Red and White Quilts: Infinite Variety: Presented by The American Folk Art Museum

by Elizabeth V. Warren, Maggi Gordon, Joanna S. Rose

This significant catalog is a highly detailed look at the world’s most celebrated collection of red and white quilts. Like the Log Cabin or Baltimore-style, the red and white quilt is a hugely popular genre of quilting. Colorfast Turkey red dye became readily available in the mid-nineteenth century, so red and white quilts became extremely popular, due not only to the newness of the color but also because of the extremely vibrant and punchy contrasting color scheme. Featuring over 650 quilts from the past three centuries, this book is filled with the gorgeous and imaginative designs of feathered stars, diamonds, animals, oak leaves, baskets, lettering, and snowflakes, as well as fascinating examples of careful embroidery and appliqué. With inspiring handiwork, designs, and visual histories, this book exemplifies the sheer magnitude and poetry of red and white quilts and is a staple compendium of this beloved art form.

Genres: Quilting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Art

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2015

Reviews

[Amy Qualls · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. SO GOOD. This book is a definitive guide to a quilter's daydreams of what pattern to tackle next. I am amazed my friends who are quilters haven't bludgeoned me with a copy, yelling "read this NOW."

[Charli Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the catalog from an exhibit of 638 red and white quilts held at the Park Avenue Armory in 2011. The quilts were the collection of Joanna S. Rose, and the sponsor of the show was the American Folk Art Museum. Ms. Rose wanted to exhibit the quilts at a show in New York that would be free and open to the public as her gift to the people of New York in celebration of her 80th birthday. This catalog contains photographs of every quilt that was exhibited, organized by the type of quilt or pattern, along with essays about the quilts and photos of the magnificent multistory spiraling installation in the Armory. The collection is stunning, and the photos are excellent. Highly recommended.

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This quilt show happened many years ago and I’m just now learning about it. 650 red-and-white quilts displayed for only 5 days at the NYC Armory. The pictures of a spiral of quilts going up 45 feet and winding around a pathway are stunning.

[Dustincecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of anyone I know that wouldn't like this book!

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Folk Art Museum displayed an amazing collection of red and white quilts. These quilts are the backbone of quilting: made to be used. What a glorious exhibition of art!

[Lorry Chwazik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quilt porn of the highest quality!

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of photos of, well, red and white quilts. This would make a lovely coffee table book.