Scarlet Ribbons : American Indian Technique for Today's Quilters

by Helen Kelley, Faith Rolfsen (Photographer), Connie Pluhar (Photographer)

Classic work on American Indian ribbonwork & quilting. Includes an explanation of Plains style ribbonwork, templates for various ribbonwork patterns, easy to follow instructions for multiple ribbonwork patterns for dresses, straight dance suits, shawls and many other projects. Color photos throughout, easy to follow sewing and quilting instructions, templates. 135 color photos, 5 b&w, biblio, glossay.

104 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1987

About the author

Helen Kelley was a nationally recognized quiltmaker. In all, Kelley made more than 150 quilts, sometimes taking years for the vision of one to take shape and spending months crafting it. Kelley, whose work was often inspired by family life and her travels, was inducted into the Quilting Hall of Fame in Marion, Ind., in August 2008.

Her work has earned several awards. Her quilt modeled after a Norwegian tapestry is owned by the Minnesota Historical Society and was dubbed by quilt experts as one of 100 best of the 20th century.

Kelley held workshops around the country and in other nations and was a willing teacher. Starting in 1983, she became a columnist for Quilters Newsletter, a magazine, and she continued to write the column until her death.

Kelley died of a heart attack on Sept. 1, 2008, at her home in northeast Minneapolis. She was 81.

Reviews

[Michael Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting in that it is geared towards quilters, but the techniques are also those that are used for making regalia and dance outfits. I picke up this book to learn about ribbon-work techniques. Many of the projects use yardage material rather than actual ribbon, but the techniques and approaches translate well, and the examples are well spelled out with plenty of patter and template examples to copy and use. For those interested in learning and using these motifs in projects (whether they be dance clothing or other items), this is definitely worth a look.