Baltimore Album Block of the Month Club


The club will run for 15 months, both being available for download on the 8th of each month.

There are 13 blocks and the border.





Fabric requirements:

Background, 4 yards of a neutral

A) Flowers, berries: dark red, med red, light red, (a mottled batik with all 3 would work great, it give good color variance) 2-1/2 yards total

B) Stems, leaves: dark green, med green, light green (same here) 2-1/2 yards total

C) Accents: dark gold, light gold (same here) 1-1/2 yard total

D) Brown, fat quarter

E) Med blue, fat quarter

F) Med violet, fat quarter




Hand Applique Basics

Supplies:
1 Small scissors (I like baby cuticle scissors or small curved end embroidery scissors.)
2 Light box (optional) for tracing
3 Thread to match fabric, I very often use DMC embroidery floss to appliqué, the color choice is greater, it is 100% cotton, and easier to store.
4 Template plastic, freezer paper, depending on your choice of piecing method. (I use template plastic, it’s more stable and doesn’t distort after tracing.
5 Box flat wooden toothpicks
6 Applique needles, I use 12 sharps
7 Wonder wash away ¼” double sided tape
8 Spray starch
9 Marking tools, I use a fine pencil, and a fine line water erase pen
10 Applique pressing sheet, if you are going to fuse the appliqué
11 Double sided fusible sheets
12 Thimble

Instructions for Hand appliqué: Read through before beginning, there are a lot of tips I included.



Making Templates


1 Trace each motif the actual size of the finished motif. The seam allowance will be added when the motif is cut from fabric.
2 Place the template on the right side of the fabric.
3 Trace around the template, leaving a thin line. (you don’t want it to show)
4 Cut out the motif 1/8” beyond the pencil line.
5 Tip: try to place the templates with the grain of the fabric; there will be less fraying than if on the bias.
6 Tip: I do not cut out a motif until I am ready to sew it, that way pieces do not get lost or fray.



Preparing Background Fabric

1 Cut the background fabric generously larger than the finished size. Applique distorts the square slightly, we will square it up after it is finished.
2 Tip: For the center square I cut a 20” square, which will finish up to 17”.
3 Fold the background square in half, twice, to determine the center. Do the same with the master pattern.
4 Layer the master pattern and background fabric together, lining up the fold line and center point.
5 Lightly trace the design with the fine line wash away pen to create a placement guide.
6 Tip: If you do not have a light box, tape the master pattern to the window and the fabric over it. Then you will be able to see the lines. I use duct tape to hold the pattern securely. Good old duck tape!


Needle-Turn Applique

1 Position the appliqué motif onto the background over the marked position.
2 Tip: Remember to start with the pieces that are furthest back, those items which are tucked behind something. For instance, the leaves are behind the stems, the flower bud is behind the calyx, mimic the way the plant grows.
3 Hold the background fabric in your non-sewing hand; use the side of the needle to turn under the 1/8” seam allowance to the drawn line.
4 Tip: Never use the point of the needle, it will fray the fabric and then you are out of luck, it’s almost impossible to fix a frayed edge. Instead, use a flat wooden toothpick to help guide the fabric under. The toothpick has enough tension to grab the fabric without fraying it
5 Tip: Use a sweeping motion, and ease the fabric into place, trying not to have any tucks.
6 Hold the turned under edge securely between your left hand thumb and a corresponding finger underneath. Finger press it necessary to get a smooth edge.
7 Guide the needle through the background fabric from underneath, catching the very edge of the appliqué motif.
8 The needle is now on the top of the fabric, take a small stitch directly behind where you came up, under the motif and bring the needle back to the top, traveling approximately 1/16” while under the fabric.
9 Pull the thread through the fabric and give it a little tug, this will set the stitch and help turn under the edge securely.



Outside Points: As on a leaf, should be sharp. This can be accomplished by how you turn the corner.

1 Stitch all the way to the point, stopping just before. I take an additional very tiny securing stitch, coming up at the very tip of the point.
2 Turn the background square so the other side of the leaf is now facing you, and with the side of the needle, tuck under the seam allowance, actually bringing the needle to the previously sewn edge. This will give a flat, sharp point
3 Now take a very tiny stitch to secure the tip, and continue down the side.






Inside Points: This can also apply to curves as in the flowers of our design.

1 Using the small embroidery scissors, clip through the seam allowance to within 2 threads of the drawn line.
2 Tip: Do not cut to the line, as it is harder to turn under and may fray. I find that if I clip to just before the line, I get a clean turn.
3 Stitch to one stitch before the point, turn under the seam allowance using our toothpick trick, starting about ¼” up the other side.
4 Tip: I again take an extra very tiny securing tip at the exact point, and then continue up the other side.



