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April 1, 2013

Baltimore Blocks for Beginners

Filed Under Baltimore Album, Books, Prizes 

Happy April! No fooling here at All About Appliqué. :)

Last month, when we looked at
Baltimore’s County Cousins, I detected the Baltimore longing in many of the comments.

I’ve always wanted to do a Baltimore Album but frankly they do intimidate me.

I love applique but I’m not up for the more complicated patterns, yet.

I’m just now deciding that I can actually do some of this…

A Baltimore is on my bucket list…

Haven’t done a Baltimore quilt yet, but would love to.

Oh! I love baltimore album quilts but have never made one.

One of the things that has kept me from making my own Baltimore album quilt is the feeling that I need to wear formal attire!

These wistful reflections made it clear which book I needed to pull out of the cupboard next. May I present, courtesy of Martingale, Mimi Dietrich’s Baltimore Blocks for Beginners.

Subtitled “A Step-by-Step Guide,” this book is designed to to be a gentle and compelling introduction to the Baltimore genre that will get you started on your way at last!

Mimi, who lives in Baltimore, has been teaching Baltimore Album appliqué classes for over 30 years. Her most basic class is called, “My First Baltimore Block,” and this book is that class! It will take you slowly through all the techniques and elements of a basic block.

Rose wreath design.

There’s also a circle wreath and a crossed leaves design, as well as a gallery of different colorways to provide inspiration.

I love what Mimi says in the introduction: “There are many techniques, tools, and patterns for appliqué. All of these are correct, as long as you are comfortable and pleased with the results.” Yes! That’s what I believe too. Mimi presents her own favorite methods for successful beginnings.

The information covers fabrics, appliqué supplies, preparing the pattern and templates, cutting and preparing the shapes, and illustrated information on hand-appliqué stitch techniques, followed by step-by-step instructions for making your first Baltimore Album block.

Are you starting to feel like you can do it? You can!!!

If you’d like to win this book, please leave a comment here on this post before 7:00 p.m. California time on Friday, April 5.

Contest open to U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Do not click “reply” to your email feed. That will only send me an email and not enter you in the draw. Click over to the blog on the internet and leave your comment at the bottom of the post.

Good luck!
Until then,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Comments

47 Responses to “Baltimore Blocks for Beginners”

  1. Michele T on April 1st, 2013 5:16 am

    Beautiful work!! I love applique and this book looks amazing!

  2. Mary on April 1st, 2013 6:14 am

    I’d love to have this book, it looks really great!

  3. Joanna on April 1st, 2013 6:25 am

    Step by step is for me. I’ve been intimidated by these quilts as well, mainly because they finish so beautifully.

  4. Lori Ginsberg on April 1st, 2013 6:52 am

    thank you for the opportunity to win this lovely book. I share your appreciation for author’s who humbly tell their readers that there are many correct ways to applique. Part of the fun is discovering your own applique style.

  5. Paule-Marie on April 1st, 2013 6:53 am

    this looks like a great book. And it looks like it is less intimidating than Ellie Sienkiewicz’s books. Maybe I might make a Baltimore album after all

  6. Patti G on April 1st, 2013 7:11 am

    Would love to own this book! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

  7. Lisa Mikel on April 1st, 2013 7:18 am

    I would love to win this book. I have never made a Baltimore quilt and would love to try. Thanks for the chance to win.

  8. Pamela Adams on April 1st, 2013 8:46 am

    I am very new to appliqué. Would love to give this a go. Thanks for the chance to enter!

  9. Bonnie O'Neil on April 1st, 2013 8:53 am

    I have done one Baltimore quilt, & love it. Would love to own this book, as the patterns look great & easy to do. Encourage those that haven’t done one, to give it a try!

  10. Nita on April 1st, 2013 8:58 am

    Oh, I just about cried! A Baltimore Album for beginners!

  11. Stephanie on April 1st, 2013 9:03 am

    This book looks amazing….as close to a hands-on class with the author as you can get. Would love to win it! Thanks!

  12. Kathy Pennell on April 1st, 2013 9:15 am

    Would love to win this too! I am always intrigued at how great quilters all have different “tweaks” to their work. It is nice to read the comment of Mimi that whatever works for you is “right”. Thanks for the chance to win!

  13. Deborah Marshall on April 1st, 2013 9:35 am

    This book would be an awesome addition to my hand applique library… would love a copy of it!

  14. Rhonda Casey on April 1st, 2013 9:37 am

    Maybe, with the help of this book, I’ll be able to complete a few quilts I have waiting for the applique blocks to be finished.

    Thanks!

  15. Clairellen McLaughlin on April 1st, 2013 9:39 am

    Wow. Thanks for showing us this great new book and giving the opportunity to win it. Four of my grandkids live in Baltimore, 800 miles from me, so I’d be thinking of them while sewing.

  16. Suzanne McFadden on April 1st, 2013 9:42 am

    I too have always wanted to do a Baltimore Album quilt – they’re so beautiful! But they’ve always seemed so difficult, so thanks for offering this great book as a giveaway. Even if I don’t win, I think I’ll buy it.

  17. Judi R on April 1st, 2013 9:49 am

    I have one half finished attempt at hand appliqué! I really want to finish it as I love having hand work. This will motivate me to get it out and finish!

    I like the idea of a simpler Baltimore. I think if I had a small handwork group that met either every week or every two weeks, that might get me going!

