bluemeadowdesigns

Fun Day Friday

I won't even START to tell you about the snow storm that blasted over our town last night! The kids of course are in heaven, bundled up to their noses, and playing in the white, wet, snow. Winter has officially hit Winkler. So I am snuggling down under a pile of quilts, with my computer, and some quilting books.

I was recently looking through a book that I bought at the quilt show in Regina this past fall. And these are two quilts that I absolutely LOVE! The book is "Wisconsin Quilts' by Ellen Kort, and it showcases a lot of historical quilts from the state. If you didn't already know that I am a history buff, it will soon become evident.

These are two quilts in the book that caught my attention right away. The owner of both of the following baby quilts is listed as Delores Sundeen, and I am just a little envious of her.

The quilts caught my attention, but as I read the history of them, they began to have a new beauty to them. In 1933, a new President was elected to the White House, where he had to face a tough economic problem. (sound familiar??) One of the programs that Franklin Roosevelt created was the 'Works Progress Administration', where they created work relief jobs, to provide income for the unemployed.

Through this program, the Milwaukee County started a unique program, that employed women in handcrafts. Long story short - they learned to make quilts. They used the best solid fabrics available, but they did not put any batting into the blankets, because it was too costly.


Delores Sundeen was a forth grade teacher from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and was able to purchase three baby quilts made by these gifted women.

These two quilts are examples of how a great design can be made out of simple fabrics. I love the simplicity, and 'modern' styling that is found in both of these quilts.

The Small Rocking Horse pattern, and The Deer and Butterflies pattern, were both made between 1935 - 1940, and were made by the Milwaukee State Teachers College.

So my compliments to these women, for they were truly ahead of their time. During a very hard era, they came together as a collective group, and created beautiful quilts that provided warmth to the children, and inspiration to future generations.

Keep warm, and I will see you on Monday.
-myra