Cutting blocks for Baltimore style applique quilts
Hi all-
Need some help getting started on my first Baltimore style album quilt. It's the "Mi Amor" pattern, and I have the book and templates etc. and joined a BOTM club. The fabric for my first block has just arrived, so I'm excited to get started.
I've basically only done pieced work before, so not quite sure what the best way is to approach the blocks for this quilt which are mostly applique and embroidery.
Do you typically cut the background fabric for the quilt to the finished size from the outset? Or do you recommend cutting the block a bit larger, doing all the applique, and then cutting them to the finished size once all the applique work is done?
My grandma used to do a lot of smaller embroidered blocks for some of her quilts and she'd always sew the blocks to scraps of muslin while she worked the patterns so they'd be big enough to keep fully stretched in her hoop. Then she'd cut them down to size. The finished blocks for this quilt are 17"x17" so I'm not sure that would be necessary, but wondered what others have done.
I'm excited to get started. I'm planning/hoping to finish this one up in time for my parent's 40th Anniversary in a couple of years..... here's hoping!