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1930s Quilts

Explore the creativity of the Great Depression era with 10 stunning step-by-step quilts

Hardcover (Cloth-over-Board, no jacket)
$40.00 US
8-1/2"W x 11"H | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Jul 14, 2026 | 200 Pages | 9781800922532

Back cover
TOC
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Embark on a fascinating journey through the unique history, style and ingenuity of American Depression-era quilts, and create 10 stunning 1930s-style quilts of your own.

In this unique and beautiful book from quilt extraordinaire Carolyn Forster, explore and celebrate the incredible designs created by America's quiltmakers during the 1930s by making 10 quilts of your own, all inspired by the period's techniques, motifs and colorways. Nearly one hundred years on, their ingenuity still contains inspiration for quilters around the world. 

  • A small historical chapter sets the scene, describing the fascinating and tumultuous backdrop of the quilts and their makers. 
  • There are 10 themed quilts to sew, each inspired by a different key feature of 1930s quilts – from using repurposed feedsacks and upcycled linens to key piecing and quilting styles, plus the use of redwork embroidery.
  • Every quilt project includes a detailed requirements list, clear step-by-step instructions with construction diagrams, and beautiful photographs of the finished quilt.
  • Full-size templates are included.
  • For readers needing a refresher, a detailed techniques section on making quilts is given at the back of the book.
  • A foreword by the curator of the American Museum & Gardens in Bath in the UK, Kate Hebert, provides a captivating overview of the period and book.
  • Photographs of beautiful 1930s quilts from the museum's collection offer mouth-watering examples of what the makers before us have achieved.

This is a one-of-kind book that gives you the opportunity to unearth and recreate the incredible workmanship of America's quilters who, in spite of economic and political instability, created stunning quilts that are brimming with color, ingenuity and creativity.
Carolyn Forster started making quilts when she was a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the University of Bath. Since graduating, she has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA and has had her quilts featured in a number of books and magazines, including Fabrications, Popular Patchwork and Patchwork and Quilting. Carolyn lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK with her husband and son. View titles by Carolyn Forster
Foreword
Hello and Welcome
A Small History of 1930s Quilts
The Quilts
Historical Technique No.1: Using Solids
Ric-Rac Baskets Quilt
Historical Technique No.2: Fine Hand Quilting
Scrap Basket Quilt
Historical Technique No.3: Complex Piecing
Grandmother’s Prize Quilt
Historical Technique No.4: Using White Fabric
Endless Chain Quilt
Historical Technique No.5: Friendship and Community
Friendship Garden Quilt
Historical Technique No.6: Embroidering Quilts
Embroidered Linen Squares Quilt
Historical Technique No.7: Black Accents
Split Nine-Patch Quilt
Historical Technique No.8: Using Feedsacks
Five-Patch Star Quilt
Historical Technique No.9: Using Scraps
Scrap Doll Quilt
Historical Technique No.10: Redwork Embroidery
Redwork Cot Quilt
Patchwork and Quilting Basics
Templates
Glossary
Index

Photos

Back cover
TOC
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread
Sample spread

About

Embark on a fascinating journey through the unique history, style and ingenuity of American Depression-era quilts, and create 10 stunning 1930s-style quilts of your own.

In this unique and beautiful book from quilt extraordinaire Carolyn Forster, explore and celebrate the incredible designs created by America's quiltmakers during the 1930s by making 10 quilts of your own, all inspired by the period's techniques, motifs and colorways. Nearly one hundred years on, their ingenuity still contains inspiration for quilters around the world. 

  • A small historical chapter sets the scene, describing the fascinating and tumultuous backdrop of the quilts and their makers. 
  • There are 10 themed quilts to sew, each inspired by a different key feature of 1930s quilts – from using repurposed feedsacks and upcycled linens to key piecing and quilting styles, plus the use of redwork embroidery.
  • Every quilt project includes a detailed requirements list, clear step-by-step instructions with construction diagrams, and beautiful photographs of the finished quilt.
  • Full-size templates are included.
  • For readers needing a refresher, a detailed techniques section on making quilts is given at the back of the book.
  • A foreword by the curator of the American Museum & Gardens in Bath in the UK, Kate Hebert, provides a captivating overview of the period and book.
  • Photographs of beautiful 1930s quilts from the museum's collection offer mouth-watering examples of what the makers before us have achieved.

This is a one-of-kind book that gives you the opportunity to unearth and recreate the incredible workmanship of America's quilters who, in spite of economic and political instability, created stunning quilts that are brimming with color, ingenuity and creativity.

Author

Carolyn Forster started making quilts when she was a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the University of Bath. Since graduating, she has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA and has had her quilts featured in a number of books and magazines, including Fabrications, Popular Patchwork and Patchwork and Quilting. Carolyn lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK with her husband and son. View titles by Carolyn Forster

Table of Contents

Foreword
Hello and Welcome
A Small History of 1930s Quilts
The Quilts
Historical Technique No.1: Using Solids
Ric-Rac Baskets Quilt
Historical Technique No.2: Fine Hand Quilting
Scrap Basket Quilt
Historical Technique No.3: Complex Piecing
Grandmother’s Prize Quilt
Historical Technique No.4: Using White Fabric
Endless Chain Quilt
Historical Technique No.5: Friendship and Community
Friendship Garden Quilt
Historical Technique No.6: Embroidering Quilts
Embroidered Linen Squares Quilt
Historical Technique No.7: Black Accents
Split Nine-Patch Quilt
Historical Technique No.8: Using Feedsacks
Five-Patch Star Quilt
Historical Technique No.9: Using Scraps
Scrap Doll Quilt
Historical Technique No.10: Redwork Embroidery
Redwork Cot Quilt
Patchwork and Quilting Basics
Templates
Glossary
Index