America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890: 8 Reproduction Quilt Projects/Historic Notes & Photographs/Dating Your Quilts

Rating:
Summary: Higly recommend this book for fabric or quilt collectors
Review: Barbara describes her book as soft on fabric science and high on the how-to of making choices, choosing fabrics and quilt styles appropriate to a time period. The antique and reproduction swatches are large and clear. Barbara brings her considered opinions, research, and years of experience to each subject she discusses.

This book is probably a better choice than her classic "Clues in the Calico" (and it's updated some of the information too) for the individual just starting to learn about textile history because it is less dense in terms of text and details, but it is by no means shallow for those entrenched in textile history.

Throughout the book, there are what I call, Barbara's signature vignettes. These are those wonderful still life pictures of colorful combinations of antique fabrics, daguerreotypes, ephemera, sewing tools, bonnets and clothing and everyday household décor found in 19th century homes. In fact, she has included many photographs depicting dresses and textiles. Brief personal quotes from old diaries, letters, and other historical writings are scattered throughout the book, as are reproduction quilts made by outside contributors to the book. I really appreciate her putting dates, specific when possible, a narrow range when not, with the photos, quotes, quilts and fabrics.