Fusible Technique


1 Trace the design onto the paper side of the fusible web. The finished appliqué motif will be a mirror image of what you are tracing.
2 Tip: Number and letters must be traced in reverse.
3 Cut loosely around the traced designs using paper scissors. 4 Do not cut exactly on the lines drawn at this point.
5 Fuse each piece to the WRONG side of the fabric. The paper side should be up and the web side against the fabric.
6 Tip: If you use the double sided fusible, it makes it easier, there is a sticky feel to the web which helps. Read the package and follow the directions.
7 Fuse the pieces to the fabric
8 Cut out the motifs along the drawn line.
9 Tip: If you use the appliqué ironing sheet, you can place it directly over the pattern and not have to trace it to the background fabric, saving a step. Now just lay the pieces on the fabric, arranging them where they belong.
10 Fuse the pieces in place and you are ready to decide how to sew.
11 Use a blanket stitch, a small zigzag, or a straight stitch close to the edge.
12 Thread choice: use matching, black, or invisible thread.








Center Medallion, Block One

1 Cut the background fabric, 20” square and follow the above directions as to tracing.
2 Do the leaves first
3 Stems are next
4 Flower centers are easier to appliqué before appliqué the flower to the background, less fabric to sew through.
5 I use the hole reinforcement circles to help keep my circles even. If you do not have them, use a self sticking address label, trace the circle on it and use that, it works just a well.
6 Place the circle on the wrong side of the fabric, clip to just before the circle, not to it, as again it will be hard not to fray.
7 Be sure to cut out the motif seam allowance very shallow, 1/16” if best, because circles are harder to turn.
8 Bring the needle up from behind as before, catching the very edge, and taking very tiny stitch, and using the toothpick, tuck the edge under, usually ¼” at a time.
9 I don’t worry about removing the paper circle, it doesn’t impact the feel of the fabric and when washed will eventually dissolve.
10 I use the wonder ¼” double sided tape to secure the motifs to the background. This way there are no pins to get hung up on and the tape washes out.
11 Cut a piece of the tape according to the motif size, I usually try to stay about ½”, place it on the wrong side of the fabric toward the center of the motif. You don’t want to have to needle through it; it is very sticky and holds up the thread. It will hold the motif very securely.
12 Stems, you can either use the appliqué pattern pieces, or as I prefer, I use bias strips.
13 Berries sew as the flower centers. Try stuffing them with a small piece of batting, it gives the piece dimension.
14 Urn: Sew the band to the urn first, and then the urn to the background.
15 Block will be trimmed up to 17-½”.





Making bias strips:

1 Cut 1” strips from your leaf fabric, I used the darkest of the green.
2 There are 2 widths of stems, follow the pattern.
3 To make the smaller width, I folded the strip in half, pressed, and when I appliquéd it to the background, I simply tucked in the seam allowance to meet the pattern line.
4 To make the wider strip, I used a ¼ bias tape maker and pressed the fabric.
5 Tip: I make a bunch at one time, and then roll it around a paper towel tube, securing it with pins, this way I always have it and it doesn’t unfold.
6 Tip: When sewing bias stems sew the shortest inner curve first and then sew the outside curve. It will lay flatter and look better.



Notes: I do not cut away the background fabric from behind the appliqué. It weakens the quilt. If machine quilting, the extra thickness is not usually a problem. If hand quilting, more care will be needed to keep you stitches even, usually using the stab method.



I hope you enjoy the process, and please feel free to email me with any questions, or PM me on the board and send a photo of what you are doing.

Peg Distasi Quilt Designer
Silver Spruce Quilt Gallery
[email protected]

Let me be the FIRST TO THANK YOU for everything you've done to put this together for us!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

:-D :-D

My pleasure, enjoy

Ohhh, this is going to be lovely in batiks! Thank you for sharing your talent!

:P :thumbup:

I second that! THANK YOU! Finally found it and the link worked to be able to see this. :) I can't believe I am going to try this. Ok....Panic attack over with and now I can analyze it a bit more clear. :)

I am going to try it - have to get my material
thank you so much

Yes, I would also like to thank you. This is my opportunity to learn this procedure. I have my pattern printed, fabric selected, and ready to proceed. I'm going to think positive...I know I can do this!

