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There Are 1467 Pieces in This Charming Top

February 11, 1936
Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser
Detroit, Michigan, United States
A Quilt Club Corner column including a coupon for Quilt Club membership, letters from Quilt Club members, and a list of Quilt Club members.
There Are 1467 Pieces in This Charming Top

By Edith B. Crumb

At every quilt show there is usually one quilt which arrives too late to be entered. This year, the late comer was sent by Mrs. Mary Gasperik, 9314 Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago, Ill.

So, Mrs. Gasperik's quilt was carefully and safely kept until after the show but, of course, I couldn't possibly return it to her without opening it. Right away I knew you would be interested in seeing a picture of the top which she sent.

Looks Easy
At first, you might think that it would not be so very difficult to make. But when I tell you that Mrs. Gasperik says that there are 1467 pieces in it, you can see that you would not find it so very easy to assemble.

Even getting the pattern for this was not a simple matter. Mrs. Gasperik saw a small picture if a portion of a quilt like this in a book and her daughter copied it on paper then Mrs. Gasperik cut the blocks and started to put them together. The pieced block contains over 100 pieces.

Designed by Man
The original of this quilt was made in 1835 so now Mrs. Gasperik has a copy of a fine century old quilt. It was designed by a Mr. Hamill for his sweetheart, Mary Hayward.

The dark print is black and white, looking very much like an old time calico and as near the material used in the original quilt as she could find.

Not being content with working hard on one quilt of this pattern, Mrs. Gasperik has also pieced a "sister" quilt to it which is in red print with a white background. She is just finishing the quilting on it and says that it is turning out beautifully.

Bridal Bouquet Design
When that one is finished she has another quilt to put on the frames. It is called the "Bridal Bouquet" and she is planning to give it to her niece as a wedding present. It is from her own design.

Perhaps some of you met Mrs. Gasperik at the show last fall. The first she knew about our Quilt Club Corner was one day when she attended the World Series in Chicago. Someone dropped a Detroit News and she picked it up and looked right into our Corner. Then she started to write to us, sent quilts for the show (some of them arrived in time) and she even took the bus over to Detroit so as to be with us two days of the show.

Girl Scout Benefit
Against a background of fine old furniture and rugs, with which her home is furnished, Mrs. Carl V. Essery, of Vinsetta Park, showed a fine collection of antique quilts last week. The exhibition and silver tea was for the benefit of the Girl Scout Council of Royal Oak, Girl Scout groups from Ferndale, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge, and Huntington Woods, are included in the council.

The quilts exhibited were from the collection owned by Mrs. Tom Ostien. They were made by her mother-in-law Mrs. Olive Ostien, who is planning to make these heirlooms for her grandchildren. Although she does not care to do the quilting she pieces one quilt right after another.

However, there is one thing she does not like to do and that is to duplicate a quilt. For this she cannot be blamed as the novelty of the pattern has worn off after it has been used for one quilt, especially if it is a large one.

In copying traditional patterns, Mrs. Ostien has been very careful in selecting materials that have the appearance of the old ones. One of her most delightful quilts is called "Double and Twisted, Lawd a Massy." It is of dark blue and white print and plain white material, the pattern being conventional of squares, triangles and rectangles.

There were two quilts, from the Grandmother's Flower Garden Pattern, a small Double Wedding Ring and many made from conventional designs.

The quilts found a perfect setting for their traditional designs in the home of Mrs. Essery.

Wants Warm Materials
Dear Miss Crumb: I read your Quilt Club Corner and have made a good many quilts in my life. I wonder if any of the readers of your Corner would be kind enough to send me wool pieces for heavy quilts. They do not have to be new, as long as they are warm. I want this quilt for utility rather than beauty.

I am dependent on my young son, who earns a small wage for support and so I cannot buy materials but I have lots of time to make quilts.

Please print or broadcast this soon as I expect to move shortly.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wells
3140 Park Ave.,
Detroit, Michigan

Perhaps some of you will be able to help Mrs. Wells. Be sure to put your return address on your package so that if Mrs. Wells has moved without leaving a change of address it will be returned to you.

These Members Belong to Quilt Club Corner
Mrs. Lillian Bailet,
Route No. 2 Siblet Road,
Romulus, Mich.

Nellie Bryant,
616 N. Ann Street,
Albion, Mich.

Mrs. L. A. Lingle,
27 Carter avenue,
Pontiac, Mich.

Mrs. Henry Stewart,
1099 Van Dyke Apt. 38,

Estella E. Fredrick,
455 Utah street,
Toledo, O.

Mrs. F. B. Frey,
2475 S. Edsel avenue,

Miss Jean Frick,
32008 Gratiot avenue, Route 4,

Mrs. Walter Frick,
32098 Gratiot avenue, Route 4,
Mt. Clemens, Mich.

Miss Barbara Friday,
3023 Lothrop avenue,

Mrs. Eileen Friese,
829 Glinnan avenue,

Beauty in the Home Editor:
Please enter my name as a member of the Beauty in the Home Quilt Club.

Name
Street and number
City
State

Chicago Quilt Arrived Late
This quilt which contains 1467 pieces is a copy of one made in 1835 and has pieced and appliqued blocks alternated. It is in black and white print and plain white material.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.

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