Review   Inspired by Antique Quilts - June 25, 2008
"Barbara Brackman...well what can you say???? you need to own everyone of her books if you love quilt history!
It does have a few patterns in it as well."

Review By: Kimberly Wulfert,   Antiquequiltdating.com - July 14, 2008
"If you want to learn to date fabrics found in quilts and cotton clothing, then this book is a must have. With this book, Barbara Brackman essentially finishes her update of Clues in the Calico, (1989)... MAKING HISTORY Quilts and Fabrics covers the topics in the same detail and stylistic manner for the years 1890 to 1970.

If I were to use one word to describe the book’s text, it is concise. She gives us a great deal of meaty information by combining period fabrics used for clothing, interiors furnishings, and quilts with interior and architectural design schools and wraps them into a synopses of their influence on patterned fabric’s scale, color, weave and print. Barbara writes that her personal mission when doing research for this book was the discovery of why the look of quilts changed so much in the early 20th century, compared to the years before it. From 1920 to 1930, she notes another big change. She turns to art history for some of answers. I won't describe this here - you will enjoy reading about it yourself.

Making History features nine quilt projects. They are unique quilt patterns, in that some reflect the interior design style of the day, even though not many quilts in those styles were made at the time. The patterns are derived from highlights in an era’s designs. Often embroidery was the favored needlework. Of major exception were the quilts Marie Webster designed and made, starting in the first quarter, which were inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.
some of the styles that Barbara describes are the Aesthetic, Arts & Crafts, Vienna Workshop, Glasgow School, Art Nouveau and Prairie School. The quilts reflect them well. They look doable and fun for any method of choice and level of skill. Most include appliqué. The 1890-1925 quilts are simple designs and patchwork patterns. Here the fabric is the essence of the reproduction quilt. Later, when embroidery was a popular needlework activity, appliqué patterns reflected the floral designs. Some quilts used both appliqué and patchwork. In the back of the book, you'll find a pull-out section of full-size templates and suggested quilting designs.

It seems to me there are more old photographs in this book, than in the other books; and they show furnishing patterns and clothing. The best photo by far, though, is not very old, although it is black and white; and at first glance, it appears to be from the Aesthetic period. It shows a beautiful woman with extremely long hair, wearing a long flowing dress, sitting on a swing made from vines, in a nature setting. She has a blissful dreamy expression … oh it’s Barbara! Turns out she was posing for a photography student friend in 1970.

Large swatches of original fabrics and reproduction prints are featured in exacting color photographs. Smaller quilt pictures show vintage ones. What is great, especially for someone new to dating fabrics, is that she goes back to the beginning dye history of a color and brings it forward to the focus of the years the chapter covers. It also jogs the memory for those who read her earlier books. Again, the word concise comes to mind, in the best of meanings."


Review   Quilters Spirit - July 15, 2008
" Of course it is excellent...Barbara's analysis of changes seen in quilts and fabrics from these later eras brought my other favorite field of study into focus, decorative arts for home interiors...MAKING HISTORY is the sequel to America’s Printed Fabrics, 1770-1890s and together they comprise the updates to Clues in the Calico. Anyone who is serious about learning to date fabric will want to have all three..."


Review   American Quilt Retailer - September 1, 2008
“…is a lovely companion book to Barbara's 'America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890'. It gives a look at the history of fabrics and quilt design in this particular time period. The cultural and societal influences are especially interesting. Barbara has also added sections called 'Learning lessons from the past' which detail fabric and quilt characteristics from each of the different time segments making identification easy. There are new patters and quilts based on old examples from the time periods making this book practical, useful and very informational all at the same time. You might host an event where everyone brings in an old quilt and has fun trying to use Barbara's tips to identify the fabrics and era. Be sure to let everyone tell their quilt's story!”

Review By: Anne Scott,   New Zealand Quilter Magazine - October 1, 2008
“Following on from her earlier book 'America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890', quilt historian Barbara Brackman's latest work 'Making History: Quilts & Fabric from 1890-1970 is a fascinating read. Combining social history with period photographs and quilts of the time, Brackman examines changing quilt styles with examples of each genre. Plates of vintage fabrics are superb and there are nine patterns for quilts inspired by vintage quilt designs and fabrics.”

Review By: Libby Fife,    - October 15, 2008
"... [I] have found it to be a great source of information. I bought the book initially for the chapter on fabrics of the Arts and Crafts Movement as I could not find any quilts that were made in this particular style and wondered why. I just wanted to thank you for shedding light on the absence of a particular quilting style for this period-your explanations were really most helpful. I have begun further research on the Arts and Crafts Movement (using some of your references)...I have since done two of the Prairie School Windows, one using the suggested color scheme and one using a color scheme that I chose myself. I included some pictures in this email. I am getting set to do the criss cross project using a subdued, earthy color scheme and know that it will turn out well-your instructions were great! Thanks again for the wonderful book and easy to follow projects. I really think the information included in the book will help me with my further research in developing a style that includes elements from this period."


Review   datingbookreviewblog.com - November 29, 2008
"The comprehensive guide to fabrics, from the machine age to the atomic age!
* Includes nine quilt projects inspired by vintage designs
* Essential companion to Brackman’s America’s Printed Fabrics 1770-1890
Want to create new quilts with an authentic period look? Or discover the rich history of our country, unfolding through fabric? This fascinating book features author Barbara Brackman’s irresistible blend of scholarship and practical advice. Learn to choose reproduction prints for vintage designs and build a stash of period-flavor fabrics. Nine vintage-style quilt patterns capture historical style with piecing and appliqu?. Packed with historic photos, stories, and insights into the role of fabrics in everyday life, Making History is a compelling page-turner as well as a practical quilting book."

Review   On Track! - January 1, 2009
“Barbara Brackman has the gift for combining factual information, history, and contemporary applications. This book explains to readers how fabrics were made during the time period and also traces cultural trends that impacted both the colors and designs of the fabrics and the quilts themselves. She also points out many details that help readers to either date quilts or create realistic looking reproductions. The book is crammed full of historic photos and captions that are fun and interesting to read on their own even without the accompanying text. Nine different quilt projects are interwoven throughout the text. This book will be a great addition to your library.”