January 25, 1934

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Quilt Club Corner column including an advertisement for the Calico Nosegay Quilt pattern, a coupon for Quilt Club membership, and letters from Quilt Club Corner members.

Old-Fashioned Calicos Still Favorites
Modern Quilt Like Antique
Chooses Same Old Turkey Red, Sprigged Green.

By Edith B. Crumb.

THE cut shows Mrs. D. J. Flynn, 21 Bartlett avenue, Highland Park, one of the visitors at the Detroit Women Florists’ Tea and a woman who has a fine appreciation of quilts. she selected this as being especially interesting because it was such a good reproduction of the old-time style and faithful as to color, design and materials.

AT THE Detroit Women Florists’ Quilt Tea last week among those contributed by Mrs. E. C. Stephenson, 12533 Broadstreet blvd., was the one shown in the illustration and it had every appearance of being an antique.

On close inspection, however, it proved to be quite new and I enquired as to its age. Mrs. Stephenson said that after her grandmother was 80 years of age she made this quilt.

Of course, she had made many in her lifetime but they had all been from scraps and so Mrs. Stephenson planned to give her a real treat and said. “Now grandmother, if you could have any kind of material you wished to make into a quilt, what would you select?” And what do you think she decided upon? Turkey red and sprigged green calico were what she wanted more than anything else.

So many times we who buy dainty tints and colors think that the old red and green quilts were not made from choice but because those were the colors on hand at the time. but when an old-time quilter would prefer them to anything else it is proof that their sturdy character has real merit for quilting.

The pattern is also typical of the early days of the quilter and though this dear old lady designed every bit of the quilt herself, it suggests the quaintness seen in antiques. Isn’t the border graceful? And you would find the balance of color excellent.

It is interesting to ask the old-time quilters as to their preferences of colors and designs. Some are very enthusiastic about the new ones and others will not be turned away from their first styles of quilt-making.

QUILT CLUB CORNER
Never Misses Letters.
I am very much interested in your Quilt Corner and never miss the letters published each evening, although I am afraid I have been rather lazy in the past about starting in to make a quilt, but this Old Fashioned Nosegay particularly appealed to me, and I am writing to ask you to send me the first leaflet so I can get started on it now that the holiday rush is over.

I am so sorry I missed the Quilt Exhibit buy may be there with a quilt or two if there is another one next year.
MRS. P. DYMENT.
7118 Hartwell Ave.,
E. Dearborn, Mich.

The first leaflet of the Old Fashioned Nosegay quilt has been sent out to you and by now you should have the color scheme all laid out, the pieces cut and, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had it nearly put together. It is so fascinating to make that I know you will not want to leave it alone until it is finished.

I am sorry, too, that you missed the exhibit but if there is another one this year I shall look forward to seeing two or three entered by you, Mrs. Dyment. And please write again.

Is Making Trip.
I must write and tell you how I do enjoy the letters and the quilts in the News each week. I have always read articles and thought of writing each day, and now I am finally writing.

I was very fortunate to be able to get to the Exhibit and see all the lovely quilts. The one I liked the best was the Trip Around the World. On my first visit downtown I got the pattern. I intend to make one in four shades of lavender.

I have made quilts for years. I am looking forward to the new quilt patterns. I do hope the Corner is to continue. I enjoy every word of it.
MRS. GRACE I. WILLS.
Detroit, Michgan.

There are Trips and Trips and Trips being made now, since so many saw quilts from this pattern at the Contest. I am sure that your quilt in four shades and tints of lavender will be very attractive.

Now that you have finally started to write to the Corner I hope that you will write regularly and keep the “ball rolling.”

FEELS BETTER ACQUAINTED.
I am almost ashamed to write after waiting so long since the Exhibit, but here I am with my apologies for the tardiness of my letter, and with highest praise for the Exhibit. I feel so much better acquainted with the Corner. I spent one afternoon and two nights there. Now I know that it wasn’t half time enough.

I was disappointed that I did not meet any of the ladies that I exchanged pieces with through the mail, especially Mrs. Weber, of Detroit, and Mrs. Cowper, of Rockwood, although I did see Mrs. Cowper’s quilt and recognized some of the pieces that I had given her.

I have about 500 pieces cut for the Dresden Plate and would like to exchange them or pieces with members. I would like to make three Dresden Plate quilts. I saw some very pretty ones at the Exhibit, and got some good ideas.
ANN PELKEY,
Howell, Michigan.

Don’t apologize one bit for your tardiness in writing. A letter at any time is welcome and it was a pleasure to receive yours this week.

If there is a Contest this year, we will try to have a much larger Corner for exchanging patches and meeting friends. I did not realize how popular it was to be or I would have provided more space this year.

However, I am so glad that you came and I hope that you will soon have enough pieces for your Dresden Plates.

Dainty Sprigged Calico for Nosegay Number 4
The calicos you will be using for nosegay number four in the Old Fashioned Nosegay series will make you think of those in your great grandmothers quilt because the dainty little dotted and sprigged patterns will be needed for some of the posies in the bouquet.

Leaflet number four is now ready, but if you haven’t already secured the first three of the series it isn’t too late to send for them.

Address quilt club corner and enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Leaflets are free and may also be called for at The Detroit News Public Service Bureau in the Majestic Building, the General Motors Building, and the Pontiac Bank 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.

6268.1.20; 6119.43.20