Introducing...Vintage 30's Ruby's Treasures!

We've been talking around it all week, and today's the day to share it! Next week at Quilt Market we'll be debuting Barbara J. Eikmeier's Vintage 30's Ruby's Treasures collection, created in conjunction with McKim Studios. This fabric line pairs popular 30s-style prints with the embroidery designs of Ruby Short McKim. 

And the panels:

Q. Where did the inspiration for these fabrics come from?

Barb: We started with fabric that was in Ruby’s archives. We found these little kits that had actual fabrics in them and we ended up using three—the pink diagonal plaid with little flowers on it is my favorite. We also used the blue and yellow tulips, and the stripe.

Q. Where else did you find fabric inspiration?

Barb: There are two scattered little dot prints. I have a stuffed Scottie dog my grandmother made me out of 2” squares. The dot print came from the dog.

The little flower sprigs came from Sunbonnet Sue blocks that my 97-year-old friend’s sister had made.

I also “shopped” my friend’s 1930s DWR quilt, and chose a print from there.

The other prints came from 1930s scrap bags that I have bought at estate sales over the years.

Q. Tell us about the embroidery panels.

Barb: Because 2016 is the 100^th anniversary of Ruby’s first pattern being published, her granddaughter Merrily wanted to do a big celebration. When we first started talking, I thought it would be nice to include some of the panels. I personally like preprinted panels—don’t have to trace. In the McKim Studio Revival, these two (farm life and flower garden) were the most popular. The blocks are 8-1/2” square between the dotted lines and are printed on a solid antique white. I’m really excited about all the opportunities to use these panels!

Q. And how do the Painter’s Palette Solids fit in?

Barb: We selected nine solids from the Painter’s Palette collection that coordinate beautifully with the 30s prints. You’ll see these solids in upcoming projects featuring Vintage 30’s Ruby’s Treasures.

 

From upper left: 121-005 Bright Yellow, 121-024 Orchid, 121-025 River, 121-032 Waterfall, 121-039 Jade, 121-049 Coral, 121-069 Carnation, 121-078 Bubble Gum, 099 Rice Paper

See the entire Vintage 30's Ruby's Treasures collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

p.s. Don't forget our free pattern! Barb designed the Ruby's Treasures quilt and you can download it from our website. 

Download "Ruby's Treasures" by Barbara J. Eikmeier here.