Bedspreads and Tablecloths Crochet Patterns Book No 301

For this review, let's take it all the way back to 1953.  (I don't know about you, but that's before even I was born!).  In this time, the flight to the suburbs continues, many women continue to be stay-at-home mothers, and fashions are on the sleek side, which were termed Modern.  (Relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past).    The book is ....

J&P Coats & Clark's Book No 301 Bedspreads and Tablecloths

The inside cover promotion:  AMERICAN MODERN ... the prettiest, most practical style of home decoration that flows more and more popular every year.  To prove that creative crochet is always charming, we have chosen representative examples of contemporary American furniture and have designed harmonizing bedspreads and tablecloths.  And, as an outlet for your imagination, we give you a selection of motifs, to make whatever you desire in the thread of your choice - which, of course, will be the best -- Coats and Clark's O.N.T. Crochet Cottons.  

S-435 California Modern is made of 4" medallions.

S-436 Pennsylvania Modern - The two color display gives this design a bit of a geometric look.  Square are 3 1/2 inches.

S-437 Maryland Modern is the first 'fitted' spread I've seen in any of the pattern books.   It is accompanied by a 10 inch bolster.  The medallions are 3 inch.

S-483 Texas Modern is a 6 inch medallion in an octagon shape with a circle center.  A quite appealing design.

In the middle of the book, Coats & Clark's decided to take a bit of a shortcut and give us samples of the medallions only, with a small sketch next to it to further imply possible uses.  The theme .. let your imagination to wild; use these for cloths, chair sets, whatever.  Note that the bottom left square is actually a hairpin lace panel.  (P.S. -- I'd imagine most of these, crocheted in knitting worsted, would make great afghans).   These motifs are scattered among the crochet squares/medallions category.

And the back cover is graced by the stunning S-447 Oregon Modern.   This beauty, in wheat motif, measures 66 inches in diameter and will become the central focus in any room.

And, that's it.  At first I though it was light on tablecloths until my thinking cleared and realized the medallions in the center of the book were all multi-purpose.

There's some nice selections in here.   Those of you who may have inherited some of these designs ...
what a delight.  For the rest of you, perhaps you should get those hooks ready and create future heirlooms.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Tips on Tables, Vintage Crochet Book 167 from Spool Cotton

Okay, the title here gives us a great start.    In the evenings I like to rework these vintage (public domain) patterns while watching TV with my husband.   Well ... he's actually the one watching TV ... I'm just sitting on the couch with him !    This week, I've been working on my issue of ....

Spool Cotton Company Book No 167 - Tips on Tables.   This book was published in 1941 (yep, 76 years ago), in promotion of their current lines of threads.

No 7385 -  Dance of the Flowers - graces both the front and back cover.   This delightful large floral medallion with smaller fill-in work is worked in two colors.

The threads, well that would be "Clark's O.N.T. or J&P Coats Best Six Cord Mercerized Crochet Thread.   Remember, this is a time period before Coat's and Clark's were merged together into one brand.

No 7391 - Sorcery - Another medallions design (5 1/4 inches) with smaller fill-in motifs.  The finished cloth measures 53 x 73 inches. 

No 7363 - Richelieu - This (first) filet crochet selection carries a bold mosaic motif in the extra long size of 65 x 93 inches.

No 7444 - Peacock Tails - This four piece luncheon set was a quite popular design during the 1940's, appearing in five (that I know of) different Spool Cotton pattern books.

No 7414 - Snowfall - A delicate luncheon set with place mats and runners made up of small 2 1/8 motifs in a snowflake design.

No 7386 - Princess Charming - Dainty floral and leaf motif  in octagon motifs.  The finished cloth is the standard 60 x 80 inches.

No 7387 Forest Flowers - A larger motif at 5 inches, with fill-in, that resembles an opening flower bloom.

No 7416 - Family Affair - This Dogwood trimmed beauty, worked in Filet Crochet, measures 70 inches in diameter.

No 7185A - Spring Song - This exquisite lace mat is perfectly sized for trays.   The pattern includes the 'A", which means there is a corresponding piece out there.   I've not yet found it, but rest assured, I'll be on the watch.

