Someone Up There Does Not Like Me

 There are two MEGA church rummage sales this weekend and I have injured my right Achilles tendon and can't walk.

Christmas Quilting - "Shepherd's Light" from 1946

 

Seasonally appropriate but probably not something you can whip up in the next ten days - unless you're making it crib- or lap-sized.  From the January, 1946 issue of Workbasket magazine.  The entire issue is available as a free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, January 1938

 

Time for another Workbasket magazine - this one has two quilt patterns, a crocheted collar that is straight out of Flash Gordon, knitted gloves, and some interesting household hints ("When boiling custards or sauces, place a clean marble in the bottom of the vessel.  This will avoid the necessity of stirring, and save much time.  The marble will roll around in the custard and prevent burning.")

The entire issue may be downloaded at the Antique Patterns Library site.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, December 1937

Crocheted panholders and a poinsettia refreshment set of coasters and a pitcher mat.  Two quilt patterns - "Save-all" - to use up every scrap you have, even the tiniest, and one for "Ring Around The Star."   Transfers for the cross-stitch pets on the cover would set you back the magnificent sum of twenty-five cents.  

The download is available at the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, November 1937

This month - "Let's Make Money With Dollhouses," which contains not one word about making money, only dollhouses, a Whirligig quilt pattern, and instructions for a crocheted medallion to make the bedspread on the cover. PDF at the Antique Patterns Library.  The usual crop of patterns for sale, as well as hints about all sorts of lovely things to make as Christmas presents that will be in the next issue.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, September 1937

Crochet projects include the butterfly "chair protector" (front cover), flowers to wear as a pin or boutonniere, a kitchen match holder that boggles the mind (the editor points out helpfully that it can also be made of oilcloth), and a pansy mat.

The only non-crochet item is a Ring Around The Star pieced quilt.  Contrary to last month's promises, the pattern for the yard ornament is not included in the magazine but the directions are given along with an illustration.  There are as usual a number of patterns to send away for, and some tantalizing glimpses of Christmas projects that will be in the October issue.  Free download (pdf or individual pages) at the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, August 1937

A mixed bag this month - how to make rugs by knotting pieces of rag around and through two strands of heavy cord*, tips on trimming using ric-rac, a very PA Dutch-looking tulip applique quilt, a baby's bonnet in crochet, and three pages of patterns to send away for - cross-stitch tea cloths, wooden garden markers, and an embroidered hanging.  Full PDF can be downloaded from the Antique Pattern Library. 

*The same technique is illustrated/explained much more completely in the Popular Mechanics reprint The Girl Mechanic, if you're really interested.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, July 1937

This month's issue has only two patterns - a fancy Dresden Plate quilt, and a crocheted bedspread.  Readers are offered a titillating glimpse of issues to come, though.  

A free download is available from the Antique Pattern Library. 

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, June,1937

I seem to have fallen a couple of days behind ever since I got back from Dorian.  Here's an attempt to catch up.

 Nothing on this month's cover is actually in the booklet - there is an offer for a baffling racial mix of tea-towel transfers (Scots, French, Danish, Portuguese and the usual cringe-inducing "Dinah and Rastus"), instructions on how to make a garden decoration, a Star Flower quilt, crocheted lace gloves, a pixy cap to either knit or crochet, and two crocheted handbags.

There are also the directions for the "clever coat" promised in May but that was a snare and a delusion - you cut out the coat from muslin or feed sacks, using any coat pattern of the "most becoming length" and then candlewick it.  The instructions are strictly for the candlewicking process but  Aunt Martha's editors promise the end result will look just like the new rage in Hollywood.

The PDF to download (free) is from the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket - May 1937

Another issue of Workbasket magazine - this has what I would say is the epitome of "between the wars" quilt on the cover, the "Basket of Daisies" pattern to piece and applique inside.

There are the usual pattern offers, instructions (with no illustration) on how to make organdy carnations, and a crochet table mat project.  There's a teaser about the next month's Workbasket that will include "Hollywood's Latest - A lightweight coat that breathes cleverness and last minute style." 

Aunt Martha's Workbasket - April, 1937

Not much in this month's issue - lots of transfers to write for, but the actual projects are two crochet (one dress, one vanity set) and a quilt pattern for Grandmother's Tulip that looks more like a trumpet vine, but maybe that's just me.

Free download at the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, March 1937

Some nice projects in this one - crocheted edgings and a "beverage set," the Dogwood and Vanishing Star quilt patterns, pompom toys and a pretty knitting bag.  Free download at the Antiques Pattern Library. 

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, February 1937

An attractive sports blouse in crochet and a Japanese Lantern quilt pattern are the high points of this issue (and several baby items, not my cup of tea).  The page numbers appear to be out of order or maybe I'm just under-caffeinated.  Free download from the Antique Pattern Library. 

Aunt Martha's Workbasket Magazine, January 1937

Another crochet-heavy issue, with a rug, a doily, and a collar and cuff set, along with a pattern for an Iris quilt in applique. A free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket Magazine - December, 1936

Eight pages from 1936, including a crocheted bedspread, a crocheted chair set, and a quilt pattern called, perhaps wistfully,  Mother's Dream.  Free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, November, 1936

Working our way through the 1930's with the Workbasket magazine for November, 1936.  Lots of embroidery transfer patterns (including the obligatory racial stereotypes), a set of crocheted  animal puppets, a rather pretty crocheted pot-holder in the shape of a calla lily, which will be forever associated in my mind with Katherine Hepburn at her droopiest, and the Delectable Mountains quilt pattern.

Free download at the Antique Pattern Library.

EDITED TO CORRECT THE YEAR: which is 1936, not 1937.  Workbaskets wouldn't start showing their year/month until after the war (I think).

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, October 1937

Lots of crochet projects; a man's tie, woman's ascot, and potholders in the shape of a turnip and carrot.  The cover outfit is knitted, and there's a pretty but tricky-looking quilt pattern on p4 called Springtime Blossoms that looks like a variation of the classic Dogwood pattern.  The pdf is available as a free download at the Antique Pattern Library site.

As a side note, I should apologize for the sporadic postings of the past few weeks but as Paris gets closer, it's just going to get worse. 

To recap - Youngest Sister and I are taking a river cruise from Paris to Normandy and back to Paris, where we will be joined by Oldest Sister and Oldest Sister's Oldest Daughter* and Youngest Sister's Oldest Friend.  After four days whooping it up in the City of Lights, YSOF is returning to her home in London, YS, OS, OSOD and I will be heading for Haguenau for a week and then back to Paris where YS and I will fly home and OS and OSOD will travel on to Brussels. 

There's a good chance that we have driven our poor travel agent to drink.   

(*technically, she's Oldest Sister's Only Daughter, but...details).

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, June 1937

Not a lot of content in this month's issue but this crocheted outfit (skirt, blouse and capelet) is pretty, and there are instructions for making a Trip Around The World quilt, and an embroidery pattern for a "Singing Mexican Boy."  Free download at the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, May 1937

Somewhat catty-wampus, but still. Includes helpful hints, embroidered quilt blocks, a crocheted lightweight dress for the warmer months, Grandmother's Flower Garden and the 1930's knitted bathing suit.  Download at the Antique Pattern Library.

Aunt Martha's Workbasket, April 1937

The April, 1937 issue with household hints, lots of pattern to send for by mail (including this frog pillow, alas), crocheted edgings and insertions, an Old-Fashioned Lady quilt, how to make a hassock from gallon cans, and more.  Download from the Antique Patterns Library.