August 16, 1934

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Quilt Club Corner column including letters from Quilt Club Corner members, a coupon for Quilt Club membership, and an advertisement for Mrs. Roosevelt's Choice quilt pattern leaflet.

Quilt is 75 Year Old Treasure
This Double Irish Chain has been made of lovely old-time calicos, and in spite of the fact that it is 75 years old it is in excellent condition.
'Wild Goose Chase' Border Is on This Quaint Quilt

By Edith B. Crumb.

Sometimes we little realize what treasures we may have tucked way in some trunk or box, but Mrs. Gertrude McCabe, who lives at Page House, 48 E. Vernor Highway, Detroit, know she had an exceptionally old quilt top and thought it would be of interest to the Quilt Club Corner readers.

Ever since she can remember, it has been in her family: and she says that her great-grandmother started it and her grandmother finished it, the quilt being between 65 and 70 years old now.

The pattern of the quilt is the Double Irish Chain, one that never fails to bring praise from quilt-makers, young and old. It is clear-cut, effective, and offers opportunity for the use of many small scraps. Some make this pattern with the same materials throughout, while others find that variety enhances its charm and just literally empty the scrap basket into it, with the result that it is truly quaint and very unusual.

This must have been the method by which this quilt was fashioned, for if you could see the truly lovely old prints in copper browns and brighter tints you would say that you could only wish for reproductions of these materials today so that you could have a quilt as nearly like it as possible.

The border is from a pattern called "The Wild Goose Chase," and sometimes quilts were made entirely from this pattern, and it consisted of nothing more than lengthwise stripe of this, alternating with plain or printed strips.

This quilt has the border down the sides and across the bottom: and that was all that was needed at the time it was made, for the tops of the quilts then tucked under the pillows and starched, fluted and brightly embroidered pillow shams were used over them.

Perhaps Miss McCabe will be kind enough to enter this quilt in the Contest so that all may look at it and see the lovely old prints that were available 75 years ago.

And, by the way, have you sent in your application for membership in the Quilt Club Corner? If you have not done so, why don't you do it right away? Thousands of cards are being addressed and will be ready Sept. 1 to be sent those who have become members. This is being done in order that the members may tell us how many quilts, tops, etc., they wish to enter, and it is so much easier for them than if they had not joined.

However, it is not necessary to belong to the Club in order to enter a quilt. As long as you have a quilt which comes within the classifications of the contest that is all that is necessary.
And do look up those old samplers. You surely must have one or two somewhere. Perhaps a few years ago you thought they were such terribly homely things that you discarded them. Look them up, apologize to them and bring them to the Contest in all their glory.

Letters to Mrs. King.
I have been busy moving, so have not written to the Corner for some time.

I have always wanted a feathered quilting design, but had never seen the one I wanted until you printed your Feathered Circle Quilting Design.

I find the Nosegay very fascinating, although I find it hard to get the henna as listed, so must do the next best thing. Have sent the first three finished home to my mohter. I have written her about the quilt so much that she said she could hardly wait until I could show it to her. Mother has shown the three blocks to many of her friends and they think the Nosegay is to be a beautiful quilt. They even asked me to complete it for the fair up there, but I'll be lucky if I have it finished for the Quilt Show in October.

Mrs. King, whose name I am adding to your Quilt Club, has received so many letters from ladies of the club, and today I have written to 12 of the ladies thanking them for their kindness in writing her and making her so happy. Each time she writes me she sends an address or two of friends who have written her, and I intend to thank each one. But I want to thank all of them now in case she misses sending some names.

I'm getting my own quilt frames in a few days and expect to do a lot of piecing and quilting this winter. Four tops are ready now, but my Nosegay comes first. It seems as if each block gets harder. Is it true there are 15 different blocks in the border?
Mrs. Otha Kiggans,
(New address), 713 St. John St.,
Wyandotte, Mich.

Yes, there are 15 different blocks in the border but each block contains only one very easy flower, so it should not worry you.

That henna is hard to find, I know, but you can arrange your colors so that you will never miss it if you are unable to find it.

I am glad to hear about the letters which Mrs. King received. If it has made her happy, I know that every one who has written to her will be happy also. You are very kind to take the trouble to thank those who are writing.

An Old News Top.
I have been enjoying the Quilt Corner for a long time.

I would like to tell you about the quilt that I pieced from a pattern that was in the Sunday News on June 17th, 1923. I made it of pink and white check with unbleached cotton. The top is now 11 years old and is going to be quilted very soon.

This past winter I made a Dresden Plate on white, with all the corner leaves and a small circle in the center of the plate, and the border of blue and white flowered percale, which makes the whol quilt very attractive.
Mrs. Mary C. Baldinger.

That will be an interesting quilt I do not know what pattern you refer to for that was in the paper long before the Quilt Club Corner was started and I am anxious to see what it is like.

Your Dresden Plate must be unusually attractive and I hope that you are planning on entering it in the Contest.

Making Friendship Quilt.
Well here I am again! I've been busy with garden, chicks, etc., and now that I'm caught up I thought I would write. First I want to ask a favor.

I am making a Joseph's Coat pattern quilt and would like to trade pieces, uncut, as I'm making a large and a small quilt. I am also making an old time Friendship quilt and would like to get pieces for it, also uncut. This quilt I am going to make of plain and print - for instance, plain pink figured with the name printed on the center oblong block. My block will be 12 inches square. I will sew it myself and please print name and address and year on paper or strip. I will do the rest myself.
Mrs. Joseph Pomorski.
R. 4, Howell, Mich.

It seems good to have your name back in the Corner again Mrs. Pomorski. It is a long time since you wrote last; and now I hope that your letter will bring you many pieces for your Joseph's Coat and Friendship quilts.

You will have to keep busy now in order to finish all you wish for the contest. Won't you?

No matter how much you have to do, please try to find a few minutes now and then to dash off a few times to the Corner.

Likes All Patterns.
I just feel that I should write to thank you for all of the nice quilt patterns that I have received.

My sister has a quilt made from the Double Monkey Wrench pattern and likes it very much. I have tried to copy but could not get the blocks just the right size so will be very glad to get the pattern. This quilt was made by her husband's grandmother who lives in Portland, Ore. Would this quilt be eligible for the contest?
Mrs. Charles Miller.
6174 Belvidere avenue, Detroit.

If that quilt is over 50 years old it would certainly be eligible for the Contest, and I do hope that you will send for it.

So many have been delighted to see the Double Monkey Wrench quilt pattern for they said that they had old quilts from that same design and wanted to make new ones and did not know how to go about it, so it was just like seeing an old friend.

Beauty in the Home Editor:—
Please enter my name as a member of The Detroit News Quilt Club.

Name……………
Address………………
City…………… State…………

Here's Favorite Quilt of President's Wife

Old-fashioned quilts are still the best, and Mrs. Roosevelet has selected an old fashioned one as her favorite - the Fox and Geese pattern. The Quilt Club Editor gives directions for making this interesting pieced quilt on a leaflet which she calls "Mrs. Roosevelt's Choice."

There is still time for you to make one of these quilts before The Detroit News Quilt Show in October if you send for the leaflet right away.

A self-addressed stamped envelope sent to the Quilt club Editor will bring you this leaflet, or you may call for it at The Detroit News Public Service Bureau in the Majestic Building or the General Motors Building.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.