No 7433 - Rusticana - A round Mat set densely crocheted using Knit-Cro-Sheen in three colors.
This pattern is offered as a free download in the shop.

No 7389 - Summer Sun - Another round medallion cloth; quite different but equally as lovely as the others.

No 7388 - A Square-A-Day - This third filet crochet selection is made of large 17 inch square blocks in a somewhat geometric flower motif.

No 7415 - True Love - Small Posy Flower motifs (a lot of them!) create this marvelous cloth - also 60 x 80 inches.

No 7408 - Rosy Posy - Our last filet crochet selection gives us a delightful luncheon set in rounded shape.

No 7328 - Brighter Star - The 5 1/2 inch round star motifs, with openwork joinings create a lovely cloth that is 65 x 90 inches.   A smaller version of this would almost make a lovely runner.

No 7392 - Gingerbread House - A tri-color mat set that has great potential; not only in browns but the colors of your dining room.

No 7390 - Flower Girl - This cloth is created in 4-1/2 inch medallions that are a 6-petal flower with small fill-in.   A grand design for your dining table.

No 7413 - Frolic - This sweet motif cloth starts with a linen center surrounded by a wide and whimsical squirrel and floral border.  Termed a tea cloth, is measures 44 inches square.

The book closes with a promotional advertisement for the other Spool Cotton pattern books of similar release dates.

And, there we go.  True to the title - Tips on Tables - all seventeen cloths or mats pattern are geared to the dining table.  I like that they put in five filet crocheted motifs; certainly more than the average vintage pattern book.

It took me almost a week to get through this one, but it's now listed in the shop for vintage historical value.  Time to move on to the next set ... perhaps a magazine this time.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Star Book 34 - Bedspreads

Having just finished working my way through an entire magazine, decided to take a bit of a break and work on something a bit smaller.   Pulled open the 'pending' cabinet, and next up in the stack is this delightful book

Book No 34, Star Bedspreads from The American Thread Company.  This collection of 13 patterns was released in 1944 and is displayed over 27 pages.

 On the inside cover is the typical promotion.   This booklet was a promotion of their product - Puritan Cotton Thread.    Here, we also learn that the patterns in this book are all Cecilia Vanek designs.  There's an interesting note, that should you have a problem with a pattern, you can write to her directly.   Now, that's certainly an offer we don't see anymore.  

No 3401 - Hollywood - Cinematic glamour from just two pairs of dotted swiss curtains, with added filet crochet.

No 3402 - Capitol Hill - A delicate filet crochet to lent that touch of splendor to a formal bedroom.

No 3403 - Pennsylvania Dutch - Now you have found it .. a knitted bedspread with hex design.      The design here is not exactly the same, but quite similar to the Pennsylvania Dutch Afghan.

No 3404 - Manhattan - This solid crocheted spread with blocks and vertical stripes is tailored simplicity at its best ... perfect for a modern setting ... perfect for 'his' room.

No 3405 - Hot Springs - A lacy piece with dainty beading - delight your daughter and make this for her own special room.

No 3406 - Louisiana Bayou - The raised Water Lily design brings to mind the flora and fauna of the rich Southland.

No 3407 - 20TH Century Chicago - For a room with a new idea, solid crochet, applique and lacy border.

No 3408 - Peach Tree Street - A spread Scarlet would have chosen for her home with Rhett ... a popcorn pinwheel variation.

No 3409 - Texas Ranch - A knitted spread in herringbone pattern.  Make the stripes as narrow or as wide and in as many colors as your room can take. 

No 3410 - Connecticut Yankee - This popcorn stitch spread is a must to complete your old maple and pine bedroom .. great grandmother loved this simple beauty too. 

No 3411 - Ohio Farmhouse - Large filet block design, looks as if the spread were made all in one piece.  One of the simplest designs to do.

No 3412 - Land of Nod - Whimsical .. elfin .. and so simple to make; a block of filet crochet and then a block of fabric.  Little tots will adore it.

And that's it ... all 12 patterns.   There are a couple classics in here ... such as the Pennsylvania Dutch and the Louisiana Bayou and then, of course, the absolute charmer of Land of Nod.  The first time I came across the Pennsylvania Dutch bedspread it was in a magazine with incomplete instructions, so I was quite happy to find it in this booklet.  

