May 14, 1935

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

The first leaflet in the Laurel Wreath Quilt Pattern series.

The Detroit News
Public Service Bureau
Radio Station WWJ The Home Newspaper Interior Decoration
Laurel Wreath Quilt - Leaflet No. 1
Wreath Design

On this quilt are 25 appliqued wreaths. The outer ones and the middle ones in each are cut 12 1/2 inches square. By the time the seams are off that leaves those blocks measuring exactly 12 inches.

The second and fourth ones in each row are cut 10 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches. The reason for the difference is this. To get an effect of intertwining and overlapping leaves it was necessary to make the second and fourth row of blocks a little narrower. As you work with it you will see that if we had not done this, each wreath would have remained apart and separate. By overlapping we get an allover or intertwined effect.

Select one shade of green for the wreaths and stems and a deeper (quite a bit deeper) for the leaves and stems to be used in the flower and bird appliques. Choose the two greens at one time so you are sure you have harmonious shades. And be sure you choose green which looks well on the background of the quilt. This background may be pure white or an ivory tint.

In the design given you today you see six leaves. Five of them are marked "L" and one is marked "M." There will be three sizes in the finished wreath. "L" stands for large. "M" for mediums and "S" for small which you will see on Leaflet No. 2.

Pay no attention to the dotted lines in the first, third and last block of each row. The leaves are placed in that position when the second and fourth rows are put in. They are the same leaves, just a little differently placed.

Use narrow bias tape for the leaf material cut bias for the stems. Study the small picture to see the way the finished wreath will look. Don't try to applique any of this design for you need the top part of the wreath which is on Leaflet No. 2 in order to have an unbroken stem.

You can get some cuttin done. Rembers this and Leaflet No. 2 are the patterns for 25 blocks; so each wreath has 5 small leaves on each side or 10 in a complete wreath (250 of them in all); 3 medium leaves on each side of 6 in a complete wreath (150 of these in all) and 5 large ones on each side or 10 in a complete wreath (250 in all); so in the completed top you will require 650 leaves. It is advisable that in cutting these three sizes you make three piles, one for each size. By impaling them on a pin or running a thread straight up through the pile the leaves are kept together and unwrinkled.

Now, for leaflet No. 2 which is necessary with this one in order to give you the entire wreath.

There are no seams allowed in leaf nor stem pattern. Therefore in cutting them it is necessary to allow a small amount for turning under. It is best to cut the pattern the size given here and then lay it on the cloth, make an outline with pencil and cut the seam allowance beyond that outline. Then the edge is turned under along the pencil mark, assuring you of a uniform sized leaf.

Lay the leaf pattern on the goods in a diagonal position and you get leaves easier to applique. And you use less goods as well.

For beauty suggestions read Lois Leed's articles every day in The Detroit News.

1459 - ID49
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Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.

2016:5.46; 6119.82.45.3