Ruby Short McKim had a huge fan base in the quilting and needlework community starting in the early 1930's to this day. One of her best known quilt pattern books, 101 Patchwork Patterns, was originally published in 1931. This is one of the earliest, and largest, pieced quilt pattern collections which will continue to be a quilter's classic addition to any library. It also includes examples of quilting designs, some applique patterns and even embroidery designs.

This is a great resource of historically valuable designs and instructions to inspire you creative quilter muse.

This book has been republished with the original 1931 edition cover (see below).

Ruby McKim’s classic book brings together historical research, a treasury of early American quilting designs plus, a significant serving of practical 30's quilting methods. You will find a variety of nostalgia-evoking patterns, some of which are not commonly seen today. There is something for both the novice and experienced quilter to learn is in this book.

Due to the socio-cultural climate of the time (this being that it was assumed that the majority of the book's readers were already well practiced with sewing) you may find less instruction than we find present in modern quilting books. However, as the whole process of quilt making is pretty straightforward this should not be problematic for the modern reader with moderate sewing experience. Please see pattern directions and instructions included below as an example.

Unlike modern quilting book there are no color photographs, step by step instructions, or finished project displays. Neither is there mention of modern time-saving methods such as chain-piecing, etc. However, there is a great deal of genteel charm present in both the text and line drawings.  Furthermore, contained within the 127 pages are black and white diagrams of each pattern listed below along with simple assembly instructions including color suggestions for recreating those charming 1930's reproduction quilts plus the material requirements.

This book is a boon to the quilt collector in assisting to identify those glorious vintage quilts finds or to those who are passionate regarding pieced quilt work by their own hand. Create your own family heirloom! Your craft library will be more complete with this text gracing your shelves! Add a special value to the each quilt that you make, because you will be able to tell the story of the original quilt design.

Table of Contents:

Chapter I. CHOOSE A PATTERN - Piece or Patch. Quilt Names. Simple and Complex Quilts

Chapter II. QUILT MATERIALS - Favorites for Patchwork. Interlining. Lining
Chapter III. CUTTING AND PIECING - Cutting Out. The Appliqué Process. Piecing

Chapter IV. SETTING TOGETHER - Various Methods. Quilt Sizes.
Chapter V. BORDERS

Chapter VI. QUILTING PATTERNS - Methods of Stamping.  Perforated Patterns

Chapter VII. QUILTING THE QUILTS - Marking Out . Apartment Quilting. Putting Into the Frames. The Quilting Techniques.

EMBROIDERY QUILTS - Bird Life. Flower Garden. Roly Poly Circus.

ORIGINAL QUILT DESIGNS - Butterfly Quilt, Honeymoon Cottage, Iris, Nosegay, Pansy Appliqué, Patchwork Pansy, Rose, Trumpet Vine, Tulip

READY CUT QUILTS - Blazing Star, Cherry Basket, Crazy Ann, Grandmother's Flower Garden, Irish Chain, Lone Star, Noonday Lily, Pine Tree, Rainbow, Wedding Ring, Rising Sun, Rose of Sharon

Patterns included are:
Album, Arabic Lattice, Aster, Baby's Blocks, Basket of Oranges, Bear's Paw, Beautiful Star, Beggar Block, Bird's Nest, Blazing Star, Broken Dishes, Burgoyne's Quilt, Cherry Basket, Churn Dash, Clay's Choice, Corn and Beans, Crazy Ann, Cross and Crown, Crossed Canoes, Double Nine-Patch, Double Irish Cross, Double Wedding Ring, Dove in the Window, Drunkard's Path, Dutchman's Puzzle, Eight Pointed Star, English Flower Garden, Feather Edge Star, Fish Block, Flower Pot, French Bouquet, French Star, Friendship Ring, Fruit Basket, Goose in the Pond, Goose Tracks, Grandmother's Cross, Grandmother's Fan, Grandmother's Flower Garden, Grape Basket, Greek Cross, Hollyhock Wreath, Honey Bee, House on the Hill, Indian Hatchet, Jack in the Box, Jacob's Ladder, Kaleidoscope, King's Crown, Lafayette Orange Peel, Little Beech Tree, Log Cabin, Lone Star, Maple Leaf, Merry Go Round, Mexican Star, Milky Way, Mill Wheel, Monkey Wrench, Necktie, Noonday, Lily, Ocean Wave, Old Maid's Puzzle, Order No. 11, Palm Leaf, Pieced Star, Pineapple, Pine Tree, Pin Wheels, Rambler, Ribbon Border, Rising Sun, Road to California, Road to Oklahoma, Rob Peter to Pay Paul, Rolling Star, Rose Appliqué, Rose Cross, Seven Stars, Shoo Fly, Skyrocket, Snail's Trail, Spider Web, Spools, Square and Compass, Steps to the Alter, Strawberry, String Quilt, Sunbeam, Sunburst, Susannah, Swastika, Triple Irish Chain, Tulip Appliqué, V Block, Virginia Star, Weathervane, Wedding Ring, Whirlwind, Wild Goose Chase, Windblown Square, Windmill, Windmill and Outline, Winged Square,  Wrench, Zig-Zag.