My Baltimore Blocks

21 December 2006
Some months ago I would not have believed it. Me even thinking of starting a Baltimore quilt was as likely as pigs flying to the moon. I had only seen one picture of one, and I did not like it. Quite apart from the fact that it was applique.
Although my very first few lessons in quilting were from Dilys Fronks, who taught needleturn applique, and I had done some applique later, I always tried to avoid it like the plague. I would rather do curved piecing if possible.
It was in starting Carol Honderich's 'Women of the Bible' quilt that I got stuck when the block for that week was 'Lover's knot.' Even I could not see my way to do that in curved piecing. So I thought I really had to get to grips with this technique. I ordered Elly Sienkiewicz 'Baltimore Beauties and Beyond.' This was after someone had written to me that she was doing a Baltimore quilt and I had told her that she must have a lot of patience. I could never see me doing it.
The book came and I looked through. Twelve lessons which seemed possible to follow. I put the book in the bookcase as I did not have time just at that moment.
Then Judy told me about the Baltimore list. There it was again. Me and Baltimore? No way. She invited me because at least I could learn about applique. I thought that was a good point and I accepted the invitation.
Joining that list changed my life. I was stunned by the beautiful work and the infectious enthusiasm.
Within days I decided to work through the lessons, and because I could not wait until I had ordered 10 meters of background fabric, I used some that I had already for the first block.