Bloggers Quilt Festival

It's Bloggers Quilt Festival time again thanks to Amy's Creative Side!

I'm entering my quilt into the Applique Quilts category.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2014/10/24/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2014-edition/

Several years ago; I took a class to learn a new applique technique called "Back Basting". We started with Baltimore Album blocks. I took me over one year to do nine blocks. When it came time to put the borders on
I realized that I didn't buy enough white on white fabric and by that time the fabric was out of print. And so the quilt top sat in my closet for a long time.




Until the beginning of 2014 I decided to complete some of my WIP. I decided to take part of the Baltimore blocks apart and make individual Wall Hangings out of three of them. I have other plans for the rest of the blocks.

The "Rose Wreath with Red Birds" is one of my
favorites. A truly Traditional Block dated 1854, it can be found in  "Baltimore Beauties  and Beyond" Volume One by Elly Sienkiewicz.

I used needle turned applique along with the back basting method for all of the pieces. I find that using YLI silk threads are best for
needle turn applique - it seems to make your stitches almost invisible.


(If you're interested in learning the back basting method there is a very good easy to follow tutorial By Sentimental Stitches)

After taking this block apart from the others; I thought that it could use ...something. so I decided to  hand embroidered around the turquoise flowers and center hearts using a simple blanket stitch. I think it gives it a little more texture and interest.

To keep with tradition this quilt is hand quilted with straight line quilting on the diagonal. Also, some echo quilting around the leaves and flowers.

The binding is done the Sharon Schamber way. You can find her video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE  HERE

After the binding was done I needed to add a sleeve. There are many tutorials on the internet but my favorite
is Susan Brubaker Knapp's
http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-make-quilt-sleeve.html

I am very happy with the way this wallhanging came out - it measures 20' x 20' and would certainly brighten up any space.

Many Many beautiful quilts in this
festival - Hope that you'll go and 
take a look!