Bling Bling Baltimore Appliqué Quilt

Description

Inspired by classic Baltimore-style album quilts, this quilt pattern by Wendy Whellum shows you how to bring traditional designs into the 21st century with bright, funky print fabrics.

A sew-along published as a two-part set
Full materials list included in Part 1
Detailed step-by-step instructions illustrated with close-up photos take you through each stage of making this project from cutting the fabrics, preparing the appliqué, stitching the blocks and border through to assembly, quilting and binding
The project features four traditional appliqué blocks each measuring 20in square and an appliquéd border that’s 11in wide
Large blocks mean that you only need to stitch four to make this quilt
All appliqué shapes provided full-size, ready to trace
Instructions are for needleturn appliqué, but they can be readily adapted to suit the appliqué method of your choice
Use the block patterns to make smaller projects such as cushions, wallhangings or tote bags (no instructions supplied)
Suitable for quiltmakers with intermediate skills

Designer

Wendy Whellum

Who taught you your crafting skills? My grandmother taught me to knit, embroider, dressmaking and cooking. The rest I taught myself from books, as I needed to know. I went to classes if I wanted to learn something new and that my books didn’t have information on.

Any good stories from those lessons?Yes! Follow the instructions. Read them first before you cut up all those bits of fabrics.

From where do you draw inspiration? I love antique quilts - both the simple everyday quilts made from scraps and the luxurious appliquéd quilts made by the ladies of leisure. I have a large collection of books about antique quilts, and can spend a lot of time poring over the pages.

Do you teach your skills to others? Yes, I have been teaching for about 10 years. I have a regular class at one of our local quilt shops, and also teach for guilds or quilting groups and retreats whenever I get the opportunity.

How would you describe your style? What makes it unique? Reproduction style, but I use lots of bright colours. Friends tell me they can always pick out one of my quilts because of the colours. I try not to match too much, and I like to choose the colours at random.