May 01, 1933

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A portion of a Beauty in the Home column including a description and form to order the new Detroit News Wonder Package and reader's letters on how they used the Wonder Package.

Beauty in the Home
800 Patterns for 49c In News Wonder Package
by Edith B. Crumb
This department seeks to give assistance to all who are interested in beautifying their homes and will be glad to answer questions pertaining to interior decoration. In order to serve all who, seek advice promptly no more than three problems will be discussed in any one reply. Readers are invited to write to this department as often as they wish, but to limit each letter to three questions. State your question clearly write on only one side of the paper, enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope and address Beauty in the Home department, Detroit News. Letters with their answers will be published for the benefit of all homemakers but names and addresses will not be made public.

There isn’t a design in the large illustration that would not be a joy to a little boy for balloons, automobiles, sailing ships base balls and bats all seem to be fascinating to children. The bunnies, Scotties, chirping bird smiling sun and star, as well as the friendly moon, are also attractive motifs that would be a delight to a child. Little girls will enjoy them as well as the little boys.

They may be used for painted decorations, for the outlines are so simple that they are easy to fill in or they may be used for embroidery, the etching or chain stitch lending itself to the plain outlines.

Every child likes to have a painting book and it is really more fun to make one than to buy it already finished. The transferring is so easy to do- for all that is necessary is to dampen the back of the design after it has been laid face down, on the material to which is to be applied and then rub over it with the bowl of a spoon or other smooth object.

Lamp Shade Decoration
There is another little bunny shown in one of the small illustrations and this would be attractive for the decoration of a lamp shade or small box. And what about that little kitchen? Couldn’t you just see that on the front of the bib or romper suit?

Not all of the designs in the Wonder package are for children, for there are over 800 in all and they include patterns for embroidered scallops, sprays of flowers, clusters of flowers, cross stitch, Italian cut work initials and monograms- to go on and tell you all about it would take too long, but no matter what you may wish a decorative motif for it is certain to be found in the Wonder Package.

There are also illustrations and explanations for the making of 21 different kinds of embroidery stitches and this, alone, is a very valuable feature.

And inasmuch as the designs may be transferred to wood, cloth, paper, metal, glass, pottery, paint, enamel, oil cloth, leather to any smooth surface on which you wish a painted, embroidered or appliqued decoration, you can readily realize what a prize it would be to own one.Hardly Seems Possible.
Just imagine being able to buy over 800 transfer patterns for only 49 cents. It scarcely seems possible, but all you have to do it to see one to realize what a bargain it really is and how fortunate you are to have taken advantage of the offer.

If you would like to call for this Wonder Package, it may be obtained at the main office of The Detroit News Public Service Bureau, in either the Majestic Building or the General Motors Building, and the price will be but 49 cents.

If you wish to have it mailed to you the price will be 56 cents (to cover postage), and all you have to do is to fill out the coupon which is in this column for your convenience and send it to the Beauty in the Home Department, The Detroit News. Please send stamps or a money order and no coin through the mail.

Wonder Package Paragraphs
I just want to tell you that the whole family is enjoying The Detroit News Wonder Package: but the most important use to which I have put it so far is in making some napkin rings. I made them of white linene for I had several scraps of this left over form a dress I had made several years ago. I turned in a small hem and button-holed all around the outer edge and in the center put a small design - the kitten on one and a small flower on another and on the third (one for each of my children) I put a cherry and a couple of leaves. I used just part of the larger design.

I put a button and button-hole on the end of each of these napkin rings and it is no trick at all to launder them. When I get time I intend to make one more of each so that there will always be a clean one.

The children are making pictures for their rooms from some of the designs and later on I will write again and tell you more of the things we are doing.
Mrs. H.O.

Thank you so much, Mrs. O., for writing is about that idea for a good many mothers will find it helpful and appreciate your hint regarding it. Hope you will write again.

I certainly bought that Wonder Package just in time for we had decided to repaint all of the canisters in the kitchen and did not know what to use for decorations on them. The bunch of cherries is just the thing for the cans as yellow and the red and green of the fruit makes them very attractive.

Hope you write us of more of your ideas, Mrs. A.
Mrs. G.Y.A.

P.E.O. Chapter.
Chaper O. of P.E.O. will be entertained Wednesday at a luncheon at 12 o'clock at the home of Mrs. C.W. Duval, 5034 Underwood avenue.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.