December 14, 1934

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Quilt Club Corner column including letters from Quilt Club members and a coupon for Quilt Club membership.

Hands Crippled With Rhueumatism Fashioned This New Mexico Quilt
This Quilt Was Received Month Late for Big Show
There are 114 motifs on this quilt, some embroidered and some appliqued and each having a bearing upon the history, progress and every day life of New Mexico. All are in natural colors. Mrs. Stanton's son, Harold, drew some of the designs and the rest were planned and drawn by her, every stitch being made by hand.

By Edith B. Crumb.

Shortly after returning from my vacation I found a large package on my desk and upon opening it found that it contained a quilt to be exhibited in the show, but as this quilt arrived a month late, I decided to have a picture taken of it and write a little story of its design. I am sorry that it was not here in time to include in the show for I know that every one would have enjoyed seeing it.

This quilt was made by Mrs. A. E. Stanton of Deming, New Mexico, and was planned and made as a souvenir of the state of New Mexico. And when I tell you that Mrs. Stanton's hands are crippled with rheumatism and that they have not been completely opened or closed in more than seven years, you will marvel at her cleverness and patience.

Son Drew Pictures.
Some of the pictures were drawn by Harold Stanton, her son, and the rest designed by her.

The background of the quilt is white and in all there are 114 different designs.

In the upper left-hand corner is a picture of the pre-historic cliff dwellings, then near the center are some little bears and in the upper right are the mountains with elk, an old prospector, deer and mines - one an old-time one and the other showing the modern electrical method.

Every motif is numbered and Mrs. Stanton has divided these designs into sections, the first being the Indian's Progress, showing the dwellings, savage waiting for prey, hunting buffalo, Indian and whites at war, Navajo teepee, Indian women firing pottery and weaving rugs.

Section Of Progress.
(clipping cut-off)...coach (fired on by Indians), arrival of the first train, some pioneers, modern buses and airplane routes.

The section showing the places of interest in New Mexico includes views of Carlsbad Caverns, the White Stands, Elephant Butte Dam, copper mines at Santa Rita, Split Rock Canyon (home of wild horses), first unit of laboratory of anthropology in Santa Fe, Veterans' Hospital, Historic Old Ford Bayard and many other points.

Under Resources are mines, pack mule, electric car entering mine, old way of dairying (new way also), sheep shearing time, saw-mill and lumbering, goat ranch, plowing, both old and modern, cows, prize cattle, branding time, wheat harvests, bees and honey, oil wells, haying time, modern farm or ranch home with car and children, water melons, canteloupes, pinto beans and vegetables of all sorts.

Wild Life Section.Then there is the section devoted to wild life, showing deer, bears, lynx, wild turkeys, bob cats, ducks, geese, etc.

It is not possible to list all of the 114 different motifs, but I know that you will have an interesting time studying this quilt and brushing up on your geography. Or perhaps you have visited New Mexico and will recognize many of these points.

Mrs. Stanton has included everything possible on the quilt and she says that the rest is sunshine.

I am sure that some of you will want to write to Mrs. Stanton and I know that she will be delighted to hear from you. Isn't it too bad that her quilt was not here in time for the exhibit?

On Wednesday afternoon the Emily Middlestead Circle of the Women's Association of the Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church held a quilt exhibit.

Church Quilt Show.
Mrs. Middlestead, chairman of the exhibit, was responsible for the collecting of the quilts and her first impression was that little enthusiasm was being shown toward the show, but during the last day or two she must have changed her mind for more enthusiasm than she could possibly anticipate resulted in the bringing in of over 100 quilts and there were not spaces enough to hang all of them.

To me, this was a fortunate happening, for it meant that a special talk was given by Mrs. Middlestead and those quilts which were not hung were displayed separatetly and their histories explained.

There were many old quilts (one being sent from New York) and that charming old turkey red and bright green were prominent in the old floral and conventional patterns. The Princess Feather, Wild Goose Chase, Double Irish Chain and all of those tried and true friends of the quilt-makers' world were present and inthevery good company of modern quilts put together carefully and quilted meticulously.

Every quilt was a beauty in itself and it seemed to me that such a fine big display should be held two days instead of just one afternoon.

Liked Nosegay Quilts.
Dear Miss Crumb: Our contest was surely a success. There were so many beautiful quilts. I wish to congratulate all the winners from near and far.

I was very pleased to meet Gran. I had hoped to go back to her but just couldn't get away soon enough. I thought those crib quilts were the sweetest little things. Were they original patterns? I forgot my pencil and note book so I didn't get the name and address.

I was surprised to see so many Nosegays finished. The winners were gorgeous.
Ellen Leonard.
5854 Hamilton City.

It is nice to receive that cheery little letter from you, Ellen Leonard, and I am happy to know that you had such an enjoyable time at the quilt show. Gran was hard to find for she was all over the hall, chatting here and there and never seemed to be in one place more than a few minutes at a time.

Yes, those little crib quilts were from original designs and they werer made by Mrs. E. H. Wendelborn, of Rochester, Michigan.

I don't see how any one could help but think those Nosegays were beautiful. After seeing them so many decided to make them that we have had the entire set reprinted.

Do write us again, Ellen Leonard, in order that this Quilt Club Corner may continue in the same old way.

Wants Nosegay Pattern.
I am send-...(clipping cut-off)
(clipping cut-off)...I was wondering if you could tell me where I could obtain the pattern "Nosegay." It was such a pretty quilt.

Mother and I are now making the "Flower Garden;" also have three other quilts in the making.
Margaret Collins.
2613 Pingree, Apt. 301, Detroit, Mich.

If you will send 6c in stamps with your request for the Nosegay quilt patterns, they will be sent right out to you.

Thank you for sending your name for the Quilt Club Corner membership list. I am glad to know that you attended the quilt show and found it so enjoyable.

Perhaps you and your mother will have several quilts to exhibit if there is another quilt show.

Has Friends in Corner.
Dear Miss Crumb: I hope you will keep the Quilt Corner. I surely enjoy it and I made many friends through it. I was at the show on Friday and Sunday. I met several ladies there that I had exchanged pieces with before. I surely got a lot of pretty ones there and I have sent several packages to ladies. I think it's fun writing to the different ladies. I have written several times to some. I would certainly be glad to meet more of the ladies I write to. Best wishes.
Mrs. Amie Zemlicka.
3336 Roosevelt avenue, City.

The Corner will keep running right along merrily as long as there are letters written to it and if you and the rest of those interested in it will take a little time occasionally to write in a few lines, there will be no doubt as to its future. Thank you for writing and don't neglect us very long.

To make good uncooked icing, thorough beating is necessary. Too much sugar and too little beating makes a brittle, hard icing.

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

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Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.