November 14, 1933

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser; Lynne Charlet; Harriet Clarke

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Beauty in the Home column including instructions for quilt drop-off and pick-up, an announcement about the Quilt Club Contest, and letters from Quilt Club members.

Beauty in the Home
You've Just On More Day to Bring in Your Quilts, November 15, 1933
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.

This little patchwork quilt lady wishes to have a chat with you and the first thing she will probably say, shaking her finger at you is "have you sent your quilt in for the Contest?"

And don't you hope you can say, "Yes" or "oh, no, but I am bringing it in early Wednesday morning so that I know it will be carefully checked and all ready to be hung and in time for the Contest?"

One more day - just one more day! It does not sound like much time, but it is plenty for you to get that quilt all wrapped up and brought down to the main office of The Detroit News, Second and Lafayette.

You may bring as many new quilts made from News' patterns as you wish and as many antiques also.

And don't be discouraged because you have finished a top and do not have the time to have it quilted because there is a section for pieced tops and one for appliqued tops as well as entire sections for complete tops.

Hand woven coverlets are coming in by the score and anyone who finds old materials fascinating will want to spend hours in examining the old piecework and patchwork quilts. Many of these were made by candle light and very little of that; for, after all, to make candles was expensive and were not used profusely. Of course, daytime sewing was scarcely ever heard of for there was so many other tasks that had to be taken up for it was considered a recreation rather than a duty.

So with your electric lights, pleasingly shaded, your easy chairs, waxed thread, fine materials and guaranteed fast colors have little to worry about when making a quilt. But isn't it fun just the same? And, in spite of all that is being said today about color-fast materials you will see quilts over a hundred years old that have been washed many times with colors still fast.

Don't forget that Wednesday is the last day that you can make your quilt entries and the earlier in the day that you can reach the News, the more it will be appreciated.

I still have some entry blanks that are waiting for quilts to come in so that thay may be transferred to the "Naval Armory File" and by Wednesday at 9 P. M., I hope to have the waiting file empty.

The Contest will open at noon on Friday and will remain open until 10 P. M. each day following the same schedule.

Will you please call for your quilts the day after the closing of the Contest (Monday, November 20) at the Naval Armory?

Quilt Club Corner.
Some time ago I sent in a blank with my name and address for entry in the Contest. I am not sure that you received it. Also I wrote of sending three and now I find I can send five. Will that be all right.

Anyone wanting to see my quilts may do so at any time.
Mrs. Grace Houghton
44 Mullet, Mt. Clemens, Mich.

It does not make any difference how many quilts you send in, Mrs. Houghton; and I am so happy to know that you will have five instead of three. Please bring them as soon as possible.

I have two antique quilts I would like to enter in your contes providing you would like to have them. One is an antique coverlet made by my grandmother. She gathered the wool from the sheep, carded and colored it to make the coverlet. It is between 85 and 90 years old.

The other is a quilt made by my mother and is at least 75 years old. It is an appliqued design and quilted in feathers and flowers. She called it the Rose of Sharon pattern.
Mrs. G.C. Hall

Please bring both of those antique quilts for the Contest Mrs. Hall. They certainly must be interesting and I think that they certainly ought to be included. They may be brought to The Detroit News main office. Second and Lafayette as soon as you wish.

I have not written for some time as I have been ill. When I mailed in my entry card I did not know that I could enter a top also, so I am adding it to my entry if it is not to late. It is one my mother made. I have made several News quilts and have three quilts in various stages of making now.

I would like to belong to the Quilt Club. I have one neighbor who quilts so we work together.
Mrs. M.M. Jeffreys
20433 Santa Rosa, Detroit, Mich.

Isn't it nice that you have these tops to enter in the Contest, Mrs. Jeffreys? Please bring them as soon as possible.

Your name has been added to the list of Club members.

Important Notice of Quilt Contest
Due to the fact that so many have written in for an extension of time on their quilts, it has become necessary to postpone the Quilt Contest until some time in November.

Now – will everyone who has ever made a quilt from a News pattern consider exhibiting it? More than one may be entered and all that one has to do is to fill out the coupon which will be found on this page Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and send it to the Beauty in the Home Department, The Detroit News. This notice must be in before October 15 and your cooperation in sending it in as quickly as possible will be appreciated.

If you have never made a quilt from a News pattern, but have an old quilt, 50 years of age or more, you may enter that. There is a great interest in old quilts and you will be aiding in the revival of this early American occupation if you will allow others to see some heirloom which you may have.

Will you not sent in your coupon at once?

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.

6268.2.5; 6119.43C