Baltimore Album of Roses

June 15, 2015

Verroca, who specializes in needle-turn applique, hand piecing, and hand quilting, presents a comprehensive guide to re-creating Baltimore Album quilt blocks. Traditional such blocks often feature floral or patriotic motifs, and this collection focuses on floral themes--specifically, the traditional style of a floral basket or bouquet surrounded by swags or bunches of flowers. Since they are inspired by nature, these designs often consist of irregular shapes and multiple layers, and Verroca's step-by-step instructions help quilters understand how to applique the numerous pieces involved in these complex blocks. There's also coverage of traditional embellishments for Baltimore Album quilts, such as hand embroidery and inking. A brief history of the quilts, as well as photographs of both contemporary re-creations and antique quilts, is included. VERDICT Traditional quilts are important to the history of American folk art, and Verroca's thoughtful guidance will lead quilters through the full process of creating their own heirloom-quality Baltimore Album quilt.

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