Ruby McKim: Redwork Embroidery & Pieced Patterns
Ruby Short McKim designed some of the most delightful pieced and embroidered quilts to come out of the 1920s and 30s. She was a graduate of the Parson's School of Design and I imagine that this art background was what influenced her to design some of her patterns in the Art Deco style. A delightful example is her set of animals created in geometric straight lines instead of curves. In contrast her Roly Poly Circus is designed using round shapes. Both of these sets of designs would be delightful in redwork.
All of her patterns were not children's themes. Her innovative pieced flowers also demonstrate the influence Art Deco had on her patterns. To the right are examples of her flowers.
Over the years she designed a number of quilt patterns and produced kits for many of them. She also published her patterns and designs in magazines, newspapers and her book, 101 Patchwork Patterns.
To my delight I've found a site, McKim Studios Revival, that Ruby McKim's family has developed. The site includes a page on Ruby McKim's life and memories from her family and friends. I love these personal bits of writing that tell us what the real person was like.
McKim believed the house should be attractive and used her artistic abilities to design pillow cases, towels, aprons, quilts and even icebox bags to store fresh vegetables. Be sure to visit the "treasures" section to find many of these items. If they don't have a Ruby McKim pattern they will try to find it for you.
