1934 Quilt Blocks Cherry Tree and Truth

 Lydia Le Baron Walker wrote a syndicated newspaper column on general household hints with occasional quilt patterns.  Her work was often beautifully illustrated by her daughter, artist and teacher Mary Evangeline Walker.

 Although the fate of pioneering women is romanticized in the following piece, it does have some interesting insights into quilt making in the 1930s. The two patchwork blocks mentioned have a George Washington theme, Martha Washington appears in an earlier post.

Dayton (Ohio) Daily News   February 4, 1934

 

"The word quilt has a warm and comfortable sound in this winter of unusual bitter cold.  It must have been like this in the winter of 1620, when early in December the Puritans landed in Plymouth.  The severity of that winter is of historic recording.  The memory of suffering from insufficient coverings for their beds was the urge which prompted the pioneer women of early settler days to make use of scraps of cloth, scarcely usable for any other purpose, to make quilts.  Not only did they actually make new cloth from the combination of these bits of textile, but they wrested beauty in designs and color harmonies, which have made these old quilts famous.  Today we have this same privilege, not always because of necessity but because handsome patchwork quilts are an outstanding vogue.

"Quilts can be fashioned from discarded textiles or from new cloth.  The former is the historic method and one worthy of following, especially in this era when economy has become a new-old rather smart fashion.  It is a fortunate circumstance which makes it possible to follow a vogue and at the same time promote thrift with no relinquishment of beauty and quality.  Moreover, by so doing with quilts, we add to comfort of our household furnishings.  One of the quaint old terms for quilts was comfortable, the name being representative of its agreeable quality.  To rest under the warmth of a quilt is comfortable indeed.

 

Quilt block Cherry Tree

 

"Among the modern quilts there are some worthy of mention, for they have historic significance and the necessary excellence of design to be peers of the handsome old ones.  The Tree and Truth, and the Cherry Tree are two patterns (10 cents each).  Both of these are linked with the name and character of George Washington.

 

Quilt block Tree and Truth

"In the Tree and Truth design the name is self explanatory of the famous episode of Washington’s boyhood.  The units combined are the sturdy little tree and the hatchet with which he cut it down, as instanced in the homely little incident, in itself something which could happen in the lives of many a youngster.  It is the imprint of truth which the little lad, George, left on the family, and the nation afterwards, that lends character to the tale and also the quilt made of Tree and Truth patchwork.  While such a coverlet is just the thing for a boy’s or man’s bed, it is equally good in an old-fashioned bedroom, or on any old replica of an antique bedstead.

"Color schemes are suggested, and many uses for the designs are given on pattern sheets.  Each one is 10 cents with self-addressed and stamped (3-cent) envelope.  Requests should be sent to Lydia Le Baron Walker care of this paper."

We Have Both Kinds - Pieced and Applique Quilts

 The following helpful advice was published in September 1934.

 

Pieced and Applique Patchwork Quilts 

and Patterns for Both Types

 

A handsome new pieced patchwork quilt in pavement pattern.

 

In prospect of cold wintry weather, the homemaker begins preparations for comfort.  To keep warm whether in bed or out is essential, so downy covers are important as well as sufficient fuel.  It is when the temperature of the house is lowered at night and windows are open for proper circulation of fresh air that blankets and quilt are in demand.  To meet this I am suggesting homemade quilts as both delightfully ornamental and satisfactorily comfortable.  Indeed, one of the old-time names for these wadded and quilted patchwork covers was a “comfortable.”  What has an especial appeal about these quilts to homemakers in this day of reduced incomes is that they can be as cheap as they are handsome and comfortable.

 

Pieced Patchwork.

The entire surface of a quilt need cost not a farthing.  It can be pieced from bits of discarded frocks and other textiles into a cover of artistic beauty.  There must be a design worthy of the work.  Also there must be a pleasing arrangement of colors to harmonize with the requirements of the pattern and to set each other off advantageously.  If good-size pieces of material can be had, a large design is recommended.  If pieces are rather small, a finer-pieced pattern should be selected.

 

New Cloth From Old.

In pieced patchwork an entirely new section of cloth is formed, not by loom weaving, but by deft sewing of parts of many other textiles together.  If one has left-overs and discarded goods and no new material has to be bought, it is easy to see that the top of the quilt known as the surface requires no outlay.  Old quilts of this sort and some modern ones give evidence that these surfaces can be of genuine beauty.

 

Applique Patchwork.

There is also the applique patchwork quilt which has a foundation surface on which patches of material are sewed according to a pattern.  If one has the material for these patches, the one needed expense is the foundation.  Beware of having this coarse and of poor quality as it immediately proclaims it as a cheap quilt, although the design may be developed in high-grade textiles.  I have seen an intricate design appliqued to a flimsy quality of unbleached cotton cloth and the entire quilt was really worthless.  Put good pieces on a good foundation.  Don’t waste energy on material lacking in durability.

 

Pattern Important.

Designs are of utmost importance since they supply the decoration and the artistic appeal.  Those who would make a patchwork quilt either of pieced surface or of applique patchwork the following pattern are available for self-addressed, stamped (3-cent) envelope and the price stated.  Direct requests to Lydia Le Baron Walker care of this paper.  Those in pieced work can be done in applique if preferred.

 

Patterns and Prices.

Full size units for each pattern and full directions, and also a picture of the completed motif come on each pattern sheet.

Bed of Roses, 10 cents.

Tree and Truth, 10 cents.

Washington Pavement, 10 cents.

Hearts United, 10 cents.

Cherry Tree, 10 cents.

Chinese Canton pattern, two designs, each 10 cents or both for 15 cents. 

 

from the St. Joseph Gazette; St. Joseph, Missouri    24 September, 1934