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Sears Century of Progress in Quilt Making – 1933

Posted on May 12, 2010August 2, 2015 by Martha

This is one of two booklets I own which were published after the Sears National Quilt Contest associated with the 1933 World’s Fair held in Chicago. It is mentioned in the wonderful out-of-print book, Patchwork Souvenirs of the 1933 World’s Fair by Merikay Waldvogel and Barbara Brackman — a great story about the contest with fabulous photos of the entries.

When I acquired these booklets, I was researching the Autumn Leaves quilt pattern. Anyone familiar with this pattern will notice that it has been radically simplified in this publication — as have some of the other quilt entries to a lesser degree. I’ve been excited to clean it up and share it with you, though, because it’s still a wonderful, historical document.

Both of these booklets are quite rare, and owners of the originals often sell copies for up to $20. Since I wanted my readers to be able to enjoy these patterns, but also wanted to discourage anyone else from selling my images, I have added a watermark to each of the pages.  You might also be interested in the other booklet, The Quilt Fair Comes to You.

11 thoughts on “Sears Century of Progress in Quilt Making – 1933”

  1. Allie says:
    May 12, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    SEARS? Really? Amazing. Good idea on the watermark. These are lovely quilts!

    Reply
  2. Hilda says:
    May 12, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Beautiful applique patterns – thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jan says:
    May 12, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Ooooh, I love that Delectable Mountain! And not just because it is red and white… What a great reference!

    Reply
  4. viridian says:
    May 15, 2010 at 6:08 am

    Thank you for this reference material. I hope you’ll tell us more about the Autumn leaves pattern.

    Reply
  5. slave to the quilt says:
    May 15, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    Heard you’re not feeling well – hope you feel better soon! – STTQ

    Reply
  6. Ann says:
    May 17, 2010 at 9:56 am

    It is pretty amazing that Sears used to put out booklets like this. I forget what the store used to be like. The Sears in my hometown had pet products and some crafts in the basement. I got my first embroidery kit from JC Penney. It was near boy’s jeans and I had three brothers and lots of time to look!

    Baby Doll has a sweet blue t-shirt from the GAP which she WILL NOT WEAR. I like the color though, so I thought I would try appliqueing a flower on it. I’m eyeing the Tea Rose pattern, because part of it looks like a sunflower and that is just what I had in mind.

    Reply
  7. pratima says:
    May 18, 2010 at 8:04 am

    Thank you, Martha! the patterns are beautiful!!

    Reply
  8. etja5 says:
    May 19, 2010 at 3:06 am

    The International Quilt Study Center (University of Lincoln Nebraska) has a wounderful vidcast with Merikay Waldvolgel about the Sears Quit contest. It has lot’s of pictures of the “Century of Progress” quilts and just so amusing stories about those quilter and their winning quilts.

    Here is the link to that vidcast, I am sure you will enjoy it…

    http://www.quiltstudy.org/connections/resources/podcasts_video.html?podcasts_video_item=65243&db_item=listitem

    Reply
  9. Wanetha says:
    May 31, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    Thank you for sharing the info re: Sears Booklet – Century of Progress in Quilting. I am really enjoying all the information I am coming across about the History of Quilting from our past.

    Reply
  10. Rob Germundson says:
    July 2, 2010 at 12:46 am

    What a great find. I love quilt history and appreciate you sharing this.

    Reply
  11. Faith Pesson says:
    March 13, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve been looking for the Louisiana Rose pattern for a long time & now I have found it!

    Reply

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