Since I'm really fond of traditional quilt patterns (and books, and reading), I added two more types of bookmarks to my set of various quilted hand sewn bookmarks which I had made and given away over the last eleven years now.
One new type is made with the Log Cabin pattern, which - some say - is around 200 years old. It's a pattern for a square originally, and I tried to make a variation so that it could be used for a slender rectangle bookmark form. I especially like the idea to use a bright red or yellow piece for the center to suggest that there is a light on in the log cabin, which - even from far away- always shows you the way home…Lovely idea.
Here is a very interesting read:
http://www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/logcabin.htm
The other one is an adaptation of a pattern called "Virginia Reel", which is named after an old Scottish Folk Dance from the 17th century (which then became an English and Irish and American Folk Dance, too). This quilt pattern is not that old, however, most sources say it's from about 1935 or so, and it's also called "Snail's Trail" or "Monkey Wrench". I like "Virginia Reel" best though, you can really imagine a dance going on here with two partners, and then others are joining in, going round and round…
I like that.
Here is a short explanation of how to use this pattern:
http://www.quilt-around-the-world.com/en/content/virginia-reel
The book shown here is: The Quilter's Apprentice, by Jennifer Chiaverini, 1999, a very lovely book.
… and this is my collection of bookmark types right now:
