The McKim "Flower Garden Quilt" from 1932 -1933

       I will be uploading the original, historical patterns found in the Montgomery County Sentinel, Independence, MO.  for this famous Flower Garden Quilt before the end of this week. Excluding the picket fence border and the spinning floral quilt patterns that alternate between the floral blocks, all of the designs are made up with embroidery stitching. Below is the original article and the quilt map published in the original newspaper article (Friday, November 18, 1932). I was unable to find the directions in the archives for the tiger lily and the carnations. There were only the holes left by those who tore them from the papers! Those of you who are making this quilt will need to make up your own stitches for these two flower blocks. However, I have since located the patterns (line drawings) for these missing flowers and have also included the remaining 25 patterns with instructions linked below in the index.

A Riot of Color and A Dream of Beauty

       "Today, due to the fact that more people are forced through economic conditions to spend their leisure hours at home, the "quilting fad" is even more general than in 1931. It is sweeping the country like a cyclone, and bringing genuine enjoyment and profitable employment of spare time to thousands of women.
       Recognizing this, this newspaper has closed a contract with the celebrated McKim Studios, designers of the world's most beautiful quilts, whereby their latest creation - finished by them within the last few weeks - will be given to the women of this territory. Wherever quilts and quilt patterns are known, the name "McKim Studios" is as famous as the name Tiffany is famous in the diamond world. Other designers and syndicates have offered this newspaper quilt patterns, but we have declined all offers. Nothing but a "McKim" quilt will do. And now the world-famed MicKim Studios have come forward with their crowning creation in quilt designing - the "Flower Garden" patterns. The illustration below gives but a faint idea of it's beauty. But women who know quilts will be quick to realize what beauty can be wrought through these blocks; they can picture it as a riot of color and a gorgeous dream of beauty."

Here's The Plan… Here's How To Get The Quilt

       "All the charming variety of color and form that nature weaves into her flowers have been captured and conventionalized by McKim artists in designing these blocks for the "Flower Garden" quilt.
       The quilt combines applique and outline stitch most effectively, yet it is easily made by following the detailed instructions which are to be printed with each and every block. There are 27 blocks in the quilt, each block a separate and distinct unit.
       When these 27 blocks are set together they form a top about 66"x83" inches. The borders can be varied to make the quilt all that is necessary is to secure a copy of this newspaper each week, starting with the issue of December 2, clip the patterns, lay it on your choice of material, trace the lines through a sheet of carbon paper - and then finish the block, amount of material needed and helpful suggestions as to the most attractive material to use, will be printed beneath each block etc…"

 27 Quilt Blocks Appearing In the Montgomery County Sentinel:

1. The Lilac Embroidery Block
2. The Daffodil Embroidery Block
3. The Tulip Embroidery Block
4. The Iris Embroidery Block
5. The Nasturtium Embroidery Block
6. The Poppy Embroidery Block
7. The Canterbury Bells Embroidery Block
8. The Rose Embroidery Block
9. The Lily of The Valley Embroidery Block
10. The Carnations Embroidery Block
11. The Chinese Lantern Plant Embroidery Block
12. The Bleeding Hearts Embroidery Block
13. The Daisy Embroidery Block
14. The Sweet Peas Embroidery Block
15. The Tiger Lily Embroidery Block
16. The Cosmos Embroidery Block
17. The Water Lily Embroidery Block 
18. The Hollyhock Embroidery Block 
19. The Geranium Embroidery Block
20. The Delphinium Embroidery Block
21. The Trumpet Vine Embroidery Block
22. The Petunia Embroidery Block
23. The Zennia Embroidery Block
24. The Chrysanthemum Embroidery Block
25. The Pansy Embroidery Block
26. The Quilted Spinning Floral Design - for quilting
    
27. The Picket Fence Block - for piecing
    

The historical "Flower Garden Quilt" map by Ruby McKim, 1932.