Nov
21
The most intriguing part of quilting
Filed Under Baltimore Album, Designers, Hand appliqué, Quilt shows
My booth at the Tokay Stitch ‘n Quilt Guild’s show the first weekend in November was situated so that I had a lovely view of a Baltimore Album quilt, just down the aisle a bit. Of course I was drawn to it with strong magnetic force. I was so tickled and touched when I read Thelma Welch’s description:
“To me appliqué has always been the most intriguing part of the quilting craft. When a Baltimore Album class was offered in 1992 I signed on. All 20 blocks were completed years ago and put together with sashing from Smithsonian Baltimore Album 1850 reproduction fabric. Due to indecision about what border to use, as well as some burnout and a desire to do other projects, it was put away for many years. Finally, at the urging of my daughter, I designed a border and began hand quilting in January, finishing in July 2008.”
I’ll let you look at the quilt now and then tell you the final sentence. :)
“Since reaching the age of 83 I like to say it was on my Bucket List.”
OMG! The woman was 67 when she signed up for a BA class and 83 when she designed the beautiful border and hand quilted the whole thing! You go girl!
I flagged down the president of the Tokay guild and asked her to send Thelma my way if she was at the show that day. A little while later, Thelma showed up, dressed in a fetching black and white outfit with pearls (as all the guild members in honor of their 25th anniversary) and some really cool tennies, proud as punch of her quilt, and when I made my request she seemed very pleased at the prospect of having her quilt up on a blog, especially since now her friends and relatives back east would be able to see it.
The blocks are “mostly Elly” with a few Thelma touches thrown in. For instance, a cow in one of the blocks was swapped out for a cat. She changed flowers here and added a bird there. The cutest thing Thelma pointed out was the variation in the peacock’s tail… “It was before we had the shaded fabric,” she told me with a chuckle, “so that’s the Clorox.”
Here are a couple of the gorgeous blocks. Whew, I sure hope I’m as spry, gracious, and productive as Thelma when I’m 83!
Until next time,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs
Comments
4 Responses to “The most intriguing part of quilting”
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Wow! What an inspiration for all of us!! Thank you for sharing this on your site!!
Robin
Wow! Good for her. It is a beautiful quilt.
I just found your blog through Maria Peagler’s blog. This is a wonderful post. What a great gal. Love the ‘Bucket List’ I hope I am still quilting at her age.
[…] was there I was so happy to see guild member Thelma Welch once again. Two years ago I blogged about her unbelievable Baltimore Album quilt, and at about 85 years of age, Thelma is still at it. Look at this elephant quilt that is one of […]