I recently baked an apple pie in order to photograph it and make a block for my cookbook quilt (plus ~ it made Mike happy).
When I took it over to Shorehaven to share with Dad and Mom (who are still doing quite well), my Dad had a story to share. I made the pie in a plate inherited from my grandmother. Dad noticed the plate and asked if I knew how Grandma got it. I did not. He explained that back during the depression going to the movies was a big deal, and to get people to attend they had “plate night” in which each person was given a plate. He said they were the only nice dishes he ate off of growing up.
I found this information about Dish Night online: “Movie attendance plummeted during the hard times of the 1930s. Savvy marketers at Salem China and other potteries sold theater managers on the idea of giving away free dishes to women to attract viewers. “Dish Night” promotions were wildly successful, and Fiesta Ware was another type of dishes given away.” Dad added that it wasn’t uncommon for someone to drop a dish during the movie, and when they did everyone applauded 😂.
The contest I’m planning to enter my cookbook quilt in requires a traditional quilt block to be included in the design. After making the “food” blocks for my cookbook quilt I needed to start making the Dresden Plate blocks that I thought would make it even more interesting. So, while on retreat I made a few. They were cute,
but they didn’t look right on the quilt. Phooey! That left me with the question: “what traditional block should I use???” Nothing with triangles seemed to fit, and I knew it needed to be “simple”. Then it hit me ~ rows of four patches would make a checkerboard! Yes! I decided to frame the photo of Mom and me first. If you’ve read my blog for a while you know that when I have “duh” moments I sometimes share them so that others might be saved the same frustrations. Well – this ended up being a really “duh-duh-dumb” couple of hours: Since I chose the four patch as my block, I began making my checkerboard with 1 1/2″ squares.
After 4 hours and oodles of ripping it was done (and not as accurate as I’d wanted).
I went to bed disappointed in myself, and woke up realizing how foolish I was. Checkerboards are much easier to make with long strip piecing (DUH – I knew that!). So that’s how I did the top and bottom borders, and they were actually easier, fun, and much more accurate!
I placed them top and bottom onto the quilt and then hand appliquéd the framed photo in place. I chose to sew the binding on before stitching on the other appliqués, and was pleased with the results. Now it was time add a bit more quilting. The area around the photo of Mom and me needed something, so I copied a portion of the original design of the cookbook onto freezer paper, cut it out, ironed it in place, and quilted around it.
Because of the blue background fabric I left around each appliqué, it was easy to machine top-stitch them onto the quilt, once I figured out where to put them. I then photographed the quilt to enter it in the contest and that’s when I realized the red background needed more quilting. I had a wonderful time spiraling it all. Then it was done.
I couldn’t wait to show it to Mom and Dad ~ and they loved it! I gave it to them this past week and hung it in Mom’s room so they could enjoy it.
I’m so grateful they are still here to see it. Every moment with them is a blessing!
Jan Hartwig says
What a beautiful quilt and a beautiful gesture to your mom. Wow!
Barb Jordan says
The dish give away was done during the war too. My Mother collected an entire set and it became her GOOD dishes for many years. Later she was able to purchase china. I don’t know what happened to the other set but a few years ago I found a plate on an antique store. I purchased it and it on display in my kitchen.
Lynda Doberstein says
My Grandma Saeger ( nee Loshe). Got her Red dishes from the movie theater as well. Its a much different patterns She got cups sayses salt pepper set creamer sugar bowl . Im so happy that I have the complete set of them. Sever for 8. I’d send a picture but unable to post it here.
judy raddatz says
Wonderful Quilt especially the joy of your parents. I also remember getting dishes in laundry powder That was a great marketing idea
Doris Rindfleisch says
Reply to Judy Raddatz…Were those the plates with the yellow wheat on? My grandma had those, and yes, I think they were from laundry detergent. She was born in 1897 and lived to 108, but I never recall her talking about going to the movies. But I remember her liking her soap operas after she walked home from the dry cleaning business where she worked for many years.
Tomi Fay Forbes says
Fast forward to the 1970s. I grew up in Pennsylvania where we had – and still have – Boscov’s Department Store. There was one a few blocks from my college campus, so I could easily walk or ride my bike over. At one point you could “Boscov” several days a week, and after a few weeks earn yourself a free set of dishes. I “earned” (without spending a penny) my first set of dishes – pink with strawberries. They are long gone, but I smile recalling them. And – I still love Boscov’s! We live in Wisconsin now, but once a year we are back in Pennsylvania to visit family and I always find something great at Boscov’s.
Margaret says
Always the teacher! I love how you share your whole thought process (including frustrations) … you never know what bits of knowledge will be retained by your readers to pull out on a yet unknown project.
Ellen Lewellen says
I have that same cookbook, now with a broken spine held together with tape, a 1950 edition inherited from family. It has color pictures on the first 2 pages with the Betty Crocker test kitchens, including the “Kitchen of Tomorrow”. That’s followed by pages of “how to” directions for everything from measuring different foods to how to set a table and how to serve appetizers. Gooseliver bonbons! Savory Dill Franks! We do use some of the recipes, but thank goodness for more modern appliances and cooking methods. I couldn’t find it now, but somewhere I remember seeing the advice to a 1950s housewife to be sure and put on a pretty dress and fresh lipstick before her husband got home for dinner😅
Mary T says
I love all the comments you have received on your post. This quilt is one of the best I have seen because there is so much love and history attached to it
Thank you for sharing with all of us and may God always be at your side
Doris Ast says
What a great quilt to make for your parents-there is so much love sewn into that quilt. I seem to remember that we got a glass in a box of Dreft (laundry detergent.