The ISAIAH MERCIER/EMORY CHURCH QUILT REPRODUCTION PATTERN SET is now available.
Click here for more information.

The 2008 BALTIMORE ALBUM QUILT ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR is available!

Another must-have for admirers of Baltimore Album Quilts! This week-by-week spiral-bound appointment calendar book contains full photographs of twenty six antique Baltimore Album Quilts - many of which have never been previously photographed, displayed or published. This is more than just a calendar as it compares similar blocks, gives detailed descriptions and history based on current research of the twenty six quilts. The quilts in this calendar are divided into Styles 1, 2 and 3 and showing that there were most likely several designers in each Style.

Calendars can be ordered by printing and completing the Order Form. There will only be a limited number of the 2008 calendars printed. A portion from the sale of each calendar will go to the Baltimore Appliqué Society. In addition, while the supply lasts, we are offering for sale the 2007 BAQ Engagement Calendar for $10 each.

Upcoming Programs

May 21, 2008: Faye Labanaris -- "A Tribute to Celia Thaxter"

June 18, 2008: Karen Griffith -- Howard County Historical Society

The reproduction Mercier Quilt will be back from the quilter and on display. Karen will be talking about the makers of the antique blocks. At this time, raffle tickets will be distributed to all members for distribution to sell.

Upcoming Workshops, Road Trips and Retreats

May 24, 2008: Faye Labanaris Workshop

The Saga of the "Wreath Quilt"
By Janet Esch

The year was 1997, the first year that Polly Mello was president. BAS was broke. It was difficult to fulfill the purpose that had been established in 1993--"to support…efforts to preserve Textile Collections." Ann Christy as chair person of Programs suggested that a wreath quilt be created to raise money. Support for the BAS was strong and many energetic members wanted to make a block for a raffle quilt. To keep things simple the request was placed in the newsletter for members to make a wreath block of their own design on a light background. Within six months, in 1998, blocks began to pour in. Members also sent extra fabric that could be used for the center block.

When all the blocks were turned in Chris Miller designed the center wreath using the elements from all the individual wreaths. Anita Askins appliquéd the center block and pieced the blocks together. The top was finished. But the big job of quilting remained. That job was given to Ann Christy. Since BAS really had no money, Ann bought the batting and backing herself, as well as five large spools of thread. The quilt is 108" wide. And the quilting began.

When I first saw the wreath quilt in October of this year, it took my breath away. Of course the colors are bright and the flowers are beautiful and the work is fine, but it was the signatures that made me feel "tinglely." I hope you know what I mean by that kind of feeling. Here were thirty-two blocks, stitched by women who cared about the Baltimore Appliqué Society from different places of the United States and the world. Here is the whole story of the Baltimore Album. A collection of different forms, different levels of skill, all volunteers, all working together to create a beautiful quilt for a cause. It is indeed Baltimore Appliqué Society's Album quilt.

Having joined the Baltimore Appliqué Society in 2001, I do not recognize many of the names. Some women have died, some are off our current record, some have moved on to different places and different interests. Chris Miller, where are you? What a creative center design that incorporates something from each wreath, from Geckos to blueberries to a Ruched rose. But we have their work. And the work represents a community--the reason why I got a bit breathless when I first saw the quilt. And I believe the same feeling comes from all the beautiful antique Baltimore Albums that were made by many people, mostly women, joining in a common goal. In a fractured world that feeling of community must be celebrated and upheld.

We celebrate this community by showing the individual blocks (on the web) and by giving names of the women who gave to this quilt.

Why did it take almost ten years for the Wreath Quilt to be finished? A lot of action was taking place. Other quilts were raffled and patterns copied--that giant "Samuel Williams" quilt for one, and the "Baltimore Beauty" donated by Marjorie Mahoney. Patterns were copied from the "Elizabeth Hervey" quilt and are still being sold. And of course the silent auction for the Lovely Lane Museum happened. Today our bank balance looks a lot better. We are able to donate money to many "Textile Collections." Our current raffle project, the "Mercier" quilt is just getting quilted. It will raise money for Howard County Historical Society.

Ann Christy was given many different deadlines for finishing the quilting of the "Wreath Quilt." Having met the final deadline, she handed the quilt to Margo Cramer who completed the binding and washed it. After the Mercier quilt raffle ends--that will go on for eighteen months--the "Wreath" quilt will finally be raffled. It is waiting and ready!

Contributors: A1. Marylou McDonald, Grapevine; B1. Jane McCabe, Four petal flower wreath; C1. Anita Askins, Rose wreath with interlaced vine; D1. Ellie Layman, Blueberry wreath; E1. Eleanor Turner, Pomegranate wreath; F1.Chris Miller, Grapevine; A2. Jan Carlson, Five large and small red flowers; B2. Fiona Gray, Tudor Rose; C2. Judith Thompson, Print flower wreath; D2. Mary Stewart, Spring leaves; E2. Ann Christy, Three flower wreath; F2. Grace John, Cherry wreath; A3. Susan Hinzman, Ivy wreath; F3. Kay Smith, Rosebud; A4. Pamela Budesheim, Morning Glories; F4. Della LeConte, Swirling Tulips; A5. Kay Siuta, Vase and flowers; F5. Joyce Wilson, Pansies; A6. Robbyn Robinson, “Surrounded by angels”; F6. Joy Nichols, Red Roses and small blue flowers; A7. Kelly Meanix, Hollyhocks; B7. Marian Price, Daffodils; C7. Linda Tonyes, Anthrus, Geckos and Swallowtail butterflies; D7. Barbara Pearson, “I love Ireland”; E7. Rita Gallent, Red and green wreath; F7. Rita Ruszezyk, Paper cut wreath; A8. Diane Gates, Hibicus wreath; B8. Carol W. Mesimeo, Rose and rose buds; C8. Berta Murray, Strawberries and leaves; D8. Polly Mello, ribbon wreath; E8. Emily Koon, Ruched rose; F8. Barbara Burnham, Cherry wreath with banner.

Supporting Organization - Seminole Sampler

Those of us in BAS who live in the Baltimore/Washington area are extremely fortunate in that we have many excellent Quilt Shops available to us. Seminole Sampler located in Catonsville, MD has been exceptionally supportive of our efforts. In addition to allowing us the use of their classroom for workshops, they have set up a special Fabric Corner in the shop where they feature Baltimore Album fabrics, books, thread and notions. In recognition of their consideration of our needs, the Baltimore Appliqué Society is naming Seminole Sampler a Supporting Organization both in our Newsletter and on our website.

The Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Quilt patterns are now available.
This is the Baltimore Album Quilt that was auctioned by Northeast Auctions in NH in February 2006 for $58,000. This antique quilt is one of the very finest examples of a Baltimore Album Quilt not only in design but also in workmanship. Jan Whitlock, the owner of the quilt asked me to make patterns by tracing her quilt and copyright them in the name of the Baltimore Appliqué Society, with all of the proceeds from the sales of the patterns going to the BAS. This will help the BAS to continue their efforts to preserve and promote the art of appliqué and quiltmaking and to support museums in their efforts to preserve their textile collections including antique Baltimore Album Quilts.

The pattern set includes 25 - 18"x18" patterns, 4 - 18"x18" corner border patterns and 4 - 11"x90" border patterns, information on the history of the quilt and blocks and a CD-ROM containing a picture of each block for reference.

The patterns can be ordered by printing and completing the Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Quilt Pattern Order Form.

