Thursday, March 1, 2012

Inspired by a Baltimore Garden Quilt

Thanks Kathie, for the glowing review of Baltimore Garden Quilt !
I have enjoyed your blog for a long time, obviously - since we are both -
INSPIRED BY ANTIQUE QUILTS.
http://inspiredbyantiquequilts.blogspot.com/2012/03/back-in-sept-2010-i-went-to-quilt-show.html


Cover of  Baltimore Garden Quilt
And here is where this book began, in a parking lot. Oh my! Well, I guess that's better than buying an old raggedy quilt from under a sleeping dog, or pulling it from a trash bin.... Fortunately for me, a quilt in such sad condition (and unrespected) was affordable, and this old dog of a quilt followed me home.


Here is a better photo of the antique quilt. Hopefully she will never touch asphalt again, safe with me.


Beyond repair, these beautiful applique designs, and the floral quilting between them, inspired me to make a reproduction quilt. As I traced the patterns and stitched the new quilt, I kept a journal which became the book Baltimore Garden Quilt, and I am thrilled that it is now published by American Quilter's Society.

Within a wreath (bottom center) was stitched in tiny cross-stitch "M.E.C. 1848" so I named the reproduction quilt "M.E.C. Remembered." After her tour of quilt shows across the U.S., the reproduction quilt will be exhibited on "Author's Row" at the American Quilter's Society Quilt Shows in Lancaster, PA - March 14-17, 2012, and Paducah KY - April 25-28, 2012. Hope to see you there!

For more info on the book, and the AQS shows, here is the link:  http://www.americanquilter.com/

"M.E.C. Remembered" at 2010 AQS Show in Lancaster, PA

23 comments:

  1. It's a beauty! So glad you saved her.

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  2. I'm working on a 25 block applique right now and I've seen your book a couple of times now on blogland. Oh to have more time! I shall follow along as others make blocks and post. This is a real beauty, so glad you claimed it and honored the original quiltmaker. Welcome to blogland, it's a great group of quilters that hang around here!

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  3. What a stunning quilt (both times round :-) yours and MEC's)Welcome to blogland and congratulations on what looks a superb book, I will be grabbing a copy asap. I'm coming over for the Paducah show this year so will make sure I see the quilt hanging, I don't want to miss that. I've been working on reproducing the Maltaville Album Quilt from the same year, 1848.
    I'm interested to know, "what are you working on now" after a quilt like that, are you having a well earned rest or embarking on another beauty.
    cheers
    Margaret

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    1. Thanks Margaret, have fun in Paducah! What I'm working on now is class samples, for classes based on these patterns. I already have two finished small quilts made with patterns from the M.E.C. quilt, plus a one-block top, and more blocks, all in different colors. As I get time, I will be posting some of those, to show how you can vary your quilts using these patterns or just parts of them. So keep following!

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  4. Welcome to blogland and congratulations on your book.

    Thank goodness you rescued that magnificent quilt! Your reproduction is stunning!!!

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  5. Got my copy in the mail yesterday, and spent the afternoon cherishing all the pictures. I like how you put the photos next to each other like Kathie said in her review. The front cover block is just delightful & I have not seen one like that before. One more to say thanks for saving this group of patterns from the grand dame quilt!! If only quilts could talk--where has she been--what has she seen?? Your work is just gorgeous.

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    1. AQS deserves much of the credit. Their staff designed the layout and cover beautifully. I LOVE the flag! It was amazing to see how the graphic artists took all my hand drawn patterns and sketches and made them clean and clear.

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  6. The original quilt is so intriguing. Your copy is absolutely beautiful.

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  7. Welcome to blogland. I need to get a copy of that book. Just gorgeous....

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  8. it's breathtakingly beautiful....i have been sooooo tempted by BA quilts since visiting the seminole sampler in catonsville, md; home shop to mimi dietrich...from where do you hail barbara?

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    1. I am just a few minutes from Seminole Sampler. Mimi is my hero. She got me hooked on applique!

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  9. Your quilt is absolutely heart-stopping! I am a devoted follower of your blog already!

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  10. Barbara,
    I've heard about your book on various lists. I'll be at the Lancaster show later this month; can't wait to see the quilt in person! Hopefully, there will be enough copies of your book for me to purchase one at the show.
    Congratulations on being published by AQS!!

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    1. Hope to see you there! If you find me, please introduce yourself. I always enjoy meeting people who love the old quilts!

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  11. I gasped- way out loud reading that you found the antique quilt lying like that in the parking lot...
    even in the state you found it, this quilt is beyond beautiful and I am glad it found a good home with you. Thank you for sharing it with the quilting world. I will definitely be getting a copy of your book. Even if it is just to drool over day in and day out :-)
    So many beautiful things to make, so little time.

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  12. What a beautiful quilt. I am going to order your book. Thank you for sharing your patterns with all of us.

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  13. Hi Barbara! We just saw your book last week and we're so excited about it! We're planning to run it as a block of the month through our shop, but I had a couple of questions for you. I couldn't find an email address anywhere, but if you have a few spare minutes, could you drop me a note at shop@commonthreadsquilting.com?

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  14. Congrtatulations Barabara. I look forward to your posts.

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  15. Congrats on a very nice looking book. I will be on the lookout for this one.

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  16. So happy the quilt ended up with you, so for sure she will never end up on asphalt again! Looking forward to reading your book!

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  17. Wow! What a beautiful quilt and a wonderful find. I'm sure it will never see the ground again.

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  18. Thank you for sharing this quilt's story here and preserving it in a book. The book looks amazing and I look forward to having my copy soon!

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  19. I only have one word.....WOW!!

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