The American Midwest has been dubbed the heart of quilting country, and Kansas City is no exception. In 1928, The Kansas City Star newspaper began printing traditional quilt patterns that would become world famous and remain favorites for generations to come.

The patterns were a weekly feature in The Star or sister publications The Weekly Star and The Star Farmer from 1928 until the mid-1930s, then less regularly until 1961. By the time the last one ran, 1,068 had been published in the papers, which circulated in seven Midwestern states as well as North Carolina, Kentucky and Texas.

In the fall of 1999, The Star reprinted a few dozen of the patterns as a book to test the continued popularity of the patterns. The 5,000-book printing sold out in less than two weeks.

Since then, The Star has published nearly 40 quilt books, printed a variety of stand-alone quilt blocks, helped produce a fabric line, introduced dozens of new patterns, and in general has re-established the historic "Star Quilts" brand in an ever-growing business. We sell books not only to quilters and quilt shops in the United States, but abroad as well-in Australia and Canada, and throughout Europe.

In 2007, The Star will release 12 new titles, five in the spring and seven in the fall. We pride ourselves in the high-quality books that we produce. Full-color photographs, brilliant patterns, clear, concise instructions and companion projects fill the pages. Whether you're a quilt shop that celebrates the history of quilting or a quilter who stays on top of the trends, Kansas City Star Quilts has the book for you.