Marylou McDonald
President, Baltimore Appliqué Society

The Brown-Turner Album Quilt
By Debbie Cooney

A distinct group's contribution is notable--the Turners, Browns and Creamers. Members of that extended family worked on an album quilt at the same time as Maria Williams and the O'Laughlin family on the Samuel Williams quilt in 1846. It is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York... The museum believes that Susan Turner made her own and at least three other blocks; her daughter Margaret also made and inscribed at least three. Most of the blocks are generic album quilt compositions--wreaths and pots of flowers of a few pieces and little layering. Susan Amanda Turner's floral wreath is more accomplished with various flowers, some layered, joined at the base with a knotted bow.

Mary Ann O'Laughlin contributed the blue eagle with flags and garland that became the quilt's center. It is virtually a duplicate of the center square of the Williams quilt, signed by Samuel Rankin. Lizzie Morrison gave an almost identical urn with heart-shaped wreath and birds; this time signed more formally, "Elizabeth Morrison." Mary Ann Hook made two more rather rough squares for this effort.

Eight members of the Turner clan gave blocks to the Williams-O'Laughlin quilt--Mary Brown Turner, Susan Amanda Turner, Thomas K. Turner, Helen Brown, Margaret L. Brown, Ann Brown, Jane L. Creamer and Sarah R. Creamer. Many of their blocks are very similar on both quilts. While colorful and well done, these less elaborate blocks were set around the more complex central section. Only Susan Amanda's Watson urn shows stylistic innovation.

The Brown-Turner blocks probably were made by Mary Turner, but they were not joined into a quilt until the 1860's or later.

BAS Sales

Note Cards:

• City Springs......$5.00 plus 6% tax ($0.30 ea) for MD residents only
• Folk Fantasy.....$5.00 plus 6% tax ($0.30 ea) for MD residents only
• Album Blocks...$8.00 plus 6% tax ($0.48 ea) for MD residents only
• Thank you.........$8.00 plus 6% tax ($0.48 ea) for MD residents only
• Grapes..............$8.00 plus 6% tax ($0.48 ea) for MD residents only
• Pieced..............$8.00 plus 6% tax ($0.48 ea) for MD residents only

This is a card from Album Blocks

This is one of the Thank You cards

Pins:

• Swag Pin...........$5.00 plus 6% tax ($0.30 ea) for MD residents only
• Dome Pin...........$3.00 plus 6% tax ($0.18 ea) for MD residents only

Books: Lavish Legacies

• (hardcover/autographed)...$75.00 plus 6% tax ($4.50 ea) for MD residents only

The following links are from earlier in the year:

-- the feature on Mimi Dietrich from the January 2007 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Judge Illona Hull from the October 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Patty Harants from the September 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- Spring 2006 Show and Tell

-- the feature on Phyllis Twigg from the May 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- pictures and information from our Quilt Party held March 19, 2006.

-- the feature on Judy Shapiro from the April 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Faye Labanaris from the February 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Barbara Nuss from the January 2006 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Margo Cramer from the October 2005 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- the feature on Anita Askins from the September 2005 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

-- Jean Reger's Trunk Show from the September 2005 meeting.

-- the feature on Anne Connery from the June 2005 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

At the January 18, 2006 meeting, Marylou McDonald presented a program of the quilts of Lovely Lane. She gave details of the history of the quilts and provided illustrations that were shown at the Lovely Lane Museum Quilt Show held November 3-5, 2005. Marylou McDonald was featured in the November 2005 edition of the Society Sampler newsletter.

In November 2005, Jan Carlson had the honor of curating an invitational exhibit of Baltimore Album Quilts at A Quilter's Gathering in Nashua, New Hampshire. By choosing to feature quilts made by BAS members Jan had the great opportunity to increase awareness of the work and history of the Baltimore Appliqué Society. Follow this link to see some of the fabulous quilts from "A QUILTER'S GATHERING".

Follow this link to access presentations and features from previous years.

Clarification of dues: The membership period runs from September 1 through August 31. If you join from June to January, dues are $20 ($25 foreign). However if you join after January, from February through May, dues are prorated at half--$10 ($12.50 foreign). If you join during the summer, your dues become part of the following membership period that begins in September.