Family Ties: Old Quilt Patterns from New Cloth

I ordered this book because I wanted to make one of the star quilts Talula Gilbert Bottoms made and Nancilu Burdick discussed in her book "Legacy: the Quilts of Talula Gilbert Bottoms." I also was interested to see the pattern for the Whig's Defeat, for the pattern is entirely pieced, a most curious practice for such a pattern. What I discovered set me onto a new research trail in my study of Southern quiltmaking. Every quilt is pieced, even the Crossed Tulips and similar patterns that are now appliqued. Preliminary discussions lead me to believe this practice was common in Southern quilts of a certain era and group. The patterns themselves are well-drawn. And seeing the historic models and the contemporary pieces that reference them gives one an idea how to carry forward the work of earlier quilters while working in the fabrics and colors of one's own time. That, I think, is what tradition is about---not mere copying older quilts, but rendering them in one's own venacular. This slim volume is worth more than its price.

This is probably my favorite quilt book -- and I have a lot of them. I don't know why I am so intrigued by the vintage quilts featured in this book, but I find it amazing that Talula spent her whole life making quilts and so many of them survived. I intend to make at least a few of her patterns in vintage-stype fabric so my children will be able to enjoy the family heirlooms as well. If you like vintage quilt patterns you'll love this quilt book with a personal history wrapped inside.

I am the author of this book, a sequel to my first book, Legacy: The Story of Talula Gilbert Bottoms and Her Quilts. New quilts are made by old patterns and shown in color. New quilts feature 5 members of Kenan Quilt Guild, Lockport, NY. Quilters have responded favorably to Family Ties.