Jul
10
News bits
Filed Under Designers, Quilt shows | 2 Comments
An amazing, amazing appliqué icon is the latest to be inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame.
So lovely. Do you recognize whose work this is? Click on over to the Martingale blog Stitch This to read all about it!
In other news, I received a message from the Road to California show that class registration for 2016 opens tomorrow morning. If you’re planning on attending this fantastic show and convention, jump on it so you don’t miss out on registering for your favorite class or event.
More news on a local Santa Cruz event coming up!
Until then,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Kay’s Etsy Shop
Apr
1
Baltimore Blocks for Beginners
Filed Under Baltimore Album, Books, Prizes | 47 Comments
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
Jan
9
Mimi Dietrich tutorial!
Filed Under Freezer paper on the back, Photo tutorials, Prepared edge | 2 Comments
Wow, what a treasure! Over on the Martingale blog Stitch This! there’s a hand appliqué tutorial from appliqué icon Mimi Dietrich.
Mimi is the author of many wonderful appliqué titles. In this illustrated tutorial she gives the “freezer paper on the back” method, complete with stitching tips. Thanks Mimi!
Not only that, Martingale has put her book Mimi Dietrich’s Favorite Appliqué Quilts on sale at 40% off this week. And I was very tickled to see that this sale also includes my book Inspired by Tradition. Now that’s good company!
Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Dec
1
Baltimore Basics
Filed Under Baltimore Album, Books, Borders, Designers, Hand appliqué, History, Needleturn, Patterns, Prizes | 48 Comments
Have I got a good one to show you this time! It’s Mimi Dietrich’s classic, Baltimore Basics: Album Quilts from Start to Finish.
What a delight for the appliqué enthusiast! Mimi, a Baltimore native and lifelong resident, is an authority on this amazing quilt form that has hooked so many of us on appliqué.
Mimi begins by presenting food for thought in planning your quilt, considering options, making decisions, and getting organized. This is not your quick-and-easy type o’ deal. These are more like thoughtful, measured, long-range projects that you should enjoy all along the way.
Next comes a great idea — printed layout mockups! You can photocopy the block thumbnails, cut them apart, and try them out in several pre-printed arrangements to see what you like best. Very cool.
Then there’s a whole beautiful section giving fabric yardage and cutting instructions for a wide variety of sizes and settings. Mimi really helps you design your own quilt.
After giving information on fabrics and supplies, Mimi takes you step-by-step through several methods of preparation for hand appliqué. She encourages you to try them all to see which is your favorite. Then comes detailed information on hand stitching, plus sections on the stems, circles, baskets, and bows that we see so commonly in Baltimore Album. Since Mimi also knows dimensional appliqué, she throws in folded rosebuds and ruched flowers.
Then, of course, there are the 12 beautiful block patterns reminiscent of old, each one accompanied by a color photo of the stitched design.
The book ends with how to sew your blocks together, how to make appliquéd borders, and quilting and finishing your big or little masterpiece.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
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