Checker Newsletter

In 1922, “The Farmer’s Wife” – a magazine for farm women, sponsored a contest.  They asked women if they wanted their daughters to marry farmers and write a letter and to explain why.  At this time in our history, farmer’s wives were pitied by more sophisticated city dwellers, and the magazine felt that these women would want the best for their daughters.  By speaking for their daughters, the magazine would get a more accurate description of farm life.  Ninety-two percent of the wives were happy and loved their lives!

Item #Z2991  Retail $27.95

This was an interesting time in our history.  World War One was over and the Great Depression wouldn’t happen until 1929.  While this period may be considered the calm before the storm, the times, they were a changing!  In 1919, Prohibition became a reality and just a year later, women won the right to vote!

In 1922, the magazine had a circulation of 750,000 subscribers.  To put that in perspective, there were 2.5 million cars on the road – and that number would grow to 22 million by the end of the decade.  This was a time of growth in technology and Henry Ford was king!

The letters are fascinating – and the strength and values that these women hold dear, are heart warming.  Each letter is printed with the writer’s name and home town.  Laurie chose two blocks that were inspired by each letter.  The book includes 111 – six inch blocks set on point to create a beautiful heirloom quality quilt.

A CD is included that has all of the templates needed to sew the blocks.  But in my case, the fun is figuring out new and creative ways to duplicate these blocks.  I will be teaching this book as a Block of the Month program over a two year period.  We are doing 5 blocks a month for 22 months – and taking off Decembers.

I get to divide the blocks by type for each class.  We will do four-patches one month; half-square triangles another, etc.  This gives me an opportunity to teach every aspect of quilting.  By the end of two years, my students will have the equivalent of their masters in quilting.  Consider teaching this class in your shop.  Wouldn’t the farmer’s wives be proud????