June 12, 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 discussing book storage and letters from Quilt Club Corner members.

Beauty in the Home
...of Books;...to Room
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.

Books, because of their interest and attractiveness, never fail to lend charm to a room and in return should be treated with respect and consideration.

No haphazard method of "housing" books should be permitted ina well regulated household and built-in shelves, placed against odd wall spaces or arranged in formal style, will allow them to add a decorative touch to the room that is not possible to achieve without them.

In the accompanying illustration is shown a room that is delightful, not only because it is well furnished and decorated, but because in its background are included rows of various colored books.

The windows are attractive, too, in the summer "dress", the two-pair-at-a-window arrangement allowing the cheery summer sunshine to enter and at the same time the lower portion is well screened.

If you would like to have a room of this type, you might finish the walls and woodwork (including the book-shelves) in chalk white and use white muslin, voile or marquisette for the curtains. These should be finished with narrow ruffles, straight bands of the same material being used to hold back the upper pair.

Flowered chintz of Toile de Jouy may bring color into the room by making slip covers of either of these materials for the larger upholstered pieces.

A sofa with a permanent covering is very attractive for the winter but it loses a certain amount of charm in the summer and seems to demand a slip cover in order that it may be comfortable as well as attractive.

It is also important to change the lamp shades, for with the windows open all day, it does not take long to spoil a silk shade, whereas an inexpensive one may be substituted for the summer months. One of parchment paper or paper treated to make it washable solves the problem and not only saves the silk shades but gives enough change in scheme to avoid any feeling of monotony that is so apt to be brought about by the use of the same accessories year in and year out.

Quilt Club Corner.
Have not enrolled as a member in the Quilt Club but do enjoy the broadcasts and the very interesting letters from members.

I am finishing the Double Wedding Ring and it is very pretty. I have three other tops ready to quilt.

I am most anxious to receive the Trip Around the World. It sounds very interesting. I hope to make one soon.
(Miss) B.S.
Royal Oak, Mich.

When you get the Trip started, Miss S., don't forget to send in your membership blank, for you will be eligible, and I would like to count you as one of the Corner members.

Have made the Dresden Plate quilt and it is beautiful. Am anxious to see the new pattern of the Trip Around the World. I pieced my first quilt when I was five years old and have made a good many since then. Have quilted two and started another this winter.

I wish success to all the Quilt Club members.
Mrs. F.K.
Mt. Clemens, Mich.

You pieced quilts very young, Mrs. K., but perhaps that is why you enjoy it so much now; and, of course, you must have made a great many. Did you save all of them?

I enjoy the Corner and that is the first thing I look for when the paper comes, for I find a lotof helpful ways of making quilts.

I have the Flower Garden Quilt all finished except the binding, and am pretty well caught up with the Horoscope, and have the Double Wedding Ring and Dresden Plate ready for quilting.

I with the club the best of luck.
Mrs. E.D.

You must have a great many helpful methods of your won, Mrs. D., for anyone who has made as many quilts as you is an experienced quilt-maker, and I am certainly glad that you find interesting items in the Corner.

Have pieced several quilt tops this winter and also helped quilt several.

Had to leave Detroit during this depression, but am living in hopes of returning again some day in the near future. Perhaps no one realizes more than I how much The Detroit News may be missed, especially this department, for I received so much help as to color schemes, etc.
Mrs. F.M.
Celina, O.

Hope it won't be much longer before you will be back in Detroit, but even if you are down in Ohio you may belong to the Quilt Club and perhaps in the early fall when the quilt contest is on you may be able to attend and bring a quilt or two. Do try - won't you?

I am interested in the Quilt Club Corner and will say that I can hardly wait until I get the pattern of the Trip Around the World so I can start my quilt, as I think it will be very handsome. I have only pieced two quilts this winter as I have been in poor health.
Mrs. H.C.
River Rouge, Mich.

Two quilts in one winter would be quite a task for some people and I think you did very well, considering your poor health. I trust you will like starting the Trip right away and will be able to stay on it to the finish.

I listen to your radio broadcasts every Wednesday and enjoy them very much. I am making the Double Wedding Ring quilt from the Detroit News pattern and I find it very interesting. I am putting mine together with yellow.
Mrs. G.W.P.
Port Huron, Mich.

You will find yellow a very attractive background for a Double Wedding Ring quilt. Am glad that you find it so interesting. It has been very popular - in fact, it does not seem to lose its popularity, for every day quilt-makers are sending for those pattern.

Thieves stole the locked door from a residence in Alton, Okla. Nothing else was molested.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.