Storybook Quilts

 

What is a Storybook Quilt?  The Storybook Quilt Collection is a collection of children’s books about quilting that are paired with small or medium-sized quilts that reflect the story and illustrations. It is an educational outreach program available to schools, libraries, civic and other groups. The books are ready to be read and the quilts are ready to be admired, looked at, loved, and TOUCHED!  The Story Book Quilt Collection reflects the love of quilting, and promotes an understanding of the historic and cultural heritage integral to the art of quilting. In addition, design, fiber arts, mathematics, and artistic expression come with the “package.”

 

Our Storybook Quilt Collection includes:

The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Coerr

While traveling west with her family in 1850, a young girl makes a patchwork quilt chronicling the experiences of the journey. This quilt was made by many members of the Main Street Quilt & Thread Guild, interpreting the beginning chapter quilt squares. It was quilted by Leslie Sparks.

 

A Quilt of Wishes by Teresa Orem Werner

An adoptive mother and her friends stitch a 50-square quilt for the Chinese baby she is waiting to adopt. When finished, she ships it to the orphanage to keep her baby warm until she arrives. The nanny and other women add 50 squares of their own (to represent the baby’s past). This is the author’s true story. Many Guild members contributed fabric for this quilt. However, Kymberly Boschee lovingly made this quilt. This project was dear to her heart as she herself adopted two children from China.

 

The Boy and the Quilt by Shirley Kurtz

This is a story about a boy who watches his mother make quilts until one day he decides to make his own quilt. He diligently cuts the pieces of fabric and has them stacked all over his room. It comes time to assemble the quilt and his mother starts to help him. The boy makes it clear that he has a plan for the quilt and he sees to it his design is realized. Best for Kindergarten -2nd grade

 

The Patchwork Cat - by Nicola Bayley

This is a delightful story about a Tabby cat that has a favorite quilt to snuggle. The quilt gets lost and the cat sets out to retrieve her beloved patchwork quilt. The quilt is a very good match to the images in the book.

 

Patchwork Quilt

The quilt that was made with this book is a quilt made by a third grade class from Double File Elementary, organized and quilted by their Art teacher (and quilter) Ann Smith. It has laminated cards written by the students who made the quilt blocks describing how their square, taken from something personal (a T-shirt, blanket, etc.) is special to them. This would be a great opportunity for group reading. This could also be inspiration for a class or family project. Best for 2nd-5th grade

 

The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston and Tomie DePalma

This is an adorable story about a young girl who has a quilt and loves it. The quilt eventually ends up in an attic space where a new child discovers it. The quilt is refurbished and is loved again.  This quilt was appliquéd and quilted by Sheila Berry. Best for Kindergarten-2nd grade.

 

The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

This is a story about a generous woman who makes quilts by day and finds homeless people to give them to by night. The King of the land desires one of her beautiful Quilts as he has many possessions and wants more. The Quiltmaker agrees to make him a quilt, however, she will sew one piece on for each possession he gives away to another person. It is a great story to use in a lesson about compassion. The book also has several illustrations of quilt patterns. Discovering the pattern of an actual quilt can be a learning activity in the classroom as well.

Quiltmakers Gift – 2

We have two books with quilt sets; one set has a quilt like the king received, very colorful and enchanting especially for younger groups, the other set has two quilts each using a pattern depicted in the artwork in the book. The set with the Log Cabin and Children’s Delight has been used by teachers to have students identify the patterns. Best for 2nd -4th grade.

 

Reuben and the Quilt by Merle Good

This story is about an Amish family. It depicts the traditions of making a quilt together. The quilt goes missing when it was newly finished. The members of the community respond in a distinctly different way by assuming if someone took it they must have needed it. So they make a pillow to match and put it out to be taken also. The Quilt is a great match to that depicted in the book. This book would be a great opportunity to discuss cultural differences. This quilt was made by Dawn Pratt Best for 2nd-5th grade.

 

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson

This story is about a young woman who finds a way to be helpful to the underground railway by making maps on quilts. The quilter has embroidered Round Rock landmarks into this quilt which has made it most engaging to Round Rock students and adults alike.  Great companion to go along with American History lessons 2nd-5th Grade.

 

The Keeping Quilt
The author’s first-person voice moves her narrative forward from the time when her Great-Gramma Anna came to America during the last century to the present. The illustrations are charcoal drawings and the only color used is in the babushka and dress of Great-Gramma Anna, which become part of a brightly hued quilt. Following the quilt through four generations is the basis of this story. Customs and fashions change, but family is constant, visually linked by the ”keeping quilt.” Patricia Polacco is the author and illustrator and this is a true story about her Russian Jewish family. This quilt was designed, appliquéd, and quilted by Elke Newhouse.

 

The Tamale Quilt -by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli

It’s Christmas time and poor Rosa is sick during her favorite time of year. With a heart full of love and a special quilt tucked under her arm, Nana Isabel comes to the rescue with wonderful stories of her days on the farm and her mother’s delicious tamales. There is Spanish vocabulary throughout and this book could be a companion book to The Tortilla Quilt. The book includes the pattern for the quilt and recipes. This quilt was appliqued, pieced, and quilted by Kae McLaughlin.

 

How Do I Sign-up for the Quilt Collection?

Send your name, address, and dates you would like to host the quilt to Marie Eddins mceddins@austin.rr.com