Baltimore Appliqué Society
Founded in Baltimore, MD, in 1993 to preserve antique quilts and promote the art of appliqué
Welcome to the BAS Website! The Announcements, Newsletters, Resources and Slideshows are only available to members, but please browse the rest of our site to learn about our group.
Join Us! Don’t live in Baltimore, Maryland? Neither do three quarters of our membership! What do they know that you don’t? Find out here
BAS on Facebook
Visit us on Facebook! We have two groups:
- Baltimore Applique Society Group - open to anyone interested in applique
- Baltimore Applique Society (members only) - open only to current paid BAS members
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BAS March 19th General Meeting - Zoom Only |
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Betty Ford-Smith started making Pine Cone Quilts in 2004 under the apprenticeship of a 92 year old African American woman in Sebring, Florida, after Betty saw her beautiful hand sewn quilts. The apprenticeship with Arlene Dennis, known as Miss Sue, went on for 6 years and Betty completed 2 quilts under her supervision. After Mis Sue passed away in 2010, Betty wanted to teach others how to make Cuckleburr quilts which is the name Miss Sue used for these heavy unique quilts. Betty taught a few individuals at her antique store in Sebring and then started teaching this technique at the South Florida State College in adult education programs. Her first recognition was a Highlands County Lifestyle full page news paper article in 2005 and from the Lake Placid Arts and Crafts Festival with a ribbon for the People’s Choice Award in 2007. Her quilts have been recognized on exhibit at the Jenkins Gallery in Winter Park, Florida and on exhibit at the South Florida State College Museum and twice at the Florida Museum of History in Tallahassee, Florida. An international quilt blogger, Katell Renon in France has written several articles about Betty and her Pine Cone Quilts, one article can be found in the French magazine Les Nouvelles, Patchwork et Creation Textile No 132 2017. The article speaks about the folded fabric technique that she shared while conducting workshops in France. Betty has been honored and excited to have her quilts exhibited at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky and one in their permanent collection, The Texas Quilt Museum in LaGrange, Texas, the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska and a Green pinecone quilt in their permanent collection, The Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee, Florida and at the Sebring Historical Society, Sebring, Florida. One of her Pinecone/Pineburr quilts was recently acquisitioned to the Smithsonian collection from Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi’s collection of quilts. Betty was born in New Rochelle, New York in Westchester County. Her mother taught her to sew by hand a blouse and skirt before using a sewing machine when she was 10 years old. Her 6th grade Home Economics teacher encouraged Betty to further her appreciation for this lifelong skill through fashion shows and pattern making. She still has her first Singer sewing machine her parents purchased when she was in 7th grade. She developed an appreciation for construction, patience, color coordination, vintage garments, quilts and old stuff. Betty received an Associate Degree in Fashion Design, Art, Dance, Music and Drama from Bennett College in Millbrook, New York, a Bachelors Degree in Art, Dance, Music and Drama from Bard College, Annandale on the Hudson, New York, a Masters in Special Education from the State University of New Paltz in New Paltz, New York and a Masters in Educational Administration from the State University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She has been a Fashion Designer, Dance teacher, Home Economics teacher, a teacher for Emotionally Disturbed Criminal Teenagers with drug and alcohol abuse, teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired, teacher of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, a Special Education Staffing Specialist, an Assistant Principal and a High School Principal in her 38 year educational career Her first book with C&T Publishing is Pinecone Quilts: Keeping Tradition Alive – Learn to Make Your Own Heirloom The Zoom meeting will open at 6:30pm for chat, the Business meeting will start at 7pm. |
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Quaker Baltimore Album, Date 1850
The pattern from this antique quilt was produced by members of the Baltimore Appliqué Society, compliments of Debby Cooney and Ronda H. McAllen whose research reflects that there were Quakers, who lived in Maryland and the Baltimore area from the late 17th century. Many Quaker women were dedicated quiltmakers, using silks in the somber hues of their dresses as well as colorful glazed chintz furnishing fabrics. This Baltimore Album quilt reflects names that show the Quakers participated in making some of the over 400 quilts completed between about 1844 and 1858 that are known today. The high-style blocks, ruched roses in baskets and bouquets, chintz appliqué, plus simple appliqués and piecework, are all nicely balanced to create a handsome gift or memento of friendship or kinship ties.
Quilt size 88” x 75”. Legible Names on the Quaker Baltimore Album quilt are Hannah S. Atkinson, Elizabeth Herica, Louisa Morgan, Thomas Morgan, Sarah Ann Atkinson, and initials CC or GG dated 1850.
The price for the pattern is $50.00 + $12.00 shipping (MD residents will also be charged 6% state sales tax). Proceeds from the pattern sales will go to the BAS.
Baltimore Applique Society 25 Year Anniversary Block
The Baltimore Appliqué Society, established in 1993, is currently celebrating its 25th year. Over the years BAS has raised money in a variety of ways, including making raffle quilts and creating patterns from museum quilts. BAS has provided financial support for organizations including the American Quilt Study Group, the Maryland Historical Society, the Marie Webster House, the Maryland State Fair, the Virginia Quilt Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
When Marylou McDonald was asked for possible ideas for a Baltimore Appliqué 25-year block pattern, she created this special pattern, "The BAS 25 Year Anniversary Block". The pattern is for a 20" x 20" block, and includes a flower from each quilt which BAS has produced. The 25 berries represent the 25 years of the BAS.
The price for the pattern is $15.00 + $1.56 shipping (MD residents will also be charged $0.90 state sales tax ). Proceeds from the pattern sales will go to the BAS.
Baltimore Applique Society 25 Year Anniversary Charm Stamp
Another Charmer is the 5.5” x 5.5" Custom Charm Stamp designed by Debra Gabel of Zebra Quilts. This is a wonderful block to experiment with. One can add it to a tote bag, pillow, t-shirt, or use it as a label, frame it, or add it to a quilt. The possibilities are endless! Proceeds will go directly to BAS. (The central patterned area is 4" x 4")
The price for the charm is $6.00 + $0.60 shipping (MD residents will be charged $0.36 state sales tax).
