During the Great Depression, sewing materials were conserved for clothing and repair; however, toward the end of the Depression, quilters brought out their tools and un-used squares and got to work. Quilting has always been used to pass on family stories and memories, but it also has a long tradition of being tied to acts of kindness and charity. After years of tattered clothing and poverty, those still down on their luck got great happiness and comfort out of receiving a new quilt.
We wanted to share a few photos of quilters at work from 1936-1941.
Farm women of the "Helping Hand" club display a pieced quilt which they are making for the benefit of one of their numbers. Near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon. Hit "Next Page" below to see the remaining (17) photos...
Farm women, members of the "Helping Hand" club, carefully roll up the quilt upon which they are working. Near West Carlton, Yamhill County, Oregon. October, 1939
Grandmother from Oklahoma and her pieced quilt. California, Kern County
Grandmother from Oklahoma with grandson, working on quilt. California, Kern County
Lititz, Pennsylvania. The Moravian sewing circle quilts for anyone at one cent a yard of thread and donates the money to the church
Lititz, Pennsylvania. The oldest member of the Moravian sewing circle is in her nineties. Members of the circle quilt for anyone who wants it at the cost of one cent a yard of thread, and the money goes to the church
Jennie Pettway and another girl with the quilter Jorena Pettway. Gees Bend, Alabama, April 1937
Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt she made. Mrs. Stagg helps her husband in the fields with plowing, planting, and weeding corn and harvesting beans, and quilts while she rests during the noon hour. Pie Town, New Mexico. June, 1940
Box Elder County, Utah. Mormon women tacking a quilt to be used by a sheepherder. July, 1940
Box Elder County, Utah. Mormon women tacking a quilt to be used by a sheepherder. July, 1940
Making a quilt from surplus commodity cotton in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. October, 1941
Making quilts from surplus commodity cotton in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. Oct 1941
A quilting party in an Alvin, Wisconsin, home. May, 1937
Quilting in sharecropper's home near Pace, Mississippi. January 1939
Mrs. L.L. LeCompt stitching quilt squares together. She does all her family sewing. Coffee County, Alabama. April, 1939
Members of the women's club making quilt. Granger Homesteads, Iowa. April, 1940
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