Indigo Quilts by Kay Triplett

Author:Kay Triplett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C&T Publishing

MIXED TECHNIQUES

Cherry Baskets

70˝ × 80˝ (third quarter 1800s)

It is important to remember that when this quilt was made, the attempt to give specific names to blocks wasn’t a part of the culture. Starting in the late 1800s, specific pattern names were published. Not until Barbara Brackman’s “notebook” were all the different variations on the patterns noted and a number assigned. In 1930 in the Kansas City Kansan, Ruby Short McKim published a series of patterns meant to be used to create an album quilt of 25 different patterns set together with alternate plain squares to be quilted with a feathered wreath.173

The pattern series was picked up by other newspapers throughout the United States. The first block of the series was called Cherry Basket. Ruby McKim stated, “In this day when the old-fashioned hand-made quilt has staged such a spectacular comeback, we are delighted to offer our readers such an ‘all-star revival’ as is grouped together in the Patchwork Quilt.” She even suggests blue and white as a possible color combination, along with other alternatives such as “odds and ends of wash material” or perhaps orchid or pink and green.

She also suggested that this particular pattern was good because you only have to piece half the blocks (with the other half being plain fabric with a simple appliqué handle). The pattern was also shown in her book Patchwork Patterns, Series Number 1, published in Independence, Missouri, and in her Book No. 631c. In the 1930s using the free pattern published in newspapers would have been an easy option for the homemaker wanting to emulate her grandmother’s needlework.

Ruby McKim goes on to say that the block is always set together with alternating plain squares. Oh, how wonderful the result, if one ignores the status quo! When the blocks are set directly next to each other, two amazing secondary designs are created. A sort of Templar cross is formed where the handles come together. The other secondary design is the white grid punctuated by white diamonds outlined in indigo.

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