This pattern was published in the Kansas City Star Newspaper in 1928.  This pattern is known as the Bird Life or Audubon Quilt. One pattern was printed each week, and the reader would carefully cut and save each piece until they had a complete quilt set.  These patterns were highly valued, many of them surviving for collectors and quilt historians of today.

The Bird Life quilt here shows the arrangement of the quilt blocks. Each pattern is of some favorite bird friend designed to fit into a 9-inch square of fabric. 

The twenty-four birds, running from the top and from left to right, are: Robin, jay, humming bird, wren, owl, dove, parrot, whippoorwill, woodpecker, oriole, swallow, blue bird, crow, chickadee, quail, cardinal, flamingo, stork, duck, kingfisher, eagle, pelican, penguin, and gull.

Here is a picture of a quilt I made with redwork embroidery. Redwork became a popular form of hand embroidery in the 1880's and lasted until the 1930's.   Redwork is a design embroidered using outline-stitch, typically done in turkey red.  (Turkey red is a deep rich shade close to DMC #304.)  Red was preferred since this was one color that did not bleed, they used a different dye process than we do today.  Redwork embroidery was frequently used to introduce young girls to embroidery work. Other colors were also used, mainly blue, black and yellow.

Many quilters recreate this pattern today!  The  pattern is suitable for coloring, painting, appliqué work, embroidery or a combination. You can choose redwork or bluework and make  your quilt as simple or elaborate as you wish. 

Any of the designs can be used separately for pillow tops, runners, tablecloths and other pieces for your home or for gifts.  

Notice how differently the quilt looks with different methods of stitching: