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Detroit News Quilt Show Opens at Armory Friday

May 19, 1940
Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser
Detroit, Michigan, United States
A Quilt Club Corner Column hyping the 1940 Detroit News Quilt Show.
Detroit News Quilt Show Opens At Armory Friday
Come and See Three Miles of Quilts

It would take a clothesline more than three miles long or reaching from the City Hall to the Naval Armory- to hang all the quilts, rugs, and aprons entered in The Detroit News Six Annual Quilt Show. Come and see the big display- at the United States Naval Armory Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you have quilts, rugs, aprons, to enter in the $500 prize competition, remember the deadline for entries is 5 p. m. Wednesday.

May 22 Last Day for Entry
By Edith B. Crumb

Next Friday for the sixth time the doors of the United States Naval Armory, East Jefferson avenue at Belle Isle Bridge, will swing open to greet you as guests of The Detroit News at the annual quilt show- and this time it will be the biggest show ever staged. Door will open at 2 p. m.

Entries have never poured in as thick and fast as this year and the colors, materials, and workmanship of the exhibits far surpass those of former shows.

To get this enormous show in order, the work of hanging will start at midnight Thursday and the racks of quilts, spreads, rugs and aprons, will be arranged and ready for the judging which will be completed before 2 p. m. Friday.

Quilt Corner
The show will continue through Sunday night. Doors will open at 10 a. m. on Saturday and Sunday and the closing time for all three nights is 10 p. m.

There will be a Quilt Club Corner as usual where old friends will be greeted and you will have the opportunity to become acquainted with new quilters.

Many come and stay all day long and chat, sew, exchange, patches and have a good time. Tables and chairs, shears, paper, pencils, and everything you need to help you in quilt making will be provided.

Quilts are coming from many states and visitors are coming from all over Michigan. A whole busload of quilts is expected to arrive from Chicago.

All Types
Those of you who prefer new quilts will be amazed at the gorgeous ones displayed this year. And the old ones, which never fall to hold charm for many, will be there in large quantities. Many have such interesting histories that you will find it a treat to study them carefully.

In the section of quilts for children's beds, you will find great originality. That these are future heirlooms there can be no doubt.

Many Women Are Putting their first quilts in this year. Several are entering 15 or 16 some of which have been entered in other Detroit News Shows. We always greet these again cordially. If you have any quilts you have entered before and hesitated to enter them again, please bring them right along.

Time Limit
Due to the fact that we have so many requests for an extension of time, we are giving you until 5 p.m. Wednesday to enter your quilts. After that, nothing will be accepted.

This is important, so please remember it; don't bring entries to the Naval Armory. Nothing can be accepted there.

The place for all entries is 827 West Lafayette Boulevard, just half a block west of the main office of The Detroit News.
I am looking forward with pleasure to seeing every one of you all of the three days of the show. Those who do not feel physically able to walk around the show will be taken around in wheel chairs.

​Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.

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