October 19, 1932

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Beauty in the Home column including an advertisement for the first pattern leaflet for the Horoscope quilt, letters from Quilt Club members, and a coupon for Quilt Club membership.

Windows are important, of course, from the standpoint of light and ventilation, but from the decorative standpoint also and must be treated very carefully in order that you may get the most out of your room in the way of charm.

Could anything be much more ideal than the room as shown if one wanted an attractive, livable, hospitable room - one that would make a house the gathering place, really a very flattering attitude on the part of one's friends.

Plain painted walls and woodwork in oyster white would be ideal for the background if colorful chintzes are to be used in the scheme, and for the floor covering large sized Oriental rugs would be in keeping with a room as large as this. These may have deep rose backgrounds, showing shades of blue, green and gold in the design.

Glass curtains of a fine quality of white voile or marquisette finished with ruffles would give the windows just the degree of charm that is required; and for the overdraperies light green ground flowered chintz with deep rose predominating in the design would be effective. These should be very simply made, finished to reach to the floor and put up with shirred valance of the same material. They may be lined, but are not incorrect if left unlined for the transparency of the pattern in this material in this kind of a room is very delightful.

The sofa and one chair may be equipped with slip covers of material to match the draperies, plain deep rose chintz being selected for a wing chair.

We sometimes find light turquoise blue used for the woodwork and walls of this type of room and with this there might be a floor covering of light beige carpeting.

The glass curtains may be of either white or cream voile finished with ruffles and the overdraperies of apricot ground flowered chintz, this being used for the slip covers also on the sofa and one large chair, the wing chair having a slip cover of plain apricot chintz, piped in turquoise blue.

Then there is the soft and light green background which is always attractive. With this there may be a green floor covering, ivory ground draperies, and a deep rose chintz slip cover for the wing chair.

The lamp shades in a room with as much pattern and color as shown here should be very simple; those for the first scheme being in white; for the second apricot and the third, ivory of yellow.

Quilt Club Corner.Surely, the Quilt Club members will be interested in this letter from Mrs. N. C. who says:
I am an elderly lady way past three score years and ten and dearly love to piece quilts when time permits.

I am a widow and am looking after my son and his little children. I do all the work, including the laundry, for a family of six including myself.

I have had many lovely patterns from the News and have been very well pleased with all I have received. Thank you so much for all of them. Have just completed two and have four nearly cut out for my winter evenings' work when the children are safely tucked beneath the blankets and my son is busy with his music.

Everyone usually calls me Gran or mother; but I like Gran best so I'll just sign myself.
Gran.

That's just the nicest letter we could imagine, Gran, to start our Quilt Club column with and we don't see how you do all that work and make all of those quilts, too. Don't forget to write to us again.

Pattern No. 1 of Horoscope Quilt

We are all ready to start, for we have for you the first design in the Horoscope quilt. This is on a leaflet with all directions, colors, methods, etc. and you are certain to find this a very interesting occupation.

Do not fail to send right away for your pattern as it is ready to be mailed right out to you. And when sending in for this do not fail to enclose the membership blank so that you may become a member of the Beauty in the Home Quilt club. There will be no dues - just your interest and enthusiasm are required, and we know that we will have that for the club is certainly going to be interesting.

We not only expect lots of new members but also applications from those who have made quilts from other Detroit News patterns.

In sending in your request for the leaflet of pattern No. 1, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you prefer you may obtain this leaflet free of charge at the Detroit News Public Service Bureay in either the Majestic Building or the General Motors Building.

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…………………

This enrollment in the Beauty in the Home Quilt Club entitles the member to enter her quilt in the exhibit which will be held after the completion of the series of Horoscope patterns. Date of announcement will be made later.

Anyone who has completed a quilt from any Detroit News pattern will be eligible to become a member and enter this contest.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.