Just received a fabulous vintage state bird quilt top in the mail from Gail. I think it dates to the 1950's. It's in need of some repairs, but it's very nice. I've not seen this pattern before and will be on the lookout for more information about it's origins.
This blog is about a quilt gone missing and how the quest to reproduce it turned into a family project.
Matthis Bird Quilt

In the 1960's, my great uncle Gladston Matthis (A.K.A Uncle Doodle) mail ordered a quilt pattern from Progressive Farmer magazine. The iron transfer embroidery pattern contained 50 state birds. My great grand-mother, Eva Mae Ezzell Matthis, completed this quilt for Doodle. For many years after her passing in 1970, Doodle kept the quilt in his room and would occasionally show it to visitors. In the early to mid 1990's, Doodle hung the quilt up (with nails ~cringe~) in the family room. It was especially enjoyed during the annual family reunion each June.