April 16, 1955

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser

Detroit, Michigan, United States

An article advertising a lecture by Florence Peto at the Henry Ford Museum.

Expert Reads Social History of Bygone Days From Quilts

By Edith B. Crumb

Every quilt-maker should draw a big red circle on her calendar around Thursday for that is the date that Mrs. Florence Peto, noted needle-woman, writer and collector, is to lecture on quilts at the Henry Ford Museum. Time is 8:30 p.m.

Mrs. Peto's subject will be "American Quilts" and she draws her material from her experience in 20 years of collecting which she started as a hobby.

Old DiariesHer research into textiles and needlework with access to many old diaries, letters and family documents has made a career of her hobby. In her earch she has gained much information about the colonial and pioneer women who made quilts and coverlets for their home.

Mrs. Peto will not only discuss the techniques and patchwork patterns but she will also tell the history and folklore represented in her display which will also be at the Museum.

Mrs. Peto says, "each quilt is a study of the family in which it was made and the conditions surrounding its making which contributes a picture to social history."

Quilt Club
Most of the quilts to be shown are antiques but some have been made by Mrs. Peto who utilizes old fabrics and traditional designs in most of her examples. In her lecture she will show illustrations of 45 hand-made quilt patterns.

Doesn't this take you quilt-makers back about 15 years when The Detroit News had a Quilt Club Corner with approximately 5,000 members representing every state in the Union and many foreign countries?

And don't you remember the quilt shows in which over 3,000 quilts were on display and which drew 50,000 to 60,000 visitors in three days? This should make you a little bit nostalgic. But a trip to this exhibit will do a lot to make you happier for quilt-makers never become bored with looking at quilts especially such beautiful and interesting ones as these.

The lecture is at 8:30 but the doors will be open at 7:30 so that the visitors may study these fascinating quilts. Admission is $1.50.

Appliqued floral design quilt, at left, is called "little birds." It is in four, yard-square units, was made about 1830. Quilt, at right, has compass design.

Crib-size quilt, at left, was made by Mrs. Florence Peto. Center quilt was made about 1850 by Mennonite family. Third quilt carries name, "Where Liberty Dwells."

Antique Show In Pontiac Open Tuesday
Early American antiques will take top billing at Pontiac's third annual antique show, scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday in Stevens Hall, All Saints Episcopal Church.

Sixteen collectors will be showing heirlooms, ranging from furniture from rural American homes, to jewelry imported from Europe. One booth will be furnished with items from a country general store.

The show is sponsored by a guild of the church.

​​​Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.