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As you can see from this 21st century version of a Baltimore album quilt, this American art form continues to inspire artists around the world. Miyuki Hamaba of Japan has been making quilts for about 20 years and says quilting is the spice that adds excitement and pleasure to her life. The inspiration for her stunningly beautiful Baltimore Album style quilt was one she saw at an exhibition about ten years ago. "With You" was two and a half years in the making.
In the bottom row of blocks (second from the left) a hand-embroidered quote from Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop" reads "Where there is great love(s), there are always miracles."
Hamaba says, "There is nothing special about my appliqué. I just keep every piece's seam allowance to three millimeters, fold it, and sew; that is all. Appliqué needs careful and refined work."Label
"I've liked sewing and making handicrafts since my youth, and it was about 20 years ago that I actually started making quilts. Among all kinds of handicrafts, I especially loved quilting because with quilting I can make a number of things, such as bags, pouches, and tapestries. Even though I spent most of my time over the last 20 years raising my children, quilting is something I can do in small moments of time.
Quilting is the spice that adds excitement and pleasure to my life. I sew my time into my quilts. Just as people listen to music albums cherishing the memories, I look at my quilts and remember the time when I was making each of them. I believe quilting enriches my life."