Baltimore Album Quilts originated in Baltimore, Maryland in the 1840s. They have become one of the most popular styles of quilts and are still made today. These quilts are made up of a number of squares called blocks. Each block has been appliquéd with a different design. The designs are often floral, but many other motifs are also used, such as eagles and landmarks.
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History of the album quilt
In the beginning, these quilts of appliquéd blocks were often designed by the maker. In time, patterns by accomplished designers were used.
Baltimore Album Quilts reflected the prosperous community of Baltimore, the second largest city in the United States until the civil war, as most were made not with scraps, but with new fabric. As the popularity of this quilt style grew, women far beyond Baltimore began making these album quilts.
Most Baltimore Album quilts were signed. The discovery of an indelible ink made it possible to ink flowery poetry and sayings along with a signature on each block. It appears making these quilts were especially popular with young women. Many included blocks each made by a different person.
Selected works
 An Album Crib Quilt (c. 1850), part of the collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art. |
External links
- Baltimore Museum of Art Textile Collection
- Home of Marylou McDonald's Baltimore Quilts website.
- A tour of the quilts at the Maryland Historical Society.
- Baltimore Album Elegant Sampler Quilts
- The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy
- Quilter's Muse Publications and Virtual Museum
Resources for further reading
- 2003: Elly Sienkiewicz. "The Best of Baltimore Beauties: More Patterns for Album Blocks" ISBN 1-57120-149-1
- 1995: Sandi Fox. "For Purpose and Pleasure: Quilting Together in Nineteenth-Century America" ISBN 1-55853-337-0
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