Victory Garden Quilts by Eleanor Burns
July 16, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Home & Living
As I glanced through a quilting magazine, I saw an introduction to Victory Garden quilts by Eleanor Burns. Since I was a child during the Victory Garden years of World War II, in the 1940s, these brought back memories.
Even the fabrics were reminiscent of those we used in making clothing and other items in that era. These were fabrics like those used when I learned to sew, my grandmother pieced quilts by hand, and Auntie sewed aprons and hand towels.
Victory gardens, where Americans raised their own fruit and vegetables, often the first time for many, were popular then. Some also planted flowers for cheer in an uncertain world of black-outs and food shortages and rationing.
Although I grew up on a farm where we had a garden anyway, my mom planted one with flowers she called our Victory garden. She painted a large tub red and blue with large white V’s on either side. This, filled with geraniums, she positioned in the center of the plot.
Do you have Victory Garden memories? Then you might enjoy Eleanor Burns’ Victory Garden designs and book.
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
No, I wasn’t born until the 70s, but I have a love affair for everything from the 30s and 40s. I like the clothes, movies, houses, everything!
Thanks for stopping by Quilting and Patchwork, Peggy, and sharing your fascination with the 30s and 40s. As I look back upon the 40s, I find it a fascinating era…and a heroic one when the world was at war and our country fought for freedom. At least there are many memories for me.
I remember hearing about victory gardens but I’ve never heard of victory garden quilts. Makes sense though doesn’t it?
People had to be so frugal. I inherited a bunch of ration books. Whenever I come across them, it makes me stop and think how fortunate most of us are today.
I learned about Victory Gardens from watching PBS.
I had no idea that there were Victory Garden quilts.
There’s certainly a resurgence in interest in reusing fabrics and clothing, so I think this book will be very popular!