January 20, 1942

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Needles for Defense column announcing a fabric sale.

Needles for Defense

Once in a while something happens which seems almost too good to be true. Last week a representative of the Aulsbrook Furniture Company 5400 Orleans Street called the Needles for Defense office and asked if we could use samples of upholstery materials for the lap robes which we were making. Of course we told him we would be only too happy to receive them.

In a few days the truck drew up at the front door of The Detroit News and deposited six huge bundles of material. Instead of the small scraps which we were expecting there were large pieces of materials approximately 24 inches square.

There were damasks, brocades, friezes, tapestries, and all the lovely things which are used for furniture over coverings. We immediately decided that there were not suitable for the hospital lab robes and thought that if we could get many pairs of socks.

Right now there is a need for socks for the boys at Fort Wayne so a letter was written to the Aulsbrook Company to get their permission to sell the material, but before it was mailed along came the truck for the second time and larger and even more beautiful pieces of material were deposited in the Needles for Defense office.

The sale will start tomorrow and you will be able to pick up pieces of brocade from which you might make a vanity case for as little as 5 cents or you may get a piece of tapestry which will cover the slip seat for a chair for 25 cents, 35 cents or 50 cents, depending upon the type of material.

The prices are in no way worthy of the material.

Of some materials there will be enough to cover four chair seats. There are materials for radio benches vanity benches, table covers, knitting bags, pillows, large or small, and linger cases.

The sale will take place in the old Quilt Club office at 827 W Lafeyette boulevard, just west of the main building of the Detroit News.

The office will be open on our regular needle for defense days this Week-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bring a paper pattern of the chair seats or benches which you wish to cover and be sure to allow enough for generous turnings so that you will have enough material.

Fabric Sale
Needles for Defense will hold a fabric sale to earn money to buy wool for socks to be knit for soiliders at For Wayne.

It will be held at 827 West Lafeyette boulevard near Third Avenue. Satins, brocades, damasks, velvets, etc. will be priced as low as 5 cents for pieces small enough to make a small vanity case and as high as $2 for enough material to cover four slip seats of chairs.

The hours are Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please return all finished articles to the sales office instead of the News building.​

​Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.