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.

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More Free Quilting & Patchwork Patterns

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 only portions here and there.

We’d like to find some old fabric or reproduction fabric that matches so we can add to the pieces we have.  So I carry a few pieces of the different fabrics with me as I travel around the country.  Although I haven’t found the fabric yet, I keep hoping.

In the meantime, searching for this old fabric brings me new friends in the quilting world.

  Although my quilt isn’t techincally a “puzzle quilt,” it’s a puzzle trying to find old fabrics that match the ones originally used for the quilt. 

 It’s also interesting to find that some of those fabrics aged more than others.  One fabric has practically disintegrated while another is whole but faded.

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Searching for Old Quilt Fabric

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, the same table where she, my aunt, and a neighbor lady spread out quilts for tying.)

My daughter, Beth, has a tendency to create flower themes in her quilts and fabric art work.  Below is a piece of fabric she painted using some new techniques.  Of course, the resulting design resembled flowers and is one of my favorite pieces.

During this month of May, with flowers gathering into bloom, it seems appropriate that our theme at the Arts and Design channel is flowers, with Grandmother’s flowers and gardens coming to mind. 

(See more of Beth’s work at Meandering Threads.)

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Flower Garden Inspired Quilts Remind Me of Grandmother

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, but still can be made today in traditional and modern patterns. 

The basket also makes up well for pillows, tote bags, even clothing.

You also may want to check out this pattern for a basket quilt made from scraps.

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Happy May Day for Quilters

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Ruby McKim’s Quilt Patterns Included in E-book

        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, you’ll find both of these sites about her fascinating.

       And here is another of Ruby McKim’s quilt books.

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Ruby McKim’s Story & Quilts on Granddaughter’s Web Site