My friend, Patty (Petalier on Etsy), sent me an enormous box of vintage embroidery transfers, many of which were the large format designs from Laura Wheeler and American Weekly. I am in the process of scanning the transfers and will be posting them soon. Tucked in among the transfers was this timely and pretty quilt pattern, Flower of Spring, which shares a name with the KC Star appliqué pattern. Since our forecast is for sunny weather all week in Seattle, I am feeling rather springy today.
Laura Wheeler was just one of the pseudonyms used by Needlecraft Service, Inc., a mail order pattern company located in NYC. The heyday for these patterns must have been the 1930s and 40s, because that’s the period I found most of their ads in archived newspapers. Under the Laura Wheeler name, Needlecraft Service, Inc. published patterns for quilting, crochet, knitting, embroidery and sewing.
LW quilt patterns are generally complex, with many pieces, curves and set-in seams — just the type of patterns I love. Also, lots of them are perfect for scrappy type quilts, which is another plus for me. The original pattern sheet is large at 18″ x 24″ and gives two choices of fabric width (32″ and 34″), so you would need a little less yardage if you’re using modern fabric.
Because people sell photocopies of these patterns for ridiculous amounts of money, I have watermarked the high resolution image. Other large images of Laura Wheeler quilt patterns are available in earlier posts: Wreath, Joseph’s Coat, and Star of the Night. Below the pattern is a gallery of newspaper clippings of other Laura Wheeler patterns. If, like me, you enjoy drafting your own patterns, these old ads are a wonderful resource; and if you’ve never made a quilt using templates and hand piecing, maybe one of these patterns will inspire you to try.
Thanks Martha for sharing these great ideas!
I recently picked up an old hand-piecing project and have really enjoyed it. Some of these blocks would be good candidates for the next hand-piecing project. Thank you for sharing them.
Lovely patterns. I wish I could get suitable fabrics especially doggy design ones in my country.
Thank you for sharing such lovely designs.
What a gorgeous block! Love it … and all the effects that are possible with a little fussy cutting!
Oh i love these (especially the bunny one). I’m glad you watermarked the pattern, It gripes me too! Have a great day Martha! It’s still really cool here and I’m praying for some warmth soon! Glad one of us is getting some good weather!
hugs,
Mickie
There are some real beauties here! I love the flowers in flowerpots … and the appliqued dogs … and a lot more.
What a prize. Isn’t it fun to see what quilters of the past had to work with, vs all that is available for quilters today. But, I still love doing things the “old fashioned” way, even though I love my rotary cutter and rulers.
Some really fun patterns shown here, Thank You!
I made the Frisky Fido Quilt. It turned out wonderful. My daughter loves the quilt
This quilt brought many memories of my grandmother quilting for all of the grandchildren
I seen the article for Field of Daisy pattern. My mother had the orginal pattern from 1935, but it got misplaced during her illness and moving. I would like to find the pattern again. Thank you
Thanks for sharing these. A friend and I were talking about the Friendship Circle pattern. I’m glad we could find your scanned ephemera.
I recently found a newspaper clipping illustrating ‘Unique Scrap Quilt Presented’ –Tulip, pattern 508
The clipping had included an envelope and several cardboard pieces but I cannot figure out how they worked. Very geometrical, traingles primarily, no circles. Any ideas to help in my search for how to put a square together?
I am making progress on the Laura Wheeler 508 block! I thought I had figured out the block but it still did not look quite right. I took the old newspaper classified ad to the library and enlarged it several times. I found my error in drawing the block. I also located a book in the extensive collection at the Comstock Township Library, Comstock, MI, called ‘The Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns’ by Jinny Beyer (Breckling Press, 2009). This source was outstanding in giving information about quiltiing history and the women who advertised their patterns in classified ads in newspapers.
At this time I have a 12 inch block drawn on mylar and am gradually making pattern pieces so I can assemble a sample block.
This has not been just a pattern I found but a learning experience in so many ways!
Been looking along time to identify Pointsetta pattern. My guess was 1930 or 1940 so I was very excited to see the picture of this pattern. It also Sayes wouldn’t it look good in red and white! And mine is red and white! So excited to finally find it!