1891-1976 Inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame in 2002 “Quilts - we never have too many... Something useful, something beautiful or fittingly clever when finished should of course be the aim of every woman who enjoys doing handwork.”  Ruby Short McKim, Better Homes and Gardens, March 1930 Ruby McKim Gallery This gallery is an opportunity to showcase some of Ruby Short McKim’s imaginative and highly creative designs of the 1920s and 30s. A graduate of Parson’s School of Design in New York City, she was a dedicated artist, never without her sketchbook, and always sketching what she saw. Bedtime Quilt (1916) Quote from www.mckimstudios.com: "Bedtime is quilt time, and here is the Bedtime Quilt! Twenty little Quaddies from the Green Meadows and Forest and Smiling Pool are coming, in funny square shapes, to make a picture cover for the tiny white bed. These have been made just the size to trace onto a white muslin block, about eight inches square, and then big sister or someone can take some blue or pink or green thread and embroider them in a simple outline stitch."  Ruby Short McKim Click here to view more photos.     Toy Shop Window Quilt (1933) Quote from www.mckimstudios.com: "Here is the cunningest little coverlet that ever made bedtime welcome to a youngster! He can peek out from his pillow into the 24 star-lighted windows of the Toy Shop Quilt and see there the gayest of playtime friends. Grown ladies will covet some child to make one for about as much as the children will want the quilt, so we do hope that you all can get together and many aunties, grandmothers, etc., make up the toy quilts for many, many girls and boys."  Ruby Short McKim Click here to view more photos.     Rhyme Land Quilt (1935) Humpty Dumpty was a colloquial term used in 15th century England to describe someone who was obese. It is believed that Humpty Dumpty was actually a large cannon used during the English Civil War (1642-1649) in the Siege of Colchester. It was strategically placed on the wall next to St Mary’s Church. Humpty Dumpty is one of the twenty-eight Nursery Rhyme blocks designed by Ruby McKim. Who were Curly Locks and Lucy Lockett? Click here to find out who they really were and to view more photos.     Farm Life Quilt (1930) Quote from www.mckimstudios.com: "Whether you live on a farm, in a village, or in a city, you will be charmed with the Farm Life Quilt. Each block pictures some friendly scene or faithful animal and all of them together make a quilt that is interesting and homelike as it is comfortable to use.” Ruby Short McKim Click here to view more photos.       Three Little Pigs Quilt (1934) Quote from www.mckimstudios.com: "Here is a drawing of one of the cleverest kiddie quilts that you will ever find! When father was a little boy his mother probably told him about the three little pigs who built their three little houses of straw, and sticks and stone, and of the huff and the puff that befell the first two houses, while the sturdy little house of bricks and stone still stood! It’s a great old story and children today are enjoying it even more than ever. And your quilt is assured of a future too, because new little fellows will continue to chuckle and shiver at the three pigs adventures for years and years to come." Ruby Short McKim Click here to view more photos.      Roly Poly Circus (1923) Quote from www.mckimstudios.com: “The Roly Poly Circus Quilt will be a delightful addition to the nursery.  All the loved animals will be there, from the pudgy bear to the alligator laughing at his own tail.  The blocks are nine inches square, and twenty blocks complete the quilt.  The animals are worked in simple outline stitch on white muslin and set together with the color that harmonizes with the nursery.”  Click here to view more photos.   From the official Ruby Short McKim website at www.mckimstudios.com the following quote:    “Ruby Short McKim, known as “Grammy” to family, was a true Renaissance woman, way ahead of her time. She is nationally known as a top quilt designer of the 1920s and 1930s, but she was so much more. She was a fine artist who expressed her talent in many mediums, as well as a sharp business woman. Grammy was a devoted wife, loving mother and an attentive, loving grandmother. She had a tremendous impact on us all, making us all feel extra special. Our family wants to bring Grammy’s life and her life’s work back to life, no longer packed away in dusty boxes in the attic. We are lighting up her legacy and want to share the joy of her life and beauty of her talent with those who would appreciate it.”