Yukiko Hirano Baltimore Album quilts

When the incredibly talented Japanese quilter, Yukiko Hirano, passed away in 2010, her husband Takeo Hirano wanted to make sure that her work lived on for others to enjoy.  These four incredible Baltimore Album quilts were on display together in a setting Mrs. Hirano would find fitting and complimentary for her exquisite work. 

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Baltimore Album Quilt II by Yukiko Hirano

Mrs. Hirano was inspired by Baltimore Album quilts and couldn't resist making her own.  She mastered the art of applique, as well as the art of color placement, as exemplified in these quilts.   

Baltimore Album Quilt I by Yukiko Hirano

The precise hand quilting was done with thousands of tiny stitches in a grid pattern. The appliqued leaves and flowers were done with a trapunto effect.

 

Baltimore Album Quilt III by Yukiko Hirano

 

Many of the elaborate applique blocks in these four quilts were inspired by the books about Baltimore Album quilts written by Elly Sienkiewicz. 

Baltimore Album Quilt IV by Yukiko Hirano

This stunning quilt won Mrs. Hirano the coveted Founders Award at the 2005 IQA Judged Show.  It was the first time she had entered her work in an international competition. This is an excellent example of how well Mrs. Hirano knew her subject matter: applique and the Baltimore Album style. The pale hues and floral border give this quilt a springlike feeling.

Image credits: Photo were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt show in Salt Lake City, Utah.