Go for it, you'll never know if. You don't try. I'm here if you need help

IF? oh wow! Thanks for the compliment. *I* would have said WHEN I need help. :) How big is the finished quilt?

sounds like fun no way would i try that one

I'd like to add my thanks, yours looks great.

I have some fabrics that I have hand dyed that I might try.

Sorry

:oops:

60" square

That will be beautiful;

:lol:

Another HUGE Thank-you, you are so kind to share your beautiful talent. I am suffering from a awful head cold but I do very much want to do this, I have several fabrics that I have been collecting & will work for this very project.
Again, Thank-you so much!!!

Tonight I will look through the fabric and see what grabs me. I'm going to the quilt shop on SAturday so might take the yardages with me to figure if I need to get anything.

!!!THANK YOU!!! I dont have fabric yet, but I am super excited about this :D :D :D

thanks for all the work. this is going to be my project of the year/s.

Have fun, this is a good quilt to use up some of your stash,

I just love your quilt and so want to learn this. I can only work on it every other weekend and can't post any pictures. But I will be watching everyone elses and tyring my best. Thanks for doing this. Rumbols

Now I KNOW this is beyond my capabilities. Also, I don't have EQ....

I have always wanted to do a Baltimore Album quilt but have been afraid be cause I have never done applique. Where did you find the fabric? Could I use any fabric of my own choosing? The closest place for fabric is at our local Walmart. I live in a small town in southwest Arkansas and would have to travel about 90 miles to find a regular fabric store. Thanks for your help. Jeanniebelle

Thank you so much for giving us some enthusiasm to try new techniques. Looking forward to the challenge.

Are there templates? I'm having trouble getting the pattern.
I don't have EQ.
Thanks.
OOps. Just saw a download near the picture.

I have always loved the Baltimore style quilts, but have been too intimidated to try making one. I think the time has come to bite the bullet! I'm going to the Fabric store on Saturday and will pick up some extra for this project!

Here is a link to a pdf pattern, tape it together on the dashed lines, trace the motifs on template plastic or freezer paper, I traced 1 of each flower, leaf, berries, etc. to be sure they were the same size. Then use the template to trace on the fabric.

In the instructions use the bias stems, it's easier.

Good luck, give it a try, maybe you'll enjoy it, it can be relaxing, and you can pick it up and put it down anytime, I sometimes work for 15 minutes at a time, put it down, and when you go back to it, you know exactly where you are!

http://static.quiltingboard.com/uplo...erndistasi.pdf


:D

:P :P

Use the master pattern to trace the templates.

:thumbup:

My pdf does not work, hope you will continue in EQ also.

Thanks so much, love the pattern.

I buy most of my fabric online, I also do not have a close shop, go to http://www.quiltshops.com/, there are all kinds of shops there.

You can use whatever fabric you like, personalize the quilt, don't feel you must copy my choices, I only posted them to help everyone as a suggestion. I happen to like batiks in this quilt type because the batik gives movement and automatic shading.



:D

Do you mean it would not open or your computer didn't have adobe to open it. If you need the pattern, I can try to email it to you. Send me a PM with your email.

:thumbup:

I tried to open it wouldn't on mine either i copied and paste the instruction:( i have bookmark for my next project as i am doing the pinwheel at the moment. I hope you don't mind if i keep the pattern for next time!

I'm new to the forum and I am not really sure how this BOM works...could you give me a quick overview??? I would really like to try and make this quilt, it is just so pretty...

IEach month on the 8th I will post the instructions for the next block, bookmark the page, on the top left and it will be easier to call up, you'll want to check back often as everyone begins to post pictures of their blocks. It's fun to follow everone's progress. Thanks for your nice comments.
:D

work at your own pace just enjoy

I sure will i love doing applique hand quilting is very relaxing for me :)Thank you for your time and effort in sharing with us.

the download worked fine for me.

some may have to update their adobe pdf reader to download and open the file.

You are so welcome and thank you for giving me the chance to make the quilt with instruction...I look forward to seeing how everyone does....:)

AWESOME ... I am just finishing up on Kim McLeans Album quilt, so your pattern came along just in time . Thank you for sharing. Your fabric selections are beautiful! I am curious tho , can we chose our own colorway ? I know, I am a thorn among roses, but I like to "do my own thing".
Thanks again, I love the pattern

Went to JoAnne's to get my fabric. They had Keepsake Calico's on sale for 30% off so went with those. We only have one quilt shop and I'm not impressed with it (actually avoid it if possible) so usually have to go to JoAnnes or out of town. The white fabric will be the neutral color. I also received today in the mail EQ7 so I will be having so much to learn! :)