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No Two Blocks Alike in This Charming Quilt
December 20, 1933
Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Harriet Clarke
Detroit, Michigan, United States
A newspaper clipping from the Detroit News collected by a member of the Clarke family. Titled, "No Two Blocks Alike in This Charming Quilt." "This Unusual Quilt Will Interest Child for Hours."
No Two Blocks Alike In This Charming Quilt
This Unusual Quilt Will Interest Child for Hours
By Edith B. Crumb
Only a 100 per cent aunt could possible think of a quilt like the fascinating one shown in today's illustration and unless she had just the right kind of a little niece to appreciate it she would not have been able to make it.
But Miss Marie Dolecke, of 3310 Northwestern avenue, Detroit, has just this kind of a niece by the name of Rhoda Carter who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and she is just seven years old. Can't you see how delighted she will be with this quilt, which is really for her doll's bed and, of course, there will be no end of the happiness of the doll who is to have it.
The quilt is 15 blocks long by 13 blocks wide and each row is made up alternately of plain white blocks and those composed of four tiny patches. The small patches are of colored calicos, the upper left and lower right matching, while the lower right matching, whilte the other two also match but are of entirely different fabrics.
Each one of these little blocks is cut about an inch and a half wide which, when seamed, will make a four-patch about four inches square and this should be the size of the plain block.
Miss Dolecke has been successful in obtaining prints with tiny kittens, dogs, clocks and flowers and these different designs have been centered in the blocks.
In each of the plain blocks she has drawn or transferred a different picture and these have been quilted, the quilting going through to the wrong side and forming a picture there. There are flowers, animals, fruits, a tea kettle, dust pan, broom, butterfly, windmill, clock, key, star, sun, moon, duck, squirrel, kite and just an endless list of pictures that would entertain a child.
There will be some which will be searched for everyday for they will prove favorites and I think that the sun with that hapy face will be the one that will be Rhoda's "pet" for her aunt tells me she is very fond of the sunshine and looks for it each morning.
The quilting on this is done in bright red and Rhoda's name and the year 1933 are etched at the bottom of the quilt. This is a good idea for anyone to follow on a large quilt, for dateless quilts prove difficult problems in years to come. Do you date yours?
Like the Old Quilts
I enjoyed reading Gran's letter. I am so glad to hear that she is getting along so well. I am very sorry that I missed her at the Exhibit.
I have my Winged Square all finished now and am rather proud of it as it is the first quilt I ever quilted. I surely do love to piece quilts. I have pieced a good many in my lifetime and can't seem to quilt.
After the holidays are over I am going to start in again. I spent most of my time at the Exhibit amongst the old quilts and the quilting made me resolve to do better on my own.
Mrs. Elizabeth Chainesky.
1846 Green north, Detroit, Mich.
Gran's rapid recovery is good news to everyone and very surprising, too, for she certainly had the appearance of not being able to use her hand for a long time. So you may know I was surprised to receive a letter written to her.
The Winged Square is a very lovely old pattern. What colors have you selected for yours?
Weren't the old quilts fascinating though Mrs. Chainesky? I don't blame you for wanting to spend a lot of time among them. And now, please write again.
Enjoyed Glorious Colors
Whenever I think of the good time I had at the Contest, looking at all of those lovely quilts, I feel that I would like to say "thank you" to everyone who helped make such a pleasure possible. After attending two days, I was sorry not to go the third one, too.
It was difficult to decide which I enjoyed the most, the glory of the coloring, the designs or the fine needlework. I loved the soft colors in the older quilts, especially the pinks. A quilting design that I admired was kindly mailed to me by the maker. One of the charming traits of quilt makers is their willingness to share patterns, designs and pieces.
May the New Year bring lots of new patterns, new members, and another Contest to the Quilt Corner.
Mrs. Gertrude Hovey
1895 East Grand Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan
You, for one, Mrs. Hovey, seemed to get a world of enjoyment out of the Contest, for it seems that everything about it was thrilling to you. You would go along way before you would find such a large crown of pleasant people as these quilt-makers and those who exhibited the antiques, also. Every one was pleasant to everybody else and very accommodating about exchanging patterns, suggestions and patches.
Thank you for your New Year wishes. The patterns are being planned, the new members are coming in thick and fast and we will all hope for another Contest.
Little Girl's Letter.
Would you please send me a pattern of the Doll's quilt? I would like to make my doll a quilt.
We went down to see the quilts at the Exhibit. They were very pretty.
Mother has a quilt and it is lovely. She bought a Wonder package. She has started the Philadelphia Pavement quilt.
I am eleven years old.
Betty Canlett
12652 Mark Twain, Detroit, Mich.
Your pattern for the doll quilt has been sent, Betty, and I hope that you will enjoy making it.
There must be a good many designs in the Wonder Package that would be nice for you to use on book covers, lamp shades, curtains and different things for your room.
The Philadelphia Pavement is a very attractive quilt and I am sure that your mother will enjoy making and having it.
Sends for Doll Quilt Designs
I think the Nosegay pattern will be very pretty. It must be a lot like the Flower Garden. I was sorry I did not get mine finished in time for the Contest, but will try and do better for next year. Yes, I, too, am hoping for another Contest. I think the other was wonderful and I want to thank The Detroit News for the help we get in quilt-making.
I wonder if I can have the pattern for the Doll quilt and the pattern for the little patchwork?
Mrs. M.C.L.
Box 362, R 2-E, Detroit.
I do not know what you mean by the pattern for the little patchwork, but the design for the Doll quilt has been sent out to you.
The new Nosegay is somewhat like the Flower Garden as far as the way it is laid out is concerned; but you will find it much different to plan and assemble.
