Each year the Alliance for American Quilts has a fund raising challenge. This year's theme is 'New From Old' and this is my entry called "If The Baltimore Ladies Had Batiks". Now here is the story of how this 16 inch square found it's way into a box and got mailed off the the Alliance with my heart-felt prayers attached.
My 'new from old' ( new in the materials used and old for the age of the quilts that inspired the block) Baltimore block is hand appliqued using only batiks; it's hand embroidered and hand quilted with silk thread. I used a variety of applique techniques to make this piece - hand my hands hurt to prove it !
I found out about this challenge from a forwarded email from a friend - third hand news as it were. I had started making this square some years ago but had recently decided to finish off. It just happened that it is ,coincidentally, the precise size I needed for this challenge. The grand prize is the precise quilting machine that I have coveted and longer for since 2006 - but cannot afford - especially with the upcoming medical bills (and we all know what I mean about them - they never seem to end!). The deadline for receiving the quilts is on my birthday. Of course, despite the time that went into the block I had to give it a go and enter this block in the challenge. I know that is is very arrogant to think that I could possibly win - but I SO want that machine! I know that it would make me want to do more quilting again. I have found that the quilting is what I love to do and I am, it seems (according to the machine's envoys at quilt shows) quite facile with the machine already. Of course there are other wonderful prizes being offered by many great companies.
If you are not familiar with the Alliance for American Quilts you should be! They do so much to preserve our American quilting traditions. Have a look at their website - their membership fee is very reasonable at $25.00 and they do an awful lot with the money. It's a support worthy organization!The quilts will be auctioned off on Ebay for the fund raiser. If any of you are Alliance members who may not have entered anything yourself - please consider having a look at my entry. If any of you like this piece - it would be wonderful if you would consider bidding on it on Ebay. Thanks for looking and please consider supporting the Alliance if you love quilts and quilting and are able to afford the membership fee.
The back - batik as well of course!
