Almost Have a Baltimore Album-Style Block

Hand Stitching the itsy-bitsy pussy willow buds. Elly gave us a swatch of ultra-suede to use and it works great - no seam to turn under and no fraying. Embroidered the stem with her idea of using floss, one strand of one color and a second strand of another. (I used black and gray.)

Done

Kid's quilt is done! That makes #4 finished from the list of ten UFOs.

More From Applique Class

This is a photo of Marian Brockschmidt from Springfield, with a couple of her quilts that she brought to show us in class. She has made eight (I think she said) Baltimore Album Style quilts.

Applique Class

On Monday, the guild had teacher Elly Sienkiewicz for a class and lecture. I took the class on a Baltimore Album style applique block; "Victorian Vase of Flowers." I enjoyed her friendly personality, and the lecture was very informative on the history and symbolism of the original Baltimore Album quilters. I had taken a class from her when she came to our guild about 10 years ago; on making flowers for album blocks (ruched, etc.) I even found them in my sewing room the other day, still in the little plastic bag that I brought home from that class.
I've been working on finishing the block started in Monday's class; am determined not to have another UFO.  I got the stem, vase, a leaf and a bud needleturned; and am finishing the applique by fusing and machine blanket stitch. (The pins are holding stabilizer onto the back.)  Am using Shades Soft Fuse that I bought from Elly. I'll probably frame it or make a pillow (with apologies to "Aunt Atha").

Focus and Finish

I've made up my mind to finish at least one more thing from my UFO list before the

Spring Luncheon next week. I basted, quilted and put the binding on the Grandkid's quilt. Hope to get the label on this evening.

I quilted in the ditch with the new sole plate for my Bernina walking foot. It works pretty well, I can go faster with it than without it.

I was all set to go buy some fabric for the binding, but then I found this stripe in my " under the bed" stash that had the exact colors of the quilt top.

Catching Up

I've finished the block to turn in for the guild's 2012 raffle quilt.
And I've been working diligently on my UFO list. Continuing to put the rows together for Raspberry Truffle, made the back for Redwork Sunbonnet Sue, and also for Kid's quilt. It's been cold and rainy the past couple of days, so I have been in the sewing room. Spent the warm days last week in the garden.