And I'm going to the experts for the answers. :-D The more I read the quilting mags, the more questions I have; and also surfing the sites. I ran across 'leader fabric' on a store site. What is that? And what is Baltimore appliqué? How is it different from regular appliqué? Lastly, what is the 'ladder stitch?' In the latest issue of Am. Patchwork & Quilting, someone said she uses the ladder stitch for hand appliqué, and is almost invisible. Can someone tell me what that is? :?: And thanks in advance for your help! ;)

This will help for the Baltimore applique question.
http://baltimorequiltlady.com/Blocks/album/index.html

I can't answer all your questions but have a guess on the Baltimore applique'. I've seen a few of these quilts and they are distinguished by their very intricate applique'. See this link for an example:
http://baltimorequiltlady.com/
The last one I saw, in the Lowell, MA, quilt museum was king size. It looked like someone spent an entire lifetime making it, it is so detailed!

Hope you get feedback on your other questions. I'd like to know too!

Great minds think alike? Or, we luckily hit the same website??

Leader fabric is used to attach quilts to a quilt frame for machine quilting, either longarm or shortarm. It is usually a canvas type material.

Baltimore Album quilts were popular in Maryland in the 1840s. Most of the applique blocks were floral designs and many times each block was made by a different quilter. Baltimore Album is more a style of applique. Applique can refer to any fabric that is affixed to the top of another piece of fabric--it can be fused on, hand stitched, machine stitched, etc.

A ladder stitch is a nearly invisible stitch that can be used for applique or sewing on bindings, etc. There are tutorials on line where you can learn how--just google ladder stitch.

Baltimore blocks are a style of appliqued blocks that are usually hand turned applique.

Here is a tute on the ladder stitch...scroll down the page to find it :D:D:D

http://turningturning.com/tutorial-i...quilt-binding/

I knew I was going to the right place! Thanks for the links and the info! I had to laugh about the ladder stitch--I've been using that stitch for years, just didn't know it had a name! :lol: