1928 was a big year for Ruby McKim. As we saw last week, she became the Home Arts editor for Better Homes and Garden.
The Kansas City Star decided to regularly publish quilt patterns. They would continue to do this for 33 years and there are whole books published on the patterns featured in the paper.
Ruby designed patterns for the KCS from 1928 until 1931.
One of these was "Bird Life" which is sometimes referred to as the "Audubon Quilt". The pattern was released in 1928. A lot of quilters are birders and this pattern remains popular:
In 1929, Ruby offered the "Flower Garden Quilt" series. I'm guessing but I suspect this was one of her most popular quilt patterns. It was featured in a number of newspapers.
The popularity of this pattern might have been why McKim offered two other quilt patterns, The "Wildwood Quilt" and "State Flowers Quilt" were similar. The blocks were intended for embroidery or applique and most of the ones I've seen are embroidered. Quilters sometimes followed the pattern others diversified it to fit their own decor. The one I own is one such pattern and features seafoam green borders.
This pattern was used in a number of quilt contests sponsored by newspapers as well. Not only did the Indiana Star newspaper use this pattern for a quilt contest in 1929, it repeated the contest in 1976--with a special division for pieces that had been started in 1929!
In the early 1930s, "Wildwood Quilt" was featured
The State Flower pattern was also used frequently for quilt contests:
In 1930, another McKim pattern was published the "Farm Life" quilt was and remains a very popular pattern. It was originally published in the Kansas City Star. The Omaha World-Herald used the pattern for a contest in 1931.
The pattern is still a favorite with quilters. In particular, the pig block I've seen in a variety of present-day settings. This piece is a doll quilt from my collection:
Wishing you a safe and happy day!
My maternal grandmother embroidered those Wildwood Flowers but never made them into a quilt. I found them in my mother's stuff after she died. I sewed them into a wallhanging which is hanging in my office right now. This quilt is such a treasure and blessing. Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteFun to see all the embroidery patterns that were used for contests. Ruby McKim was very prolific and I'm sure American women were delighted by her talent.
ReplyDeleteI am completely in love with these quilts with the varied embroidered blocks. The vintage look is just so beautiful. I will be looking up some of these, Michele. Thanks so much for sharing.
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