Through her detailed artwork, Ruth M. Barnes captured the beauty of everyday American folk traditions and preserved them as art. She created watercolor, gouache, pen-and-ink sketches of textiles and other handmade objects. Barnes’ other works, including Crazy Quilt (1940), Coverlet (1937) and Purse (1937), similarly showcase the designs of American textiles. Through repeated shapes and delicate lines, she brought the colors and designs of these handmade objects to life. Through her renderings, Barnes brought these handmade traditions into the world of art and helped preserve their beauty for future generations.