Baltimore Applique Preparation

For my course I am working on two samples using Baltimore Applique.  This type of applique was fashionable in the USA about 150 years ago.  It may look dated to us but the intricacy of the hand stitched pieces is admirable.

 

I have started the first sample using a pattern from a book by Mimi Dietrich called 'Baltimore Blocks for Beginners'.  I find her books very useful as they do take students through the methods in great detail.

 

This type of applique is hand stitched and there is quite a formal style to the patterns but the methods used are traditional and once learned are useful for other interpretations.

 

I have all my hand stitching to do but will put images of the preparation work here as a start and follow this up later on with additional comment when I have the two samples completed.
 

On the left is the pattern I have chosen and on the right is it copied to fabric.  This was done using a light box. There are other methods we can practice in our Sunday quilting sessions.

Pick out a selection of fabrics to use for the applique.


If the shape is repeated, for example the leaves, or is something you may want to use again, then a template cut from plastic is a good idea.

See the bird, leaf and flower shapes here.


Other shapes are cut from freezer paper and then these are ironed on to the back of the fabric, shiny side down.



When cutting out the shapes from your fabric leave a generous 1/4" seam allowance all around. 

Sometimes a fabric may have markings or a print which can be used to enhance the shape you cut out. In this case you can use what is known as 'fussy cutting'. The leaf shape cut from card shown here is an example. Cut a window in some card the shape of the pattern piece and place on your fabric in different positions to see how the markings on the fabric can improve the look of the applique shape. 

Stems are created using bias strips (and here a bias strip maker is useful)  These rosebuds are small squares of fabric folded and later will be hand sewn in position.

Most parts of the design are prepared, including some perfect circles to be gathered like Suffolk Puffs for the berries.  Thread and applique sharps hand sewing needles are ready.  The next phase will be done sitting in front of the TV.  With luck pictures of the completed block will follow in due course.

The second block I have planned has some dimensional flowers in the design which will be useful as I think that would be an enjoyable activity for one of our sessions What do you think?