The John C. Michael Co., Chicago, Illinois, and his "Mickey" Cut-To-Size Quilt Patches --- or quilts from the 1930s

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 one 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.