Hop To It Quilt
Several days ago, I asked Cuties for advice concerning a Baltimore Album Quilt I was contemplating making.
Well, I received terrific advice here at Cute, conflicting advice at various local quilt shops, encouragement from fellow quilters and some questionable info from numerous web sites.
I concluded all this "research" would just end up getting me so confused, I never would start my quilt. So, I decided to hop right in and see what happens.
I vetoed using a 100% wool background ($40/yard and, well, after all, I have central heating...😅) I opted for a good quality cotton instead.
I'm using a soft medium weight tear-away stabilizer - because it is 20" wide - leaving plenty of room around the 8" squares and primarily, because I had it in my stash.🙂
All the appliqués are done with felted wool and cotton thread.
Here are the first five blocks ~ before they've been squared up and ironed. Whatcha think?
The quilt designs are available at the Link below.
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laundrybasketquilts.com
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20463you did a beautiful job, and I agree with your choice. At the moment, I am just happy being able to use up my stash. For the backing, I usually just use the fleece sold as blankets, cozy as well. Am looking forward to our finished quilt. Love the black background.
1 comment
by sewdeb
16 Apr 2017
Thaks, mama! I think I'll never completely work through my stash :-/ but this is making a dent, at least. A good of portion of the wool is recycled from suits. skirts, and slacks. Fleece sounds super cuddly - I might not want to get out of bed! Hugs*, Deb
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36064813216These blocks are beautiful. Sometimes one just needs to jump right in and have a go
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13243Oh, this is so cute......love all the details and colors you are using....
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261163Wow....Stunning designs and work done!!!So Beautiful....Well done
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66025Love Baltimore Album style quilts...great start...can't wait to see it finished....
1 comment
by sewdeb
14 Apr 2017
Thanks Kim! Years ago, my DH and I attended an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art which was made up entirely of Baltimore Album quilts. They were amazing! Of course they were all hand applique with teeny pieces. Each one a person's life's masterwork.
318471It's stunning and I love anything bright on a quilt. Can I ask a question - you say it is felted wool so how do you launder it when it comes to cleaning/washing the quilt? Love Chris
4 comments
by sewdeb
13 Apr 2017
First off, vacuum the quilt to remove as much dirt as possible - that might be all it needs, most of the time.
You can wash it in a top loading washing machine IF you can bypass the Agitation cycle. Fill the machine with COLD water and mild soap (Orvus, Woolite, Euclan or Mane and Tail horse shampoo) HAND AGITATE the quilt working the soapy water through the quilt . Set the machine on the rinse cycle. Repeat if need be, Once you're satisfied all the dirt is removed, advance the machine to the spin cycle. Once most of the water is removed - gather up the quilt, it's going to be heavy, so have help standing by, roll it and place in a sheet to carry it outside to lay flat in the shade. Cover with another sheet to keep bugs, bird droppings and what have you off the quilt until dry. You might have to rotate the quilt and/or block the quilt as it dries to keep it square.
Or you could wash it in the bath tub. Fill the tub with cold water and a gentle detergent). Add the quilt and "agitate" it by hand, working the soapy water through the quilt. Any dirt will rise out of the quilt. Scooch the quilt aside and drain the water. Refill the tub with the same temperature water (since the wool has been prewashed and felted, shrinkage isn't really a problem) Repeat until the water remains clean/free of dirt.
Drain the water leaving the quilt in the tub! Gently roll and squish the quilt to get more of the water out. Roll it onto a sheet and cart it outside to dry flat and in the shade.
by pennifold
edited 14 Apr 2017
Thanks for that very informative answer Deb. All I really wanted to know was, as it was wool, wouldn't it shrink when washed. Reading your response I see the wool has been pre-washed so shrinkage is no problem. ❤️ Chris
234500Oh, I think you are on the road to happiness! This looks scrumptious to me.
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33350Oh my that is going to spectacular! I love machine applique...after finishing my Sunbonnet Sue, I have been looking for a long time project. Would you mind sharing where you got the designs? ...if it is not too presumptive to ask. You did good in selecting a dark background. I did one of Eleanor Burns' applique quilts on black background and it was bought out of my hands before it was hardly finished. I wish I had it back, but did not want to do it twice.
3 comments
by sewdeb
13 Apr 2017
Thanks!
I'm sorry, I thought I had given the link.... it's there now.
Do you have pictures of your Eleanor Burns quilt? I'd love to see it. This is the first quilt with a black background I've made and I'm loving it so far.
by awesome1
13 Apr 2017
I did not make a pix...I was having a yard sale, had a couple of quilts and this lady came along--obsessed with quilt collecting. We chatted and I invited her to see the appliqued one in my house--she demanded ownership and eventually almost bought all I had made. I have scanned the cover of the book and patterns...but in reply, I cannot upload it for you. I will post it in 'chat' so you can look for it on line, if interested Look for me there!
10173I think that will become a heirloom quilt. I absolutely love what you have done so far.
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109774What a magnificent start to your quilt! I love the bright, vivid colors and the applique technique is perfect! This will be stunning when completed.
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530I think these are absolutely fabulous! I don't think I've seen wool with a satin stitch before, but I think it is a perfect technique for these appliques. Is it machine applique? Or did you do this manually? I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished project!
1 comment
by sewdeb
13 Apr 2017
thanks, Penny. It's machine appliquéd. I don't think I have the patience to do an hand appliquéd one anymore. 🙂
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