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.