| Americans relied on their local newspapers | | | | submitted their own quilt designs for |
| for more than information during the United | | | | consideration. The end result from Harris' |
| States' Great Depression. | | | | column was a quilt of beautifully |
| | | | appliqu?flowers with vines that entwined. |
| Newspapers during that time also provided a | | | | Another of the popular 1930 newspaper quilt |
| service to quilters. Many newspapers | | | | patterns included in Harris' weekly column |
| published quilt patterns for their readers | | | | was the "Memory Bouquet." The quilt featured |
| during the Great Depression. | | | | 9x12 inch blocks appliqu?with various |
| | | | flowers. Imagine the cheery look of the |
| 1930 newspaper quilt patterns were very | | | | finished product with its hollyhock, tulips, |
| common in rural U.S. states. The Kansas City | | | | violets, carnations, zinnias, jonquils and |
| Star actually began printing patterns for | | | | more! |
| quilters in 1926. The newspaper carried on | | | | |
| the tradition until 1961. The quilt patterns | | | | The weekly 1930 newspaper quilt patterns gave |
| were published weekly at first, then as | | | | quilters some much needed enjoyment and |
| interest seemed to dwindle, the patterns were | | | | thrifty entertainment. In addition to |
| printed monthly before being pulled from the | | | | providing reasonably priced quilt patterns |
| publication all together. In all, just over | | | | during The Great Depression era in the United |
| 1000 quilt patterns were published by the | | | | States, the quilts also focused on an |
| Kansas City newspaper. Collectors have found | | | | important part of life in the 1930's: the |
| copies of all of them and now offer a | | | | children. Many patterns for children featured |
| compilation for sale. | | | | nursery rhymes. Some quilts featured one |
| | | | single nursery rhyme while others compiled |
| The Kansas City newspaper was not the only | | | | several children's favorites onto one quilt |
| one to publish newspaper quilt patterns. Many | | | | top. The patterns were designed so that they |
| other rural papers did the same. | | | | could be appliqu?or embroidered. Redwork was |
| | | | popular on quilts at the time! |
| The 1930 newspaper quilt patterns helped | | | | |
| preserve part of the country's heritage. Even | | | | The 1930 newspaper quilt patterns were a |
| though times were tougher than ever | | | | direct reflection of life during the Great |
| economically, the 1930 newspaper quilt | | | | Depression. Quilters saved money by using the |
| patterns focused on the things that were | | | | patterns. They continued providing necessary |
| truly important to quilters of that day and | | | | warmth for their families and offered the |
| served as an emotional boost as well. | | | | quilts they made from the 1930 newspaper |
| | | | patterns as gifts for many occasions. |
| One popular 1930 newspaper quilt pattern was | | | | |
| "The Magic Vine." The design was presented | | | | If you would like to create your own quilt |
| as a series in a newspaper column written by | | | | from 1930 newspaper quilt patterns, they are |
| Florence LaGanke Harris. In addition to the | | | | available -- usually as copied images or in |
| weekly quilt pattern, Harris wrote a | | | | books. There are several collections |
| fictional story about a quilting group. | | | | available that could be appliqu? embroidered |
| Readers followed the antics of the group and | | | | or hand painted. To find your own collection |
| its fictional leader, Nancy Page. As readers | | | | of 1930 newspaper quilt patterns, check your |
| followed the goings-on of the imaginary | | | | favorite hobby or book store for a book or |
| quilting group, they also stitched along with | | | | dvd of all the available patterns. The |
| each week's pattern. Readers were so engaged | | | | Internet is another great source of finding |
| by the weekly column and quilting that they | | | | 1930 newspaper quilt patterns. |