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by Ruby S. McKim (Author)
This is one of the finest of all the available books on the making of patchwork quilts. The author is recognized as having been one of our country's leading authorities on this venerable art, and in this book she divulges many a secret that will assist you in making quilts of the highest quality.
The book contains over 100 patchwork patterns, with complete instructions for cutting and sewing. All conceivable sorts of designs are diagrammed and carefully described: flower designs, rainbows designs, Irish chains, fish and bird and leaf designs. The book shows you, step by step, all the details of making each kind of quilt: it covers choice of pattern, piece vs. patch quilting, simple and complex quilts, choice of quilt materials, interlining materials, lining and thread materials, cutting and piecing, the applique process, various methods of setting together, quilt sizes, borders, scallops, flounces, valances, straight line and close shell quilting, methods of stamping, perforated quilting patterns, quilting the quilt, putting into frames, quilting in a small space, embroidery quilts, and many other topics.
The book is written in an entertaining manner. The author weaves a great deal of rosy humor into the lining of her instructions, as well as some interesting facts about the history of quilting, quilt materials, patterns, and some really choice folklore about the origin of the highly ingenious names of the patterns: Monkey Wrench, Road to California, Lafayette Orange Peel, Drunkard's Path, and Crossed Canoes, to name a few.
The book is not technical in any sense of the word. You can use it to make beautiful quilts provided only that you know the fundamentals of sewing.
