June 25, 1936

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

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

A Corner Visitor From Alaska
Mrs. M. J. Wyly, who lives in Kodiak, Alaska, has sent quilts to the last two Detroit News quilt shows and, having corresponded with members of the Quilt Club Corner, felt well enough acquainted to call on us this week.
Alaska Quilt Club Member Brings Greetings in Detroit

By Edith B. Crumb

Do you remember that the quilt from Ouzinkie Alaska, won the prize for being from the longest distance at The Detroit News Quilt show of the 1934? It was sent by Mrs. M.D. Wyly and last year (for our 1935 show) Mrs. Wyly also sent a quilt. Unfortunately, it did not arrive in time to be entered.

This summer Mrs. Wyly is visiting her sister, Mrs. Lulu B Toms, 7433 Kercheval avenue, Detroit and just to show how neighborhood she is she called on the Quilt Club Corner editor, I knew that all of you would want to meet Mrs. Wyly too, so here is her picture and I hope that you will drop her a card or note and acknowledge the introduction.

Received Many Letters
She has had many letters from Quilt Club Corner members - from as far away as Florida, Pennsylvania, Vermont and, of course, many from Michigan.

While Mrs. Wyly's post office address is Kodiak, Alaska, she lives on Woody Island, which is one and a half miles long and is two miles from the town of Kodiak.

In Baptist Mission
She teaches in a terrritorial school, - the most northern Baptist Mission on American soil. It is the only school of its kind in Alaska and Mrs. Wyly teaches the first, second and third grades.

The older girls in the school learn to crochet and embroider and she says that they make beautiful things.

Some of the schools are equipped to teach boat building to the boys an inasmuch as fishing is one of the large industries in that vicinity that is a trade which is appreciated.

Population of 609
Woody has a population of about 600, only 11 of which are Americans, including two children; and Mrs. Wyly will soon be back among her Alaskan friends. She will visit a short time in Idaho and then go to Seattle and take the boat for Kodiak (the home of the brown bear) Sometimes it takes her 11 days to go from Kodiak to Seattle and sometimes only eight, depending upon the amount of cargo which has to be loaded and unloaded.

Mrs. Wyly says that the women in Woody are becoming interested in quilt making and we hope that when she gets back she will write to us and report the progress of those who are making quilts.

It was a pleasure to have her call. It certainly would have been a disappointment if she had not felt friendly enough to come in and get acquainted.

She Sends a Smile
Dear Miss Crumb: I wish to be a member of your Quilt Club and would like to exchange blocks 12 inch square with some of the members. Or I will piece the size and pattern anyone wishes for exchange.

A pen pal at Henry, Illinois sent me the membership blank. I am sending a smile to all of the Quilt Club members from Sunshine State.
Mrs. Adda Ostrander
Ordway, South Dakota

Now there is some real news for your quilters. You always like to far away members so here is your chance to have a correspondence in South Dakota.

And you may enjoy having a quilt patch from the Sunshine State in exchange for one from Michigan.

She Crochets Gloves
Dear Miss Crumb: I am sorry I took so long in thanking you for your kindness in printing my letter in your Sunday paper. I received six answers to my request. I sent to Toronto, Ontario, for a pattern and I think it is the right one. I have been busy crocheting gloves of several different colors to match my daughter's and my summer wardrobe. I received several requests for a copy of my pattern. I have two copies and directions for the table cloth which I would be glad to share.
Mrs. J. Bedson,
135 W. Buena Vista Ave.

If the request I put in the paper for you brought the results you wished I am happy. We like to keep in touch with the readers and hope that you won't wait so long before writing to us again.

These Members Belong to Quilt Club Corner
Mrs. Ferd Foss
Route No. 1
New Haven, Mich.

Mrs. R.T. Ream
1444 Washington Hts.
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Mrs. Eatha Stone
421 Clinton Ave
Adrian, Mich

Mrs. Jennie Underwood
47 Upper Welden St
St Albans Vt.

Mrs. S. B. Hovey,
6804 Colman Ave.,
Dearborn, Mich.

Elizabeth I. Howard,
2477 W. Philadelphia Ave.

Mrs. Fred Howard,
5034 Roosevelt Ave.

Mrs. H. C. Howard,
R. F. D. No. 1,
Ypsilanti, Mich.

Julia Howell,
8119 Hilldale Ave.

Mrs. A. E. Howenstein,
19374 Carman Ave.,
Mrs. W. E. Hubbard,
15067 Elizabeth Ave.,
Roseville, Mich.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.