I started my applique quilt, Baltimore Garden, over two years ago. I had a wall hanging, a Hawaiian quilt, and a red and green traditional quilt under my belt. Each one was a bit more challenging. I was thinking this week about the progress I have made with my applique. Sometimes, if we don't look back we don't see how far we have come. Each quilt I do the pieces seem to get smaller. That is definitely a sign of improvement. With the Hawaiian quilt the pieces were large, but as a beginner I was challenged at keeping it from shifting.
With my wall hanging, the pieces were smaller and I learned to deal with stems and leaves. But it has a very folky looking, so placement was not going to be the end of the world. I just love this wall hanging the simple shapes and colors just sing to me.
Then I figured I was ready to tackle a red and green quilt. I have always loved them. I started on the center medallion block which was the hardest block. Not sure why, I had it in my head to start there, but I survived it and moved on to the surrounding blocks. I love this type of quilt as each block is quite different and so each one is exciting!
Then in 2013, I started Baltimore Garden, I had fallen in love with this quilt the first time I had seen it. This time I was experienced enough to start with some of the less complicated blocks. Barbara Burnham who wrote the book that includes the pattern did an awesome job with detailed pictures and step by step explanations of techniques used. Each block has been a joy! I feel I could almost applique the leave and stems in my sleep. Block 24 is challenging me again with those layered flowers with the little round petals. Then it came to me, one of the reasons I like applique is there are so many different ways to approach it. So I decided to go back to marking my seam line on the front of the applique instead of using freezer paper on top. I also put in my Elly Sienkiewicz dvd on applique as I sat and stitched.. It felt as if she was there guiding me along. You know applique is all about one stitch at time. If I could stay in that frame of mind almost anything is possible.
So today I will work on finishing up the layered flowers on block 24. A lot of single applique stitches to be made but each one will get me closer to my goal. I finished one up on Friday so hopefully by the end of the day they will all look like this! I will also being linking up with Kathy and the other slow stitchers today!
With my wall hanging, the pieces were smaller and I learned to deal with stems and leaves. But it has a very folky looking, so placement was not going to be the end of the world. I just love this wall hanging the simple shapes and colors just sing to me.
Then I figured I was ready to tackle a red and green quilt. I have always loved them. I started on the center medallion block which was the hardest block. Not sure why, I had it in my head to start there, but I survived it and moved on to the surrounding blocks. I love this type of quilt as each block is quite different and so each one is exciting!
Then in 2013, I started Baltimore Garden, I had fallen in love with this quilt the first time I had seen it. This time I was experienced enough to start with some of the less complicated blocks. Barbara Burnham who wrote the book that includes the pattern did an awesome job with detailed pictures and step by step explanations of techniques used. Each block has been a joy! I feel I could almost applique the leave and stems in my sleep. Block 24 is challenging me again with those layered flowers with the little round petals. Then it came to me, one of the reasons I like applique is there are so many different ways to approach it. So I decided to go back to marking my seam line on the front of the applique instead of using freezer paper on top. I also put in my Elly Sienkiewicz dvd on applique as I sat and stitched.. It felt as if she was there guiding me along. You know applique is all about one stitch at time. If I could stay in that frame of mind almost anything is possible.
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| I laid out my completed blocks for inspiration |
So today I will work on finishing up the layered flowers on block 24. A lot of single applique stitches to be made but each one will get me closer to my goal. I finished one up on Friday so hopefully by the end of the day they will all look like this! I will also being linking up with Kathy and the other slow stitchers today!
Carla, so enjoyed your applique journey and the culmination that brought block 24 into being... all the blocks you laid out look completely lovely too ... but I am so glad you worked around those tiny pieces and made it come out so BEAUTIFUL! The light on it is perfect too :) Thanks for sharing your progress ! Kathi
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathi! It has been a wonderful journey and it is nice to stop and smell the roses once in while. I never thought of myself as some one who is very creative but I do have a need to create and challenge myself!
DeleteWow! Your appliqué projects are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, just something I really enjoy doing. There is a such a sense of satisfaction to achieve my goals and grow.
DeleteLove them all and that layered flower at first glance could be a REAL flower...amazing work : )
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! It is quite small about 2 1/4 inches across. It has taken me many stitches to get to this point, but I have loved them all.
DeleteWow - such a gorgeous progression of your work. It all looks so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYou come a long way! We may almost call you an expert now. You do lovely work and that last flower is adorable.
ReplyDeleteChantel such kind words. With quilting I doubt there is ever an expert as it seems there is always something new to learn and practice.
