks in each pack are much the same size so I have pulled blocks from each and bit by bit stitched a few. Here they are so far on my 'design wall' (grand name for a bit of wadding pinned to a pine rod ?)  



Feeling a bit lot guilty that they look so wrinkly and neglected up there. So I got them down, gave them an iron, cropped some photos, and ...hey presto - here are a few of them looking a bit better now :










I have tried different ways to hand applique over the years and, like many others, have had some sad, sad experiences with markers. Nothing new to a lot of you I know, but the method I use now for fiddly work is the template-free Back-Basting. I love the fact there is no glue and no marking the front of the work, and that the pieces stay put for accuracy. A great tutorial is available at the link. It was a moment of enlightenment when I discovered this method when trawling blogs...thank you generous bloggers!






















15 comments:

  1. Wow Hilda they are amazing. A Darling Harbour quilt in the making?

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  2. Wow! Amazing blocks!!! I'm speechless!!

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. You are set as no reply so I have no way of emailing you. I'm glad I got to visit your blog!!

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  3. Hi Hilda! Thanks for commenting on my blog...now I am able to pay a return visit. Wow. Your Baltimore blocks are looking fanatstic (amazing what a little bit of wrinkle elimination can do...wish it was so easy for a personal wrinkle-ectomy!!) I confess I have both those pattern kits but seriously doubt I'll do anything with them...too challenging.
    Love your Sarah Morrell and Lucy Boston reproductions too. Very very noice!
    I look forward to seeing more of your work. Best regards, Kate

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  4. Oh, my! Such detail! Beautiful! I love Baltimore Album quilts but I seriously doubt I will ever make one. My applique skills are still at the beginner stage. I'll enjoy watching yours come together.

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  5. I love all of the quilts you are working on, this Baltimore is going to be fantastic!
    Penny

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  6. Lovely work! Each block is a beauty and seeing them together...stunning!

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  7. Wow!! These blocks are really amazing. Absolutely beautiful!! I had a wander through your blog and all your work is beautiful! I've signed up as a follower and look for to seeing more.

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  8. Thank you for posting the link to the applique method. I had not seen that one before, and it looks to be very effective. I like not marking the front of the piece, too! And your blocks are AMAZING! It's going to be magnificent!

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  9. Gob smacked! More loveliness!

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  10. You are an amazing stitcher! These blocks are GORGEOUS! Welcome to blogging :0)

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  11. Your applique blocks are beautiful! I love to do needle turn applique, and have used the back basting method on a Hawaiian quilt.

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  12. and you applique beautifully too~!
    i have admired the baltimore album quilts and thought about starting one but at the current time i have to finish quite a few other projects before i take on that challenge. it will be fun watching yours come along.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  13. You're appliqué is fabulous. Hope you're going to keep at them - it will be an amazing quilt!

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  14. Your album blocks are just stunning!! I am the newsletter editor of the Baltimore Applique Society and I manage their Facebook page. Would you consider sending a photo of one of your blocks to share on the FB page? Email me and I can give you more information and the link to the page so you can see what we do.

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  15. Crikey Hilda, I wish you lived next door to me.

    Have you seen the fiddling bit of applique I'm toiling over right now? I'm making a right old song and dance over it.

    These blocks are just blissful!

    Fiona

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