Be sure to have a quilt finished so that if there is another Contest I may be able to depend upon you for an entry - maybe two!
Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.
This Unusual Quilt Will Interest Child for Hours
By Edith B. Crumb
Only a 100 per cent aunt could possible think of a quilt like the fascinating one shown in today's illustration and unless she had just the right kind of a little niece to appreciate it she would not have been able to make it.
But Miss Marie Dolecke, of 3310 Northwestern avenue, Detroit, has just this kind of a niece by the name of Rhoda Carter who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and she is just seven years old. Can't you see how delighted she will be with this quilt, which is really for her doll's bed and, of course, there will be no end of the happiness of the doll who is to have it.
The quilt is 15 blocks long by 13 blocks wide and each row is made up alternately of plain white blocks and those composed of four tiny patches. The small patches are of colored calicos, the upper left and lower right matching, while the lower right matching, whilte the other two also match but are of entirely different fabrics.
Each one of these little blocks is cut about an inch and a half wide which, when seamed, will make a four-patch about four inches square and this should be the size of the plain block.
Miss Dolecke has been successful in obtaining prints with tiny kittens, dogs, clocks and flowers and these different designs have been centered in the blocks.
In each of the plain blocks she has drawn or transferred a different picture and these have been quilted, the quilting going through to the wrong side and forming a picture there. There are flowers, animals, fruits, a tea kettle, dust pan, broom, butterfly, windmill, clock, key, star, sun, moon, duck, squirrel, kite and just an endless list of pictures that would entertain a child.
There will be some which will be searched for everyday for they will prove favorites and I think that the sun with that hapy face will be the one that will be Rhoda's "pet" for her aunt tells me she is very fond of the sunshine and looks for it each morning.
The quilting on this is done in bright red and Rhoda's name and the year 1933 are etched at the bottom of the quilt. This is a good idea for anyone to follow on a large quilt, for dateless quilts prove difficult problems in years to come. Do you date yours?
Like the Old Quilts
I enjoyed reading Gran's letter. I am so glad to hear that she is getting along so well. I am very sorry that I missed her at the Exhibit.
I have my Winged Square all finished now and am rather proud of it as it is the first quilt I ever quilted. I surely do love to piece quilts. I have pieced a good many in my lifetime and can't seem to quilt.
After the holidays are over I am going to start in again. I spent most of my time at the Exhibit amongst the old quilts and the quilting made me resolve to do better on my own.
Mrs. Elizabeth Chainesky.
1846 Green north, Detroit, Mich.
Gran's rapid recovery is good news to everyone and very surprising, too, for she certainly had the appearance of not being able to use her hand for a long time. So you may know I was surprised to receive a letter written to her.
The Winged Square is a very lovely old pattern. What colors have you selected for yours?
Weren't the old quilts fascinating though Mrs. Chainesky? I don't blame you for wanting to spend a lot of time among them. And now, please write again.
Enjoyed Glorious Colors
Whenever I think of the good time I had at the Contest, looking at all of those lovely quilts, I feel that I would like to say "thank you" to everyone who helped make such a pleasure possible. After attending two days, I was sorry not to go the third one, too.
It was difficult to decide which I enjoyed the most, the glory of the coloring, the designs or the fine needlework. I loved the soft colors in the older quilts, especially the pinks. A quilting design that I admired was kindly mailed to me by the maker. One of the charming traits of quilt makers is their willingness to share patterns, designs and pieces.
May the New Year bring lots of new patterns, new members, and another Contest to the Quilt Corner.
Mrs. Gertrude Hovey
1895 East Grand Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan
You, for one, Mrs. Hovey, seemed to get a world of enjoyment out of the Contest, for it seems that everything about it was thrilling to you. You would go along way before you would find such a large crown of pleasant people as these quilt-makers and those who exhibited the antiques, also. Every one was pleasant to everybody else and very accommodating about exchanging patterns, suggestions and patches.
Thank you for your New Year wishes. The patterns are being planned, the new members are coming in thick and fast and we will all hope for another Contest.
Little Girl's Letter.
Would you please send me a pattern of the Doll's quilt? I would like to make my doll a quilt.
We went down to see the quilts at the Exhibit. They were very pretty.
Mother has a quilt and it is lovely. She bought a Wonder package. She has started the Philadelphia Pavement quilt.
I am eleven years old.
Betty Canlett
12652 Mark Twain, Detroit, Mich.
Your pattern for the doll quilt has been sent, Betty, and I hope that you will enjoy making it.
There must be a good many designs in the Wonder Package that would be nice for you to use on book covers, lamp shades, curtains and different things for your room.
The Philadelphia Pavement is a very attractive quilt and I am sure that your mother will enjoy making and having it.
Sends for Doll Quilt Designs
I think the Nosegay pattern will be very pretty. It must be a lot like the Flower Garden. I was sorry I did not get mine finished in time for the Contest, but will try and do better for next year. Yes, I, too, am hoping for another Contest. I think the other was wonderful and I want to thank The Detroit News for the help we get in quilt-making.
I wonder if I can have the pattern for the Doll quilt and the pattern for the little patchwork?
Mrs. M.C.L.
Box 362, R 2-E, Detroit.
I do not know what you mean by the pattern for the little patchwork, but the design for the Doll quilt has been sent out to you.
The new Nosegay is somewhat like the Flower Garden as far as the way it is laid out is concerned; but you will find it much different to plan and assemble.
Be sure to have a quilt finished so that if there is another Contest I may be able to depend upon you for an entry - maybe two!
Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.
6119.43.23
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Museum
Michigan State University Museum Michigan Quilt Project
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Collection
Detroit News Quilt History Project
Salser, Susan
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Collection
Clarke Family Quilt Collection
Michigan State University Museum
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