DeleteOh, I loved your history of applique. And each quilt is so beautiful. And, my goodness, that layered flower looks almost like some zinnias in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThat is a real compliment Cathy! I love to garden too and I think that shows in my stitching! Thanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteAt one time, I so wanted to make a Hawaiian quilt. There were some quilting shows where a lady talked about the style and showed many tips on creating them. I never got around to it. I find them such beautiful pieces.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching your progress on the Baltimore Garden quilt and even purchased the book because of your blocks.
I agree Hawaiian quilts are just so beautiful. I have some patterns and really want to do another some day. If only we had more time to do everything we want to.
Deletewow- your applique quilts are so gorgeous! I love the red and white. I've always admired hawaiian style quilts. Your baltimore blocks are stunning!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful post and inspiration!
Thanks Barb! It is good to look back and reflect and I agree it so inspiring. Can you believe I was first inspired by Georgia Bonesteel when she had a pbs show. I have dreamed of making quilts for years, something about them always spoke to me. It just shows your dreams can come true!
DeleteOnce again, your work is awe inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!
DeleteYou do the prettiest appliqué! I am not a big fan of appliqué because I do not have the patience, but I sure admire yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanya!
DeleteStunning work! The last flower there looks so real. I truly admire your work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving such kind words. It is just something I love to do!
DeleteDonna, aren't the craftsy classes great! You can hit that rerun button until you get it! I hope they have Mimi do more classes! I still have so much to learn about layering and embellishment. No classes around here so craftsy works well for me! I am so glad that you haven't given up and continue to grow
ReplyDeleteCarla, your applique journey is beautiful. You really progressed in your expertise quickly. I have always loved the look of Baltimore Album quilts. I don't know if I will ever have the patience to complete one, but I am inspired by your progress. Just seeing all those blocks laid our reminds me that is just one block at a time. Your work is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCathie, you are so right a large Baltimore style quilt is quite a commitment. I know I have always wanted to do an eagle block but don't know if I am ready to commit to a whole quilt, so it may be done as a wallhanging. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your slow stitches today!
DeleteI have enjoyed this journey with you watching you make these blocks just warmed my heart every month. I loved this quilt too ever since I saw it a few years ago, way before the book i was in awe.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your journey with us. Its been inspiring to me
kathie
Thank you! I started my blog as a way to journal my journey and with the hopes of inspiring some new quilters. So when quilters that I look up to stop by it is definitely icing on the cake!
DeleteYour jump from beginner to OMG appliquer is amazing. Your work it gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWe put a lot of applique stitches into each appliqued quilt. I also think that since I hand quilt most of my quilts it has helped me with the learning curve.
DeleteWhat an inspiration you have been Carla! your applique journey has produced some truly beautiful pieces - the beginner being no exception! We are fortunate that you share :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Hilda! I love sharing with others in hopes that they will be inspired to try and find it is more than stitching pieces of fabrics together.
DeleteWow! Your appliqué journey is so neat! I love hearing about how you are working through things..... after four blocks using freezer paper appliqué for leaves you are the light bulb - just draw and use needle turn appliqué! Just made my prep work so much easier tonight. Thanks =).
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help Deb! I am learning to take that minute and think about it! It usually pays off in the end.
DeleteSuch progression in your workmanship. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think it is good to look back at our work. The changes are so gradual we don't realize sometimes how far we have come!
DeleteCarla, it was so great to read about your applique progress and achievement - so inspiring. I'm still a beginning applique r but as you say, each stitch gets us closer to done and more experienced. I don't think I would have made much progress without following applique bloggers posts. I learn so much. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh I so agree! So much great information on blogs. My hope is that my posts would inspire someone to do traditional needle turn applique. That anyone with some fabric, a needle, and some thread could create something lovely. It has a learning curve but with persistence learning those skills I think really pays off.
DeleteWow - such beautiful projects Carla!!! I could only dream of doing that much applique and have it turn out so gorgeous! Lots of wonderful eye candy on your blog today!!!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Teresa! You are right a lot of stitches and a lot of years. I so enjoy this method of a making a quilt. I used to say that I pieced quilts so I would have something to hand quilt. So I am so glad that I discovered applique cause it is just as enjoyable to me as those hand quilting stitches. I still try to piece but it just doesn't give me the same joy!
DeleteAn interesting post Carla. All your projects are lovely but the Baltimore Garden is just beautiful! I saw a chart once that tracked different shapes through from beginner to experienced applique eg a fat leaf through to a fine one, depth of curves and so on. It gave me great insight into why and how some appliques are more straight forward than others!
ReplyDeleteThat would be very interesting chart. With these little flowers I find I have to be in the right mood and try not to work for too long, as they wear me out.. I find that with each one I do, they are getting easier and I am enjoying them more. It definitely is about practice and moving along one stitch at a time.
DeleteCarla your applique work is just fantastic!
ReplyDelete