Inspired by the events and activities of their daily lives, quiltmakers in preindustrial America produced colorful covers in extraordinary numbers. Titles for their handiwork ranged in theme from biblical (Job's Tears, Garden of Eden) and historical (Lincoln's Platform, Underground Railroad) to sociable (Always Friends, Next-door Neighbor). As the nation expanded, many of the same popular designs continued to spring up elsewhere under new names. Birds in the Air, for example, was also known as Flying Birds, Flying Geese, and Flock of Geese, and Pickle Dish was often called Indian Summer or Indian Wedding Ring.
For this abundantly illustrated index, veteran quilter Susan Winter Mills has collected over 700 of these splendid designs, organizing them according to their most prominent geometric configuration — stars (Caesar's Crown, Blazing Sun), triangles (Blindman's Fancy, Basket of Triangles), circles (Queen's Crown, Rebecca's Fan), squares (Stepping Stones, Stained Glass), and combinations of figures (Clover Blossom, Crazy Ann). The comprehensive volume also includes an appendix with 139 additional quilt patterns, plus useful suggestions for drafting templates for the featured designs. This indispensable reference book will be prized by quilters, quilt collectors, and lovers of American folk art.