Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them

Marie Daugherty Webster (1859-1956) was a quilt designer, businesswoman, and the author of the first American book about quilting, Quilts: Their Story, and How to Make Them, published in 1915. Although Webster learned the art of fine hand sewing from her mother during her childhood and was a favourite pastime of hers, she did not start designing quilts until she was in her 50s. For most of her adult life, Webster lived in Marion, Indiana. Marie designed dozens of quilts, and her patterns, all applique, are known for their beautiful, mostly floral designs, done in pastel colours. These qualities made them unique at the time. She was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement. After requests for Webster's quilt patterns streamed into her Marion, Indiana house, she published a four-page pattern catalog entitled The New Patch-Work Patterns. She also began her own business, officially named The Practical Patchwork Company in 1921.