Okay, now on to the next project .... 

Thanks for dropping by,  

Hand Crochet Decorations, Bernard Ulmann Vol 119

I've just finished working may way through Bernhard & Ulmann Volume 119.   This is a crochet pattern book, named Hand Crochet Decorations, dates all the way back to 1937.   The book itself is 37 pages, but represents just 6 patterns.   It starts with the six bedspread designs, and then, in the second half of the pattern book, you are given matching accessories for three of the bedspread patterns --- pillows, scarfs, chair sets, etc.  

These are beautiful designs, which, in my opinion, would be as beautiful in todays' home as they were some 77 years ago.  

Gracing the front cover is the elegant Fruit Banquet Tablecloth (No 4195).  Worked primarily in Filet Crochet, the ensemble includes the tablecloth in 4 different sizes, as well as the scarf, pillow and chair set.

The Cluny Filet Bedspread (No 4194)  is the only pattern that is not an ensemble; just the bedspread.  Worked in Filet Crochet, it is quite a grand design of alternating flower blocks.

This stunning spread is called the Octagon Popcorn No 4192.   The blocks are 7-1/4 each and, as you might have guessed, are octagon shaped and feature the popcorn stitch. 

Another ensemble pattern, The Medici Star No 4191 includes the spread, scarf, pillow and chair set.

The ClunyWheel No 4193 ensemble is worked in a combination of regular and filet crochet rows.   The set includes the bedspread, scarf and chair set.

One more design, the Clover Leaf No 4196 Luncheon Set, is a combination of regular and filet crochet.   The set, which includes placemats and a centerpiece runner, have a filet center and a delicate border of clover leaf.

And, the back cover is a Lux Detergent advertisement .... perfect for washing your crocheted beauties.

And that is the entire book ... 6 patterns by title and number, but so much more. Wouldn't you agree that these patterns are a fiber art fantasy?    I've listed the patterns in my shop, just follow the links below the pictures, should you be interested.

Thanks for dropping by,

Star Popcorn Crochet Bedspread Pattern

I'm spending another couple days working on the stack of individual pattern leaflets   The majority of the leaflets match up to pattern already listed in a book, so I double check them to make sure I don't already have them listed.

Last night I was working on this 1938 leaflet from The Spool Cotton Company.

The design is a Popcorn Star Bedspread, vintage 1938 from The Spool Cotton Company.   Usually leaflets have an assigned leaflet number.  This one does not.  I was sure, however, that I already had the design.  So, I went on the hunt through the shop.    I thought I'd found the match .....

But, on closer look ... it's quite similar, but not the same.   This one is from Lily Mills, early 1940's, a Crocheted Swedish Spread ... but also stars in popcorn stitch.

So, I proceeded and entered the leaflet in the shop.   If I had to pick one over the other, I'd think that I'd go for the Lily Mills .... but that just might be the fringe calling me.   If you want to browse other crochet bedspreads, I've quite a few in the shop.

Thanks for dropping by,

Sears Roebuck Crochet Pattern in Hearthside Crochet Cotton

This week I'm working on a small stack of pattern leaflets while I learn a new OCR software program.    Second up in the stack was a crochet pattern for a lacy tablecloth.   The real surprise here, for me, was the name on the pattern - SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.

Lace Tablecloth 

Of the several thousand patterns that I've handled, this is the first time that I've seen one issued with the Sears name.    I did a quick Google on the materials - Hearthside Crochet Cotton - and learned what I should have suspected; it was a brand marketed under the Sears, Roebuck name.  

Out of curiosity I did a variety of other Google searches looking for Sears, Roebuck knit or crochet patterns.   And, other than a couple references to sold books from Ebay, I found almost nothing.      

Now,  I have a couple hundred loose pattern leaflets stacked up waiting to be worked on.   Perhaps I will find more.   If I do, I'll be sure to come back here and add a note, thus changing the pattern designation for a one-hit wonder, to a growing collection !  

Do you have, or know of these patterns?      Thanks for dropping by.  

Lorrie