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more baltimore questions

I'm getting deeper into planning a baltimore style album quilt, it's so much fun and I haven't even got any fabric yet! I do plan to go with traditional colours, I love red and green and though I can appreciate some of the colour schemes in some modern interpretations, they are not for me!

I am definitely planning to use some techniques that will give some dimension, which means machine quilting in some areas will not be an option. I'm still undecided on whether to quilt a block at a time, or make the entire top before quilting. If I do a block at a time, I will probably do a grid by machine, then outlines by hand, but I think the problem will be the sashing and borders as I want to do some fairly complex applique on them as well, but I don't want to have to handle the whole quilt, but I'm not sure quilt as you go methods would work so well on a pre appliqued sashing compared to a plain one.

I don't think I will have all my block designs before I start, I have the first one picked out and I intended to prepare extra appliques to use on other blocks as I work on that one. I have loads of other designs in mind that I will probably draw out myself, unless I stumble across patterns. I was wondering what method people preferred for transferring an applique design as that's the bit of the process I feel most hazy on.

I intend to do the stems using a bias tape maker, I have 1/2 inch one for non fusible and the main use for that will be dimensional flowers, I plan to buy a 1/4 inch one, but I can't decide whether to get the fusible version or not - anyone have any words of wisdom there?

I'm getting excited about this project, I'm planning it to be something that takes a long time, but that will be truly beautiful by the end. As I know it will be such a big thing, I'm wondering about keeping a diary and noting down time spent and what not.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers
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A diary is a great idea -take photos too. You could even do an online diary and maybe give us a peek now and then :-) Never did a full BA quilt, and applique isn't my best skill. But my method for marking the design is to place the background fabric over the paper design on a light box. Then lightly mark key points with washable marker or a gentle pencil, i.e. flower centers, leaf corners, single line for stems, or whatever is most useful to you. You might also need to mark horizontal and vertical centers on the fabric square for lining up symmetrical designs. (I do needle turn applique.)

As for sashing on quilt-as-you-go blocks, you could treat the sashing as part of the block. Borders can also be added at the end, if you leave enough backing. Or add the extra backing too. The main problem is lumpy seams, so you might want to trim batting so none of it gets caught in a seam. Roberta in D

"Anne Rogers" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:0ZmdnWIkHrsWi5ranZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Anne, I am a big fan of back basting. With that technique you mark/draw the entire block outlines on the back of the background fabric. That is the only marking you do. You can do the light table/window and trace method or any other you wish. Recently I did a few small blocks with very simple, non-overlapping pieces by printing the design on freezer paper, cutting apart and ironing the applique part onto the back to trace around. Would also work with overlapping, repetitive pieces with a little more work. (note to self: got to try that one soon..... maybe for the repro of the antique quilt I want to pattern...... )

I also like the red and green, with bits of yellow/golden yellow quilts. I think they are elegant and so evocative of an earlier time. OF course part of that may be the influence of Laurene Sinema, who was a real fan and designer of such quilts and owner of the shop where I had my first several quilt classes. I want to make some of those quilts sometime, but probably in smaller scale and smaller than full bed sizes. sigh. so many quilts to make.

Pati, in Phx

Anne Rogers wrote:

Reply to
Pati C.

About the bias tape maker.... I would recommend getting the one that has the slot to use for making fusible. You don't have to use the fusible web with it if you want non-fusible, but then you have the ability to do so if you do. (I had the original, then ended up buying the one for fusible when it came out. I have plans for more stained glass quilts that I want to make my own fusible bias for.................)

Do keep a diary or journal of your journey with the quilt. You will appreciate it. I didn't when I did my DJ and wish I had. You will learn a lot, experience a lot and it will bring back memories for many years after.

Pati, in Phx

Anne Rogers wrote:

Reply to
Pati C.

I just eyeball my placement. Since it is a sort of complex sampler you won't have two of the same block side by side. This means there won't be another of the same block to compare it to on the quilt, so you don't have to be truly perfect. I like that because I often want to tweak some detail to suit my own wishes.

If you really want perfect placement of your pieces you can print a reversed image of the block, lay that face up, place a piece of Press-n-Seal sticky side up, and then place your pieces wrong side up over it. Lay your background wrong side up over that, rub to set everything in place, and sew through the plastic.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

my photo albums link direct to one of the sites, so I should do that

I don't have a light box, but I have managed to do simlilar markings without on.

The idea was that you butt the batting up together and zig zag it to hol, then the sashing is machined in place one side and slip stitched the other. I think that as some puckering seems almost inevitale, I need to keep them separate.

Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

followed that advice and as all notions were at 50% off it was very reasonable

I do plan to, originally it was going to be offline, but seems like people want to read it, so I'm going to find out what my album links to and see if I can get an appopriate name there.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

Just want I wanted to here :-), I'll obviously want to get my baskets in the right places and when the vine structure needs to be good, then I'll follow that. Early on it's going to be the sashing that needs to be perfectly marked and placed.

Thanks

Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

Anne, the original Baltimore Album blocks started out as applique friendship album blocks and the ladies making them had a little "my block is better than your block" war. Each woman kept adding more things to their blocks to show off their smooth curves, sharp points, thin stems, embroidered tendrils, pleasing original design. The sheer complexity of their block designs and the workmanship all factored into the one-up-man-ship. In other words, Anne, those Baltimore ladies played with their blocks to suit their needs, and you should have the fun of doing the same. Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

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