January 3, 1936

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

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

'Aunt Jane' Sees Sermon in Making of Our Quilts

By Edith B. Crumb

Have you ever noticed how many different quilts there can be even though they are all made from the same pattern, And though the same materials are used, there is still a difference for not all quilt-makers take the same sized seams or quilting stitches.

And every quilt maker likes to do something to make her quilt just a little more individual and there is usually an original touch to each, sometimes in the border and sometimes in the joining strips.

Finds Sermon in Quilt
If you are interested about sermons in quilts, you may enjoy reading a little paragraph which Elissa Calvert Hall has "Aunt Jane of Kentucky" say: How much piecing a quilt is like living a life! " Many times I sat and listened to Parson Page preachin" about predestination and free will, and I've said to myself, "If I could jest git up in the pulpit with one of my quilts I could make it a heap plainer to folks than parson's making it with his big words." You see, you start out with just so much caliker; you don't go to the store and pick it out and buy it, but the neighbors will give you a piece here and a piece there, and you'll have a piece left over every time you cut a dress, and you take jest what happens to come.

Each Chooses Patterns
"And that's like predestination. But when it comes to the cutting out, you're free to choose your own pattern. You can give the same kind o pieces to two persons, and one'll make a 'nine-patch' and one'll make a 'wild-goose chase' and there'll be two quilts made out of the same kind of pieces, and jest as different as they can be. And that is the way with livin'. The Lord sends us pieces, but we can cut them out and put 'em together pretty much to suit ourselves, and there's a heap more in the cutting out and the sewing than there is in the caliker."

Aunt Jane had it pretty well figured out- don't you think? At least her little sermon is one to think about and I know that there is something about her sentiments which you will never forget as long s you continue making quilts.

Greetings from Cornerite
Dear Miss Crumb and Beatrice: Just a line to you and all of our Quilt Club members to wish all a very Happy New Year. I would like to write to each of my quilt friends personally but due to illness in my family it has been impossible to do this; so I am extending our greetings to all, through our beloved Quilt Club Corner.
Mrs. Edna Frick
R.R. No. 4 Box 405
Mt. Clemens, Mich.

That was certainly very nice of you, Mrs. Frick to take the time to write us that friendly note when I know you must be very busy. I am sure everyone joins me in wishing for good health as well as happiness for you during the year of 1936.

Child's Friendship Quilt
Dear Miss Crumb: I am so busy with my 4 month old baby that I have very little time for writing but a Mrs. Barnard heard my suggestion of using the airplane pattern for a friendship quilt for my son who is 11 years old. She wanted to know if I would like to have three blocks from her son's and I would like them very much from her, or anyone else who wishes to exchange blocks.

I use only the best of materials for these. When the blocks are sent I wish the senders would let me know what blocks they wish in return.

Would Lazy Daisy like to send me a block or some pieces too? We would like that. I would like the name, age, and town on the Friendship blocks, but how is that done easily? What patterns would be nice for a quilt for a little blue eyed baby boy? I must have one for him too.

Here is a suggestion for quilt makers. If cellophane is placed over the pattern to be transferred with carbon paper the pattern will be kept clean and in good condition.
Mrs. Emma Ball
205 Virginia Ave, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thank you for the hint, Mrs. Ball. I always try to pass anything of this kind on to the quilt-makers.

I should think that the names of the children giving the friendship blocks could be outlined on the airplane very nicely.
A Jacobs Ladder quilt in pink and white would be attractive for your little boy.

Lazy Daisy will be only too happy to send you an autographed quilt patch but she but she simply does not have time to do a lot of sewing now that she has Upsy Daisy to take care of. At least that is her excuse but it is a good one. She spends a great deal of time cutting and autographing patches and that is about all we should expect of such a little person. Don't you think so?

Dear Miss Crumb: I have not been interested in quilt making until recently. Due to my roommate being such an ardent quilt-maker and listening to your Monday radio show, I am anxious to start a quilt too.

My room-mate is going to help me get started; but I need a lot more. I wonder, Miss Crumb, if some of the Quilt Club members would help me...(clipping cut-off).

These Members Belong to the Quilt Club
Mrs. Albert Frank
1587 Lemay Ave

Miss May Manouse
1822 Division St

Mrs. Vickle Parsons
1225 Ferdinand Ave

Mrs. M.E. Wile
811 W Dewey Ave
Youngstown, Ohio

Libie Dunton
5044 Grant Ct

Mrs. Ethel Dyke
4088 Asbury Dr.
Toledo, OH

Mrs. Frank Dykes
491 Wessan Ave

Mrs. H.T. Each
16737 Dolphin St.

Mrs. C.O. Earl
12282 Ward Ave

Isabel L Earle
4483 Bingham Ave
Dearborn, ich.

Mrs. Charles Eaton
Williamsburg, Mich.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.