Sorry, but I can not recommend that you purchase "Hobo Quilts" unless you are willing to calculate how to make the blocks yourself. Please read on.
Hobo Quilts by Debra G. Henninger is the fourth in a series by Krause Publications which combines historical writings with sampler quilt block patterns. The first two books were by Rosemary Youngs and contained quotes from dairies and letters written during the Civil War. Each quote was accompanied by a quilt block. The blocks had nothing to do with the quote but the combination was interesting. The books sold very well both to those interested in Civil War history and to quilters. The books had line drawings of the quilt blocks but no instructions. Rosemary sold a companion CD which had to be used in conjunction with Electric Quilt to produce templates or foundation drawings.
The third book was "Farmer's Wife" by Laurie Aaron Hird. The written text was exerts from letters written in the 1930's answering the question, "Knowing your life as a farmer's wife would you recommend that your daughter marry a farmer?" The text was very interesting if you are at all connected to farming. The format of the book was the same as the first two but a CD was included which printed templates only. You could not change the size of the blocks or print foundation drawings. Many of the CD's were damaged in shipment. Just this month a companion CD has been released which runs in conjunction with Electric Quilt. Now for an additional $20 you can print templates or foundation drawings in any size.
Because I had enjoyed the first three books I eagerly bought "Hobo Quilts" the day it arrived at the store. The blocks are not your typical sampler quilt blocks. Each block graphically reproduces one of the symbols in the secret language of riding the rails. This is the way hobos communicated with anyone traveling behind them. The symbols would tell them if they would receive food at a certain house, if this was a good place to camp or if the local sheriff would run all hobos out of town. The quotes are from actual hobos writing about their experiences riding the rails prior to 1940. Many photos of the period are also included creating a very interesting book. The blocks are again given as line drawings but under each drawing is listed the size pieces which are needed to make the block. If the block is to be appliqued that is noted under the drawing and you are instructed to trace the line drawing. I thought the addition of the piece sizes was great until I started to make the blocks. The sizes on many of the blocks are wrong. The pieces don't fit together or if they do the block is not the correct size when you are finished. I have emailed the publisher and will report back when I hear from them.
Until this pattern situation is solved I would not recommend that you purchase "Hobo Quilts".
Susan Price