I've been to sales with an abundance of knitting and crocheting books, and sales where someone clearly was an avid seamstress, with lots of fabric and patterns. Until that fabulous auction a week ago Saturday, I'd never seen what a collection of vintage quilting supplies would look like. And now that I have: well, I'm in awe. It's all just beautiful: the patterns, the fabric, the kits, the quilt blocks. We'll start with patterns. These are printed patterns from McCall's, from the mid 1930s, when the company was still called McCall. I didn't know that quilting patterns ever were available like this.
There were a few other craft patterns as well, my favorite being the one on the right for felt crafts.
This pattern is dated 1938. From the envelope: "Fascinating felt craft! You can make no end of lovely gifts in bright colored felts. Very new and exciting and felt is so easy to handle . . ." The little house shown here is a needle case; the heart is a pincushion.
A sampling of pattern books from a variety of companies. Lockport (between Rochester and Buffalo, a bit closer to Buffalo) was a company that made cotton batting. The Grandma Dexter book (10 cents) had a variety of printed pattern templates inside, with color illustrations to show how they could be used.
Infinite combinations and colors.
Oh, those fabrics!
The book in the earlier photo with the red and white cover is titled simply "Quilt Patterns," and it's dated 1928. It sold patterns for pieced blocks for 15 cents each, appliqued blocks for 35 cents each. (You could also order a quilt to be made from one of the patterns, for $25 to $45. If only that offer were still available!)
There are pages and pages of quilt designs, 24 patterns to a page.
It seems pretty much like an encyclopedia of quilt patterns.
I'll leave you with this image from the Grandma Dexter book, of an outfit made from a crazy quilt. Much as I love quilts, I think they're best as bedcovers rather than part of one's wardrobe.
Some of you have asked if any of these auction finds are going on Etsy. The short answer is yes, but I've pretty much decided that I'm going to wait until fall to sell anything online. When that store reopens, you'll be the first to know!
I think that you have found some real treasures here. Those pattern books are wonderful . I had not seen any from the 20's or 30's before.... I just love those illustrations !
Posted by: Lisa W. | June 28, 2011 at 12:08 AM
What a fabulous collection. The Ladies Art 1928 catalog looks to be in mint condition (it's extremely difficult to find an original of this booklet). Lockport Batting Co. published lots of fabulous Anne Orr patterns, and I've always loved those illustrations from Grandma Dexter with the tiny calico print blocks. The McCall patterns are so pretty -- love the graphics and the colors -- and they look like new!
Posted by: Martha | June 28, 2011 at 10:30 AM
That Grandma Dexter was a wild woman! I love the colors! Thanks for sharing those great old booklets.
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | June 28, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Ooh, oh, oh B - these are just Gorgeous! Even Grandma Dexter! What a haul - I love looking through the old patterns "pre rotary cutter" and trying to figure out to update given the tools and techniques we have today...thanks for sharing J
Posted by: Julie | June 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM
You always continue to amaze me with what you find. As a quilter, that would be the mother load for me. The felt pattern is also adorable! Thanks for sharing these!
Posted by: Jenny G. | June 28, 2011 at 12:36 PM
I do hope I can make it through this whole auction posting. I am taken with that felt pattern. I never knew they did patterns for quilts like that either. Learning so much...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | June 28, 2011 at 01:35 PM
That crazy quilt outfit is CRAZY...I could see someone where one these days, but not in the conservative past. It is a huge encyclopedia of info that you found on quilting at that auction...so much info! Like you am partial to the felt crafts. What an auction!
Posted by: laurie mapgie ethel | June 28, 2011 at 07:58 PM
That would be wear NOT where.
Posted by: laurie mapgie ethel | June 28, 2011 at 07:59 PM
I've never seen quilt patterns or books like that either- I guess I thought quilting was a completely do it yourself project. The pattern for felt creation is just darling- what a lucky fun find!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | June 29, 2011 at 12:08 AM
I'm working with some wool felt right now, so this is a timely post.
I think the 30's is one of my favorite times for crafted things. Their seemed such a charm to things, which is something to think about, given the economy of the time.
Posted by: Lena | June 29, 2011 at 06:47 PM
My Mom would love those vintage quilt patterns. She is almost 70 and still loves to quilt. Unfortunately, her arthritis has been really bad lately so she hasn't done much quilting.
Posted by: Joy | July 01, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Oh my gosh. I wonder if you could copy those patterns and sell them at your etsy shop?
Posted by: nanette | July 18, 2011 at 11:20 AM