January 1934 - The Farm Journal Pattern Department

 

The Farm Journal was first published in 1877.  During the 1930s and 1940s most of the pages of the Journal were filled with advertisements designed to appeal to both the farmer and the farmer’s wife.  Each year the January issue featured the new quilt pattern catalogue which could be ordered from the Farm Journal Pattern Department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

 

At the top left hand corner is the applique block Washington Square.

 

 

 Almost the same design.  These applique blocks are possibly late 1800s and have been cut from a worn quilt.  The applique is done by hand, the batting is a thin cotton and the sashing strips were machine stitched to the finished blocks.

The top right hand corner shows the block Fox and Geese.  A picture of how the blocks look when set together is a great help to the potential pattern purchaser.  The geese are running in a very orderly fashion, two by two.

Fox and Geese 8 inch block

 And when you finish the quilt, how about sewing a new dress?  Judging from the sketch, this style is very slimming indeed.

The Midwinter Frock - Smart simplicity suitable for dress-up wear

Slimming the figure, flattering the wearer and smart though conservative – what more could one ask of one dress?

The woman who has a few more pounds than her height calls for will like this frock, because when she wears it no one will notice the extra weight.  The neckline and soft revered front are of a lighter fabric.  This gives a soft effect that is attractive and more becoming than a severe style.  It is a type that can be worn suitably for all except very formal occasions and the wearer will always feel well dressed.  Silk, rayon, or wool, if of firm texture, will develop happily in this design, but thin materials would not be suitable.

She who wants a smart black and white dress, and there is no type more useful, will do well to consider this design.  Of course it can be developed in other colors also, brown with beige; dark green with white, flesh or beige; blue with flesh are all good combinations.

Happy New Year ... 1934

 

Hurray for a New Year and a New Focus for the blog.  It's 2024, and the plan is to turn the calendar back ninety years to 1934.

Why 1934?  Because there is so much material to explore and collect with hundreds of patchwork patterns printed daily in the newspapers and quilt competitions across the country (including Australia.)

So let's get started!  The first block for the new year is ....

Snail's Trail

 

Snail’s Trail is one of the names for this quaint quilt block.  When four pieced blocks are set around a square of colored material, it is known as the Monkey Wrench.  A newer way to use this design is to alternate pieced blocks with white ones so that a diagonal is formed across the quilt.  You’ll find these patterns simple and easy to follow.

If you want this pattern, full size, so that you can proceed at once with your quilt, send your name and address and 10 cents in money or stamps, if you live out of town, and it will be mailed to you immediately from The Spokeman-Review office.  If you live in Spokane, bring your dime to room 701, Review building and get your pattern without further delay.  A new quilt pattern will appear daily, except Sunday.

January 1, 1934            The Spokesman-Review            Spokane, Washington

 

Snail's Trail - 8 inch block

Snail's Trail looks tricky to make, but it was really easy.  It's a Square in a Square, with triangles added on alternate sides with contrasting fabrics.  

 

 

1934 was not an easy time for managing a household or running a business.  Daily life was hard enough, but what do you do when it’s time for a special occasion? This Emily Post advice was printed next to the Snail’s Trail pattern.

 

Celebrating Happy Years by Emily Post

Dear Mrs. Post: I can not even pretend a party because no matter how trite the “depression” excuse, it is an inescapable fact.  But after 50 happy years of marriage my husband and I would like to take some notice of our golden anniversary.  We could not possibly invite less than 75 or 100 relatives and friends.  Please give me an idea of what could be done and at virtually no expense.

Answer:  The lightest refreshments possible to offer would be bread and butter and tea, or if you could manage an orange iced wedding (fruit) cake with punch, that would be ample.  As a matter of fact, you could perhaps tell people that you are hoping they will come to see you, and serve nothing.  I am sure your friends, who want to wish you many more years of happiness, will care very little whether they are given refreshments or not, even though it would be nicer to be able to drink your health.