Emporia Rose Appliqué Quilts: New Projects, Historical Vignettes, Classic Designs

Brackman (Quilts from the Civil War) and Menaugh, a quilt teacher, present seven new projects inspired by the still astonishing quilts made from the 1920s through the 1940s in Emporia, Kans. The projects celebrate the unique work of a group of Kansas quiltmakers whose quilts are world-renowned for their design and workmanship. The women included Rose Good Kretsinger and Charlotte Whitehill. Kretsinger’s appliquéd “New Rose Tree” inspired Brackman’s center block of the nine-block “Emporia Rose Sampler”; Whitehill’s “Calendula” shares commonalities with the “Spice Pink” block used in the sampler and a table runner. Brackman and Menaugh discuss the stunning original quilts and their makers in the first half of the book; the second half explores the modernized projects—bedcovers, pillows and pincushions—plus so-called “bonus” ideas, as well as advice for the advanced quilter. Although the book is more history than how-to, the techniques include the rudiments of appliquéing, piecing sawtooth, and mitering corners. The modern interpretations are especially appealing for their golden yellows and warm reds. (June)