June 25, 1935

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Quilt Club Corner column including letters from Quilt Club members and a list of Quilt Club members.

A Frame You Can Make for Less Than $2.00
This shows what a small amount of space this frame required. Its sturdy but lights construction makes it possible to assemble or take it apart easily and quickly.
Light, Collapsible Structure Holds Quilt Firmly in Place

By Edith B. Crumb

In the first Detroit News quilt show (1933) there was an antique quilt with an urn in the center and gracefully designed groupings of flowers surrounding it. Several quilt-makers admired this and decided to copy it and one day Mrs. Charles Voelker, 12022 Hartwell avenue, told me that she had the top of hers almost finished and I told her to bring it in and have a picture taken of it when it was ready.

Just to show you how luckily things happen sometimes, I'll tell you how I came to have this picture of Mrs. Voelker working so industriously.

Right On Time:
On the day I received her letter telling that she could bring in her quilt any time that it would be convenient for me, Mr. Bodkin, the Handcraft editor, asked me if I could get a quilt and quilt makers to pose for the new quilting frame which he has just built and it was just like picking a rabbit out of a silk hat, for before Mr. Bodkin could take a deep breath there was Mrs. Voelker walking right in with her quilt- top tucked away neatly under her arm.

And then in an unbelievably short time the frames were assembled the quilt put on and Mrs. Voelker picked up needle and thread and there we were! - all ready for the picture.

Less than $2.00.
Not much of the quilt shows, I realize, but I wasn't you to see the quilting frames, which made be made at home for less than $2.00. Surely there must be someone about the house who is handy with saw, hammer, or whatever it takes to put this frame together, and I understand it is very simple.

I would never, never undertake to tell you how it may be done, for I would only get you all confused, but Mr. bodkin has put the plan for this down in black and white on a leaflet which you may obtain by calling at The Detroit News Public Service Bureau in the Majestic Building, or at The News uptown office in the General Motors Building. This may be ordered by mail by including with your request a 2 cent stamp if the leaflet is to be mailed out of the city. Please ask for Handicraft Leaflet No. 35.

You'll Like it!
There is no doubt that you will like this frame, for several reasons. First it is light, simple to make, sturdy and, second, it may be taken apart easily and quickly and put away in the closet. It is just the ideal type of quilting frame for the apartment where space is at such a premium.

And here is another feature that you will like. It has ratchets and Pawls (two of each) which make it possible to roll the quilt tightly and hold it firmly in position.

This frame is 32 inches height and a quilt two and one-half yards long may be put on it without turning in at the sides, for this is the length of the poles between the end pieces.

Ready for Show!
Could a frame like this have been designed for a better time? I should say not! Here you are just about ready to put your quilt show top on the frames and probably wondering just what you will have to do about it. Now all you'll have to worry about is getting someone to make the frames, and that shouldn't be so difficult with the boy's home from school and father has probably been wondering how to put in a few hours time.

A little later on I will show you a picture of Mrs. Voelker's quilt for I know you will find it very interesting.

All New Members on List Today
Usually there are old and new members on the Quilt Club Corner list, but today all 11 are brand new and that is the way it will be for several days, as so many are joining right now. Doesn't that make you happy? Here is today's list:

Mrs. George Bailey
7600 Nuernberg Ave
Detroit, Mich.

Miss Lois Bennett
6844 Coleman Ave
Dearborn, Mich.

Miss Betty Dawson
6606 Yinger Ave.,
Dearborn, Mich.

Mrs. Cecilia De Visscher
Box No. 509
Mt. Clemens, Mich.

Mrs. John Lukasek
Strawberry Lake,
Hamburg, Mich.

Ruth Nickel
Ida, Mich.

Mrs. O.C. Peterson
326 E Golden Ave
Cripple Creek, Colo.

Bessie L Porterfield
Wm H Maybury San
Room 116
Northville, Mich.

Mrs. S.M. Prucha
Strawberry Lake,
Hamburg, Mich.

Mrs. Ruth Rothbone
Rural Route No. 2,
Wayne, Mich.
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Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.