Steampunk Baltimore

In my last episode of the podcast I promised that I would share photos from the Dallas Quilt Show that I went to a week and a half ago.  I finished up editing my photos this weekend and after looking through them I decided that I’m going to break this up into two posts.  In this post I want to share with you my favorite quilt of the show, and because it was my favorite I took a ton of photos.  In order to do this amazing quilt justice, I want to feature it in this post.  Look for my next post to see the other quilts that caught my eye at the show.

Here is the info about the quilter and her inspiration for this quilt.  Being that I love all things Steampunk, this quilt immediately stopped me in my tracks.  And the fact that it puts a twist on a very traditional style of quilt, a Baltimore album no less, just adds another layer of interest.  Baltimore album quilts have always intrigued me because of their beauty and the intricate appliquéd blocks.  And you’ll see in my next post that there were several beauties in this style that I loved.

Ok, so let’s look at the quilt.  Here’s the top half of it and you get a better look at the texture the quilting gives the quilt, especially in the borders with the gears.

The bottom half of the quilt.

And a closer look at the quilting in the borders.  I love the “screw heads” – they absolutely help to reinforce the spirit of this quilt.  And I love love love the bronze-colored thread used.  The other thing that really struck me about this quilt – notice the fabric she used for the sawtooth border.  Completely traditional fabric in a very unconventional quilt.

See how those screw heads pop, both in the outer border and also you can see them in the inner pieced border as well.

And here’s a closer look at the center of the quilt.  Notice the hoop in her left hand and the spool of thread in her right.

Closer look…

And of course you can see the heart locket opens, but I didn’t see a quilt angel nearby to give me a closer look.

And to the right of the lady is a little placard with the name of the quilt.

Here is a closer look at her birdcage skirt.  The ribbon with the key dangling on it is attached to the quilt and is an actual ribbon and a key, not part of the quilt.

Now let’s look at the blocks, because they are masterpieces in and of themselves.

This one is unfortunately blurry, but was the only close up I had of this block.  The banner says “Industry”.

Imagination.  Notice the Edison bulbs that are in the center of the flowers.

The Steampunk goggles block that apparently were the leaping off point for the idea of this quilt.  And below the goggles is Hospitality.

Another blurry photo, unfortunately.  Loved the birdcage corset.

A ship on a barrel on wheels with fans at the back?

Friendship.  Notice the quilted key as well as how you can see the inner workings of the hand.

Mechanized eagle.

Harmony.

The textured quilting in the background of each of these blocks just make the appliquéd portions pop.

My favorite thing, a big stack of books!  Notice the key and keyhole.

Flight.

And here’s a last look at this beauty.  I could seriously sit and stare at this for hours.  Sure wish I could have brought it home with me!!!

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that this quilt was the Viewer’s Choice winner, as well as being a first place winner in the Master’s division.

I am grateful for something to aspire to.