State Birds Quilt - 1938 embroidery/redwork pattern
The State Birds Quilt was published in the Evening World-Herald: Omaha, Nebraska, by Nadine Bradley. It was published in 1938 through a series of newspaper patterns. There are 48 blocks in the entire series (there were 48 states at the time.)
The pattern given here is six inches square. It may be transferred with carbon paper onto a block of muslin, sateen or broadcloth nine inches wide by seven inches deep. A background color that will harmonize with many shades of flowers and birds is recommended. Two and one-half yards of 36-inch material will be sufficient to make the blocks for the entire quilt. The blocks are set together with four-inch strips and bordered by a five-inch piece of material. It will require two and one-half yards of 36-inch material to set the blocks together and make the border. Long and short stitch embroidery will best carry out the colors of the bird, but it may be made in an outline stitch if preferred. The flowers may be made in solid embroidery or outline stitch.


Note: I DO have all 48 states. I do not have quilt assembly instructions, if there even were any printed at that time, but they should be the standard instructions for assembly of any block square quilt.
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| When you are ready to make a
square, print it out and trace the design directly onto your fabric,
using the method which suits your style best. Per the original
pattern: Fold the pattern to determine the center and "Slip a
piece of carbon paper underneath - the sticky side facing the material
- and trace the pattern carefully with a very well pointed
pencil"
Today you can also use an inexpensive transfer pen available in sewing and craft stores. To aid in tracing you can use a quilting light box, or well-lit window as women of previous generations did. |






