QUILT INDEX RECORD

33-29-75

Description of quilt:

Home Art Studio pattern "Lone Star" used for this quilt made in Mendota, MN.

Essay:

The 1933 Sears National Quilt Contest was announced in January 1933 with a deadline of May 15, 1933. Over 24,000 quilts were entered at local Sears stores or sent to one of 10 regional mail order houses. Quilts were judged at each site with the top three winners moving onto the next round. Finally just 30 quilts reached the final judging held at the Sears Pavilion on the 1933 Chicago World's Fair site. The entry tag is still attached to this quilt which was made by Mrs. G. M. Bell of Mendota, Minnesota. The pattern in shades of yellow and gold is no doubt a Hubert Ver Mehren design published by Home Art Co. of Des Moines, IA. These patterns were popular with contestants as well as the judges.

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Merikay Waldvogel Legacy Project

Who documented this quilt?

Merikay Waldvogel Legacy Project; Sears Quilt Contest 1933 Chicago World's Fair

Merikay Waldvogel Legacy Project Number:

239

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Lone Star

Brackman # or other source & #:

4005

How wide is the quilt?

81 inches

How long is the quilt?

93 inches

What color is the quilt?

Gold; White; Yellow

Overall color scheme:

Bright or primary colors

What is inscribed on the quilt?

The official contest entry label includes contest entry information: Name of Maker. Pattern Name, When Quilt Was Made, Selling Price if willing to sell, Quilter's Name, Address, City and State, Sears Store Name/Number. Entry label also included the following statement: "I certify that this quilt is entirely of my own making, and that it has never been exhibited previously" to which the quilter signed her name." Info: Mrs. G. M. Bell Name of Pattern: Lone Star Made: 1931 Not for sale Signed: Mrs. G. M. Bell P. O. box 64 Mendota, MN

Method used to make the inscription:

Attached label

Time period:

1930-1949

Family/owner's date for quilt:

1931

Describe the quilt's layout:

Medallion or framed center

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Grid diamond

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Wreaths

Quilt top made by:

Bell, Mrs. G. M.

Quilted by:

Bell, Mrs. G. M.

Where the quilt was made, city:

Mendota

Where the quilt was made, state:

Minnesota (MN)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Why was the quilt made?

Challenge or Contest entry

Quilt is presently used as:

Keepsake/memento

Where did the maker get their materials?

Purchased new

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Commercial/Published source: Pattern

Commercial name of the pattern for the top:

Home Art Studio

Contests entered:

Sears Quilt Contest, 1933 Chicago World's Fair

Publications (including web sites) where this quilt or maker was featured:

Merikay Waldvogel and Barbara Brackman. Patchwork Souvenirs of the 1933 World's Fair (Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press, 1993)

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

In which kind of environment did the quiltmaker live?

Rural

Quiltmaker's city:

Mendota

Quiltmaker's state:

Minnesota (MN)

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

Access and copyright information:

Restricted