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.
 |
| 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!
