Quilting: A Summer Hobby – The Kansas City Star

By Jody Edwards, Desert Threads Quilt Chapter of AQG

Once again Desert Threads Quilters invites you back in time to the days when quilt patterns were delivered to you in your newspaper. This month let’s look at The Kansas City Star!

The Kansas City Star newspaper played a significant role in fostering the quilting tradition by regularly featuring quilt patterns in its pages. This practice, which began in 1928 with the "Pine Tree" pattern, was the brainchild of quilt designer Ruby Short McKim and Nell Snead, the editor of the paper's women's section. Recognizing the growing popularity of quilting, they aimed to attract more female readers by providing a weekly dose of creative inspiration. 

The Kansas City Star's quilt patterns quickly became a popular and influential resource for quilters across the country. They continued this tradition for 34 years, publishing a vast collection of patterns that have become cherished by quilters and collectors alike.  The patterns featured a wide range of styles and skill levels, from beginner-friendly blocks to more intricate designs.

In honor of this newspaper's dedication to featuring quilt patterns which helped to celebrate and promote the craft of quilting, a special quilt block pattern was named for them. The Kansas City Star Quilt Block is made entirely of squares in different sizes with 3 colors of fabric and 1 background color. For a 12” finished block you will need:

4 – 4.5” squares, and 20 – 2.5” squares in your background color (usually light color)
5 – 4.5” squares in a Medium/Print color
8 – 2.5” squares in a Medium/Solid color
8 – 2.5” squares in a Dark/Print or Solid color

If you would like to make a Traditional Kansas City Star quilt block, detailed instructions can be found at: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-the-traditional-kansas-star-quilt-block-a-free-tutorial. They also have a YouTube video tutorial!

If you want to make a Kansas City Star Quilt block or any other quilt block and want help, advice or just company while making it, a member of Desert Threads would be happy to help. You can send us an email at info@desertthreads.org or attend one of our informal group meetings. Our group meets the second Wednesday of each month during the summer months (June-Aug). The group meets at 10 a.m. in the Cottonwood Computer Learning Center for a very informal gathering to share “show and tell” projects and visit, with several members meeting for lunch after. We also have time slots available all summer in the Oakwood Sewing room where members meet and work on individual or group projects together.

For quilters, sewing is always fun, but it’s more fun when it’s done with friends!