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Sears Quilt Contest 06: Commemorative Quilts in Black and White

Commemorative Quilts in Black and White
Criticism by Ida Stow and others who took the extra time to make Century of Progress quilts may have prompted the contest organizers to make amends.  In 1934, Sears brought together a group of these quilts for a special showing at the Sears Pavilion.  The quilts were photographed in black and white by Sears staff photographers.  Although the names of the quilters were not recorded, we are lucky to have the documentation.  Two quilts have been found including one by Ida Stow.

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Teepees to Temples
Maker unknown
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
1933
Private Collection

Appliqué pictorial medallion quilt depicting Chicago's history from 1833 to 1933--from Teepees to Temples.

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Century of Progress
Maker unknown
1933
Private Collection

Commemorative Quilt (Sears Archives Photo)

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A Century of Progress
Ida Mae Stow
Park Ridge, Illinois
1933
Collection of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum acc.#1997.007.0947

Commemorative Quilt featuring the spinning globe logo of the Century of Progress Exposition.

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World's Fair Building 1933
Helen E. Billick
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
1933
Private Collection

To encourage quiltmakers to submit original designs, the contest organizers at Sears Roebuck & Co. offered a bonus prize of $250. Several people took the challenge, but the $250 was not awarded.

This quiltmaker's husband designed her quilt in the Century of Progress theme in the hopes that his wife would win the bonus prize. Notice the official entry tag is still attached to right front corner. The quiltmaker's Honorable Mention ribbon from the Chicago Region remains with the quilt.

Merikay Waldvogel
2011
All rights reserved

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