Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Pattern: Oriental Poppy Quilt

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Oriental Poppy_ McKim

The late Ruby Short McKim created this quilt pattern, Oriental Poppy as part of her quilt pattern business back in the 1920’s and 30’s in Kansas City, Missouri (US). It uses both piecing and applique for the flower. More than anything, I’m struck at how modern this design feels.

Her youngest granddaughter, Merrily McKim Tuohey, operates McKim Studios website, where she offers free downloads of many of the patterns from Ruby’s book, 101 Patchwork Patterns (1931 edition). Oriental Poppy is not in that book, but is available on the site for $7.50 USD. Go to the pattern.

Who Was Ruby SHort McKim?

Ruby Short McKim, born in 1891, left an indelible mark on the world of quilting and needlework. Known for her vibrant designs and creative contributions, she became a prominent figure in the early 20th-century quilting scene.

Her journey began in Millersburg, IL, where she showed an early interest in drawing. After studying at the New York School of Fine & Applied Arts, she returned to Independence, MO, becoming the Supervisor of Drawing for the Independence School District. In 1916, her talent gained recognition when she won a contest held by the Kansas City Star to design a quilt pattern for children, marking the start of her prolific quilting career.

In 1917, Ruby married Arthur McKim, embarking on a journey that blended family life with artistic pursuits. The McKims traveled extensively, building business relationships across the country to sell Ruby’s quilt patterns and needlework designs. In 1922, she became the Children’s Art Editor of Child Life Magazine, solidifying her place in the publishing world.

Settling in Independence, the McKims established McKim Studios in 1928, a home-based mail order business offering needlework supplies and patterns. Ruby’s popularity soared, leading her to become the Home Art Editor for Better Homes & Garden Magazine. In 1931, she published “One Hundred and One Patchwork Patterns,” a revered compilation of old-time quilt patterns.

The 1930s brought changes as the family welcomed new members, and McKim Studios evolved into Kimport Dolls. Despite these shifts, Ruby continued to contribute to the artistic world, leaving a legacy that earned her a place in the Quilter’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

Ruby Short McKim’s life was a tapestry of creativity, resilience, and dedication, making her a trailblazer in the quilting community. Her impact resonates through her timeless designs and the memories she created for her family and admirers alike.

Have you read?

Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down and Learn Something Old – A Quilter’s Honest Look Inside the Book

I’ll be completely honest before we even start.

Hand sewing has never been my strong point. In fact, I have almost zero patience for hand quilting. I love the look of it, I admire the tradition of it, but sitting still long enough to stitch an entire quilt by hand has always felt like a test of endurance for me.

That’s exactly why I was curious when I started flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old. The title alone suggests something a lot of us probably need more of these days — a chance to slow down and reconnect with the craft itself.

After browsing through the book, it feels less like a strict instructional manual and more like an invitation to rethink how we approach sewing.

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Pages

One of the first things I noticed while browsing through the book is how calm and thoughtful the layout feels. The photography, the pacing of the instructions, and the tone of the content all lean toward the idea that sewing by hand is meant to be a slower, more intentional experience.

Instead of rushing through projects, the book encourages you to treat stitching as a quiet process.

And honestly, that might be exactly what makes it appealing.

Even for someone like me who usually gravitates toward a sewing machine and quick finishes, the book made me pause and consider the idea that hand sewing might actually be a way to slow my mind down a bit.

What This Book Focuses On

The book explores traditional hand-sewing techniques and projects that are designed to help you reconnect with slower sewing methods.

Rather than focusing only on large quilts, it introduces smaller projects and techniques that build confidence with hand stitching.

As I browsed through the pages, the emphasis seemed to be on:

  • Traditional hand stitching techniques

  • Mindful sewing and slowing down the creative process

  • Simple projects that highlight the beauty of handwork

  • Learning skills that have been passed down through generations

It feels very much like a return to the roots of sewing before everything became fast, digital, and machine-driven.

The Philosophy Behind Slow Sewing

What stood out most while flipping through the book wasn’t just the projects themselves — it was the mindset behind them.

There’s a clear theme running through the book that sewing doesn’t always have to be about speed or productivity.

Sometimes the act of stitching itself is the point.

For quilters and sewists who enjoy hand work, this philosophy will probably resonate immediately. For those of us who are used to finishing quilts quickly with a machine, it offers a completely different perspective.

And I’ll admit… even though hand quilting still tests my patience, the idea that it could be a way to quiet a busy mind is pretty appealing.

The Style of Projects in the Book

The projects inside the book lean toward simple, timeless designs that highlight the beauty of hand stitching.

Rather than complicated patterns or heavy piecing, many of the designs focus on techniques that allow the stitches themselves to become part of the visual design.

This makes the projects feel approachable, even for someone new to hand sewing.

You get the sense that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s enjoyment of the process.

Who This Book Is Best For

This book will likely appeal to:

  • Quilters who enjoy hand quilting

  • Sewists interested in traditional hand sewing techniques

  • Makers looking for slower, more mindful creative projects

  • Anyone wanting to step away from the machine occasionally

If you already love hand sewing, this book will probably feel like a natural fit. If you’re someone like me who usually relies on a sewing machine, it might just encourage you to try a few hand-stitched projects and see how it feels.

After spending some time flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old, I can see why the slow sewing movement has become more popular.

It reminds us that crafting doesn’t always have to be about finishing quickly. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the quiet rhythm of the stitches themselves.

Will I suddenly become a dedicated hand quilter overnight? Probably not.

But the book definitely made me think about giving hand stitching another try — if only as a way to slow my mind down for a little while.

And honestly, that might be the real value of a book like this.