I’ve noticed a number of quilting sites that offer free patterns for various projects.  Among those with interesting patterns is Goldern Quilts, which offers “free quilt patterns from past issues of McCall’s Quick Quilts.”
The directions are very precise and give fabric amounts, pattern pieces, and construction  tips.  Some of the patterns are:  Summer Spirit, 30s Something, A Beary Merry Christmas, A Day at the Beach, Americana Star, Autograph Album, and many others.
            For more pattern ideas, you can always pick up a book of patterns.

I carry with me an envelope containing pieces of old fabric from a quilt my mom and dad received as a wedding gift in 1934.  If Mother ever told me who made it, I don’t recall now and wish I could.  I think it was someone in her family.
The quilt contained many pieces and was hand stitched.  Mother used it on the guest room bed.  In later years it must have been used for “every day” because when I found it, after Mother became ill with Alzheimer’s, the quilt was tattered, worn, and torn.  My daughter and I can salvage …read more

             Quilts with a flower garden theme often remind me of my grandmother who taught me to make patchwork quilts.  Then when I see the Grandmother’s Flower Garden design, I think of the lovely flowers that abounded in the yard of her farmhouse.    We had flowers at our farm, but nothing compared with those at Trails End Farm. 
I have photos of family gatherings.  Somehow the background for many was the flowers that grew in their gardens. 
(The Dresden Flower Graden book above also brings to mind the lovely dinnerware Nanny brought out for special meals we enjoyed around her dining table, …read more

When I was a child, we made cards with floral designs, created May baskets for flowers, and looked forward to seeing spring flowers bloom.  Leaving May baskets at someone’s door and dashing away before they appeared became a custom in many places.  Although we didn’t do this, we children did make baskets and collect flowers for Mother.
Also, in some areas, there are May poles which children dance around.  Mother told of celebrating this way at a one-room school house where she once taught.
         Why not consider basket quilts or May basket fabric creations?  Basket design quilts were very popular in days ago, …read more

Ruby McKim’s quilt patterns, instructions, and history now appear in the e-book, Two Hundred and One Vintage Quilt Patterns.  These include the patterns and information in her famed book, 101 Patchwork Patterns, that quilters have enjoyed for years.

        Ruby McKim wrote the classic quilt pattern book, 101 Patchwork Patterns, many years ago.  She became well-known in the quilting world before she died.
Now her granddaughter, Merrily McKim Tuohey,  with the encouragment of Ruby’s family, has set up a web site,  McKim Studios , with stories of her life, quilts, patterns, and other treasures.
At WomenFolk.com, you’ll also find more information about Ruby McKim and her life.  It was through this site that I was led to the McKim Studios.
If you have Ruby’s famous book in your collection, have used any of her patterns, or looked to her work for reference, …read more