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