  18. gab on April 1st, 2013 9:50 am

    Winning a book for the easy way to start would be great. It would definitely get me motivated.

  19. KatieQ on April 1st, 2013 9:55 am

    I love Baltimore Album quilts, but they always seem daunting. This book sounds like a great way to tackle one without being overwhelmed.

  20. Karen Crosby on April 1st, 2013 9:57 am

    You did mean April 5th, didn’t you?
    What a sweet book. I’d like to teach a friend to applique and this would be the perfect book.
    karen608 at yahoo dot com

  21. Teresa on April 1st, 2013 10:04 am

    I love Mimi Dietrich designs and have nearly all her books, but I don’t have this one and would be so happy to add it to my library. Thank you for this generous give away.

  22. Deb G in VA on April 1st, 2013 10:12 am

    I would love to make a Baltimore Album quilt and Mimi’s book looks like a great way to get started! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of it!

  23. Donna Fuqua on April 1st, 2013 10:12 am

    I’m so glad you introduced this book to me. I’m unable to attend classes due to a disability and this book is just what I need to learn. Looking at the pictures makes me want to get started right away on the most classy quilt there is, and with this book it seems I may not feel overwhelmed or intimidated by this large beautiful quilt. I think everyone should make at least one Baltimore quilt and with the help of the book I just may be able to do it. Thank you for your generous giveaway. I am crossing my fingers now!

    Donna

  24. Kathy Lancaster on April 1st, 2013 10:17 am

    Love applique. I need to practice, practice, practice. Hope I win.

  25. Deb L on April 1st, 2013 11:39 am

    I would love to win this book as I am definitely a beginner when it comes to this.

  26. Celeste A Childress on April 1st, 2013 11:44 am

    I need something to do with my hands. This book would provide that.

  27. Sharon Lichter on April 1st, 2013 12:01 pm

    I love the look of Baltimore Album quilts, but I need the less complicated blocks. This book looks like it would fit me to a T.

  28. Jennifer Padden on April 1st, 2013 12:17 pm

    I’m confident that I can do a Baltimore album quilt, just not sure I have the time. But I’ve been trying to figure out what is the difference between a Baltimore album applique and a sampler applique? Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  29. Laura on April 1st, 2013 12:30 pm

    I think book would be good for the non-beginner too. The patterns look just right for the freezer paper applique technique that I use. I love the author’s remarks that whatever appliquetechnique is good if you are pleased with the results.

  30. Janis on April 1st, 2013 12:51 pm

    Count me in with all the others that would love to make a Baltimore album quilt one day! Thank you for making it feel like a reachable goal. I would love to win this book.

  31. Shirley on April 1st, 2013 3:08 pm

    Love applique – this book has some lovely projects. Would love to win a copy. Thank you for giving us a chance to win one….

  32. Sandy A in St. Louis on April 1st, 2013 3:29 pm

    Oh, these look easy enough that even I could do them! Please count me in!

  33. Patricia Faye on April 1st, 2013 3:38 pm

    I ‘m relatively new to applique so would love to win this book. I’ve never made a Baltimore quilt but would love to try.
    Thank you for a chance to win.

  34. Becky on April 1st, 2013 4:21 pm

    This looks doable! I’ve only recently taken up applique and am enjoying it so far.

  35. rrjane011749 on April 1st, 2013 4:37 pm

    Such a pretty block!

  36. ritainalaska on April 1st, 2013 4:55 pm

    love baltimore albums and have a b garden book that i love to read, but i’ve not even made one baltimore block yet. would love to swin the beginner’s book to start me out. thanx for the chance to win it.

  37. Gail on April 1st, 2013 7:10 pm

    [I do hope you meant April 5th.] I would love to win the book. I’m ready now to start my first Baltimore Albumn Quilt.

  38. Chris on April 1st, 2013 10:28 pm

    I would love to have this book. Maybe then I would have the courage to start a Baltimore Album. It is intimidating to say the least.

  39. Wanda on April 2nd, 2013 3:51 am

    I’d love to win this book. I know how to applique but have not done a Baltimore album quilt yet.

  40. Sharon Buford on April 2nd, 2013 11:41 am

    What a great prize – I love hand applique and would love to try this techinque

  41. Eileen Keane on April 2nd, 2013 6:23 pm

    I’m just starting to get my feet wet with the Roseville Album. I’d like to try a Baltimore Album just to know for myself that I can do the work.

  42. Tracey on April 3rd, 2013 7:35 am

    This is just what I’ve been looking for!!

  43. Beth Strand on April 3rd, 2013 4:21 pm

    I’ve made two blocks using another book and realized I need a simpler approach. I’d love to win this one! Thanks for the opportunity.

  44. Karen on April 4th, 2013 10:13 am

    I have amassed quite a collection of online examples of these stunning Baltimore Album Quilts but have yet to commit to purchasing any pattern books. These quilts look so daunting despite their beauty. I would love a book that could take me through doing one block, step by step. They truly are magnificent!!

  45. sandy on April 4th, 2013 6:41 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.I have been collectiong bits of fabric with this im mind. Looks like a lot of fun.

  46. VickiT on April 4th, 2013 7:38 pm

    Oh my gosh, how wonderful a beginner book? I’d love to do learn to make this.

  47. Grace miller on November 22nd, 2013 7:41 pm

    I love Mimi ‘s books I have one right now. I would love to have this Baltimore book because it is to have instructions and I need that sometimes. Thanks for writing another pattern book grace millet