Baltimore Album Quilt Patterns

Anything Quilted at Edge Center Gallery

The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork is showcasing pieced, appliquéd, scrap, and bargello quilting methods in Anything Quilted from Aug. 4 until Aug. 27. Many of the quilts on display use traditional patterns, such as the Baltimore Album, Sunbonnet Sue and Amish style, while others are original designs. The Opening Reception at the Edge Center Gallery is on Friday, Aug. 5, from 1 to 3 p.m., coordinating with the Bigfork Valley Hospital Auxiliary Arts and Crafts Show in the Bigfork School.

Why are traditional as well as non-traditional quilts considered as art to be hanging in the Edge Center Gallery? In 1971, a quilt exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York City mounted an exhibit of traditional quilts. These quilts were chosen for their visual interest and impact as well as museum quality craftsmanship. Because this exhibit was much different than art museums had previously presented, it marked the beginning of acknowledging traditional quilting as not only a craft, but also as art. At this point in time there was a collision of art movements and social movements that propelled quilting into prominence. The art critics were re-evaluating all the fine crafts and considering them as fine art. Abstract painting was at the height of critical acclaim, allowing quilt patterns to be admired as graphic design. At the same time, the women's movement created interest in what was once considered women's work, and previously beneath notice. When art critics reassessed quilts in light of these changes of attitude, the color relationships, strong patterns, and beauty of the quilts led to their being appreciating as art.

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Baltimore Album Quilt «

I signed up for a year-long Baltimore Album quilt class at a local shop called Happiness is Quilting . This is actually the first quilting class I’ve ever taken, and I’m very excited about it. Our first class was a couple of weeks ago and I’m already feeling very inspired and full of ideas. If you’re not familiar with the style, this is a Baltimore Album Quilt:

It’s all needle-turn applique and each block has a lot of symbolism for the woman who made the quilt. I think traditional Baltimore Album quilts are lovely, but I was really inspired to make one after seeing the wide variety of traditional and contemporary ones on display at Quilt Festival in Houston last November. I really like the idea of personalizing the traditional blocks to tell the history of my family.

Our homework from week one was to choose our background fabric and our focus fabric, and to create a papercut block .  I’m still stuck on the fabric choosing part. Background fabric is traditionally white or cream on BAQs, but for a truly modern quilt, a colored background would be gorgeous and unexpected. The focus fabric sets the color palette for the whole quilt so it’s important to choose a fabric that you truly love. Here are the options I’m considering:

Option 1 is a Jo Morton 1850s reproduction print that is very traditional, with that rich poison green color I love so, so much.

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