A Joy Forever: Marie Webster's Quilt Patterns [Paperback]

Rosalind Webster Perry (Author), Marty Frolli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1992

This book spotlights the life and quilt patterns of Marie Webster (1859-1956), world famous leader of the quilt revival of the early 20th century. Containing 12 full size patterns and complete directions for her charming appliqu quilts, it will delight lovers of floral appliqu and children's quilts. Marie Webster's life story will inspire you with her rise to fame as a designer for The Ladies' Home Journal and the author of the first quilt book, Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them (1915). She proved herself an innovative entrepreneur as well, by running a successful business, selling patterns, kits and finished quilts from her Indiana home.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marie Webster's quilts have been favorites of quiltmakers ever since they were published over 80 years ago, and all quiltmakers owe her a debt. Her designs... sparked a revolution in quilt design on the heels of the arts and crafts movement and the colonial revival, which emphasized the return to simpler traditions and handmade objects. Webster's quilts, the first to be published in color in Ladies Home Journal, were based on floral patterns which 'revitalized the art of applique with fresh new forms and a palette of pastel colors that would become the hallmark of American quilts in the 1920s and '30s.'

A Joy Forever is a double treat: the story of Marie Webster and her designs, told by her granddaughter; and a book of patterns for 12 of her original quilts. Co-author Marty Frolli perfected the pattern pieces and wrote additonal instructions for assembling the quilts.... A must for applique lovers, and for all of us who were inspired by Marie Webster's beautiful quilts. -- The Quilting Quarterly, National Quilting Association

This book is a fascinating look at a famous designer. It's also destined to be a historical treasure...

Marie Webster's quilts took America by storm when they were first published in the Ladies' Home Journal. Webster then began a long and fruitful career in quilt design, based on the Arts and Crafts Movement's credo: "bold and simple." Her appliqu patterns were striking in their simplicity and realism. But they were most effective for one basic reason. Marie Webster was a quilter. Many designers from that era were not.

Webster's granddaughter, Rosalind Webster Perry, has selected 12 of her grandmother's patterns. They are published together for the first time, along with a biography studded with family photos in A Joy Forever. -- Quilter's Newsletter Magazine

From the Publisher

This is the only book to feature Marie Webster's breathtaking quilt designs. These patterns are authentic classics of early 20th century design, presented for ease of use by today's quiltmakers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: Practical Patchwork (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962081175
• ISBN-13: 978-0962081170
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning all around, June 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Joy Forever: Marie Webster's Quilt Patterns (Paperback)

This is a superb book for anyone interested in American quilts of the 20th century. I was intrigued to discover that Marie Webster's designs, introduced to the public as early as 1912, were the originals from which "traditional" quilt patterns of the 1920's and 1930's were derived. These include the sunbonnets (gentle here, not saccharine), the poppy applique, and the medallion floral appliques. Also, it was an eye-opener to see Webster's dogwood and sunflower designs, extremely close variants of which were popularized years later by a manufacturer of quilt batting. The photography is excellent, and the book is printed on beautiful heavy-stock paper. The essays (written by Webster's grand-daughter) are joyful and respectful and a pleasure to read. The book includes patterns for 12 of the quilts shown. I can hardly wait to get started with my needle.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Tradional Designs, April 2, 2004

By 

Jerilea Hendrick "duncanje" (Northwood, Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Joy Forever: Marie Webster's Quilt Patterns (Paperback)

I cannot wait to start making a quilt using the designs in this book! If you've seen a quilt with roses, irises, daisies...before and weren't impressed, try this book for designs that are fresh and clean. According to this book, a lot of the designs of the 1920's-1950's were based off of these. I have not seen these patterns used in this way ever before. In this book you will find patterns for many flowers including: iris (pictured on the cover), daisy, may tulips, poppy, white dogwood (fabulous!), french baskets, and a very beautiful grapes and vines pattern.

If you've never appliqued before, this book will be a challenge to you. The instructions are written for a quilter with some experience. The beginning of the book gives wonderful details of the life of Marie Webster who is the original creator of these designs.

I also enjoyed Marie Webster's Gardent of Quilts which, I think would be a bit easier for a beginner eager to try traditional designs.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentile Traditional Patterns, April 19, 2002

By 

Bridget Forestcats "norwegies" (Montclair, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Joy Forever: Marie Webster's Quilt Patterns (Paperback)

This is a peek into the life of a very productive quilter and it adds so much more depth of enjoyment knowing the person who designed the patterns and the life she led.
The patterns are so stylish for the period and readily adapt to todays fabrics as well.
Every time I page through this book I feel as though I'm getting a hug of encouragement from all of our quilting ancestors.
You will enjoy the pictures, patterns and story.