Many vintage quilts from the 1930s were created from pre-cut quilt kits that were ordered by mail from various companies. Today my daughter gave me this little 1930s catalog by John C. Michael Co., Chicago, Illinois. The 51 page booklet describes pre-cut quilt patches for various popular quilt patterns of that era. Item No. 28 is a Grandmother's Flower Garden. I quote..."It is composed of approximately 3600 hexagon patches which make 72 different blocks of flowered prints and plain color with a row of white around each colored center and dividing patches and border of green......the finished quilt top measures 68x90, straight at the top and bottom and the scalloped edges on the sides..." And, Quilters, get this! The total price is $5.00 post paid. If that seems a little steep, the quilter could buddy up with friends to combine orders for a 10 percent discount on all orders of $10 or over shipped at o
ne time to one address. (
Click on the photos for larger views.)The back of the booklet features a photo of John C. Michael and his seven sons. The fellow had a sense of humor...the back of the booklet mentions his seven sons and "not a quilter" amongst them.
Neither John C. nor his sons were quilters but I'll bet a ton of quilts were produced from their "cut-to-size quilt patches". And it's possible that your vintage 1930s Grandmother's Flower Garden or Trip Around the World or some other 1930s quilt was made from a mail-order kit.
4 comments:
Cool! Where did you find that catalog? I bet it's so interesting to read through. I have a 1936 butterfly applique quilt my great-great grandmother made for my grandparents as a wedding quilt. I'm sure it was a kit. I adore it! The main color is bubble gum pink, my favorite!
My mother just found that same Book in a yard sale. We are here looking at it. She also found the squares and partially sewn panel with a receipt for a trip around the world.. Unbelievablly wonderful!
My mother just found that same Book in a box of old items from Great Grandma who lived Wisconsin. We are here looking at it in Texas. She also found the squares and partially sewn panel with a receipt for a trip around the world.. Unbelievably wonderful!
What a flashback in time. My wife is a lifelong quilter and started to question me about my great grandfather's company. You see my grandfather was one of John C. Michael's seven sons, Howard S Michael. They lived at 4417 Winchester in Chicago. He also had a farm in Glenview, IL and named the street I grew up on, Mickey Lane. I'll pass this along to my aunts and sisters. also non quilters!
Thanks for sharing.
Dick Leehr
Warwick, NY
dadness@aol.com
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