The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them

by Laurie Aaron Hird

Featuring real-life letters from The Farmer's Wife magazine, Laurie Aaron Hird's new book commemorates the strength and hope of the farm women of the Great Depression. The 99-block queen-size sampler quilt inspired by these letters uses reproduction 1930s fabrics. For each block, instructions are provided for template piecing, and--where applicable--rotary cutting, so readers can piece the blocks based on their preferred technique.

Genres: Quilting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Sewing, History, Reference, Womens

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2015

Reviews

[Kim Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the title, you do not have to be a quilter to enjoy this book. Yes, there are quilt block patterns to make an entire quilt, and a cd to help you along the way. But the highlight of this book are the letters. Letters written by women in the 1930s. The time of America’s Great Depression. A difficult time, with business closings and unemployment and drought and soup kitchens. But I think every single letter caused me to smile because these women only speak of the positive things in their lives. Very inspiring.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to make even a cut or a stitch towards making any of these quilt blocks. I give five stars to the author for reprinting these fascinating letters-to-the-editor, and doing so in a visually lovely way by pairing them with quilt block patterns.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I waited years to read this one and am thoroughly disappointed. The Farmer's Wife 1930s sampler quilt doesn't know what it wants to be - a sampler quilt? historic record of the depression? letters from the home front? Hird's book though beautifully designed and printed and complete with a CD of patterns is none and all of these. The quilt blocks that "honor" the women are more oft than not mysteriously named and don't reference the commonly known name of the block. So it's a sampler of some mix of nicely constructed blocks. The letters have no reference to quilts or quilting so the pairing is a complete puzzle. The letters are not presented in an organized fashion when we know that historically, the Great Depression deepened over time and affected some areas of the country more drastically than others. If they'd have been presented by date, one could feel the increasing depth of the depression in rural environments. If they'd have been organized or at least indexed by state then one could feel the utter disaster of the Midwestern heart of the drought. Instead an October 1930 Washington State letter illustrated by a block called Addie is next to an October 1934 Nebraska letter illustrated by a block named Em. It just makes no sense. The sampler quilt is pretty though, all done with feed sack reproduction fabrics and the CD is a nice bonus.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring read! Besides the cool quilt blocks with nifty designs and pretty colors, the stories by themselves makes it a nice book to own. It's uplifting reading how these women in the middle of the Great Depression kept their chins up and remained faithful and hopeful of better things to come. Some of these letters start off a bit depressing- I live in a shack with unpainted wood that needs repair, I have no curtains to put on my window, I have to haul water 200 yards from the river, etc and yet, they write, I have all this beauty around me- beautiful sunrises and sunsets, flowers, etc. Despite some of their unfortunate circumstances, they are happy and can find things to be grateful for. An enjoyable read- nice for a devotional too.
PS One of the reviewers doubted the authenticity of the letters and I can assure everyone the letters in the book are exactly as written from the magazine. I have a August 1937 Farmer's Wife magazine and one of the letters to the editor is in the book- word for word to include the signature. Reading the other letters to the editor in that magazine you can see that the book author did not pick and choose only the inspiring ones. All the letters to the editor have a hopeful, uplifting tone- some letters more so than others.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quilt blocks were lovely, but the letters that accompanied the quilt-blocks were the highlight of this book for me. Some were whimsical, somewhere spiritual, some were very religious, a couple were heart-rending, but all gave me a glimpse of a woman's world during the Great Depression. All held a thread of hope for better times, even as some of the letters discussed heart-break and frustrations.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From The Farmer’s Wife magazine are letters sent in by farm women in the 1930’s. The letters are of gratitude and inspiration. Not only are there letters, there are instructions and a CD to sew quilt blocks. Add pictures of the sewn blocks with 1930 fabrics. My heart, so much to learn from the Great Depression.
A fun read even if you don’t sew.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the real letters written by farm women during the Great Depression, not the quilt pattern. I was so encouraged and impressed by the wisdom and positivity they shared, and how relevant their advice and experience was almost a hundred years later!

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters to the editor from 1930 to 1939. Interesting to read letters from that time period. Also comes with 99 quilt blocks if you want to make a sampler quilt after reading!

[Megan DeMass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually loved the letters this included with each quilt block design. So sweet and wholesome! (Also apparently I’m in my grandma hobby era but I’m loving it)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of quilt block patterns from the 1930's accompanied by letters written to The Farmer's Wife magazine by women of that era. I really like some of the blocks in this book. They seem pretty complex since I'm a beginning quilter but it gives me something to aspire to. I only had time to read a few of the letters before I had to return it to the library, I'd like to have a chance to read it more. Comes with a CD that has cutting templates for all the blocks.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring read! The 1930's were grim for many people, but the submission guidelines for this magazine stated that the letters to the editor had to have a positive spirit. All these women focused on the blessings in their lives, no matter how bleak they may have been. A great, uplifting message for people today.

The quilt squares are beautiful, and the accompanying CD with templates and instructions for assembling one of your own is a bonus.

[Jonele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This does give directions for quilt blocks to make a sampler quilt, but each block is accompanied by a letter to the editor of The Farmer's Wife. It was interesting to see the similarities of women's experiences from the 1930's and now. How they struggled with some of the same issues, shared sorrows and joys. And you get a beautiful quilt to boot!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed not only the quilt blocks, but true life letters from farm wives trying to get through the Great Depression.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for the quilt block patterns but the letters were the real highlight of it. .During the 1930, the Farmer's Wife magazine was published. Letters came from all over the country from women who were struggling and surviving during hard times. Some of these anonymous letters are published in this book and are touching, uplifting, inspiring and a little heartbreaking and each has a quilt block assigned to it. I really loved reading about the joys of living on a farm during the depression and the strength of the women who endured the times.

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this book at the library and was interested in the letters in the first half, written by farm wives during the great depression. Nearly a century later, I found that the wisdom and mothering experiences still hold true and gave me a lot of gentle pause for thought. We raise our children now with different circumstances. In comparison the dirty 30's seem simpler in a lot of ways! I really enjoyed it. It was very heartwarming and an illuminating reminder that often, less is more.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a few months to work on the 99 blocks that are included in this (a disk has all the templates included), but to read stories of women who went through The Depression and how they fared as farmer's wives, was really special to go along with each of the blocks. Each story sometimes take up two pages and are real stories that were sent into an old magazine called Farmer's Wife. I so enjoyed this book! Now to put together the blocks and finish this quilt at long last!

[Lkking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you are into 1930s material and/or design. Comes with a CD of printable templates and instructions for each block. Also well worth browsing for design, color and pattern. The letters from the 1930s farm women are mostly look on the bright side during the depression letters but are definitely a slice of rural life and times.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comes with a CD for the templates.

Unfortunately, most computers don't come with CD drives anymore, rendering this useless if you actually want to make the quilt blocks. It would be nice to have a code to go online to just print them without needing a CD drive.

The stories are lovely though and that's the only thing saving this from being 2 stars.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading the letters from the farm wives of the 1930's. Growing up on a farm I could just picture what they were telling. It sounded like my grandmas and great aunts, sitting around having coffee. Can't wait to start the quilt!! Now, do I keep it or give it to my mom . . . or make 2?!?!?!

[gathering feather organiceden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quilt blocks in this book are beautiful But I just loved reading the letters! It is marvellous to read how women coped with their lives in the 30’s. Such frank openness and determination!
Well worth a read:)

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful quilt blocks with details on how to put them together, matched with thoughtful, touching letters from the wives of 1930's farmers. I read a few each night and really enjoyed it. I very well may purchase this book someday for quilt block ideas.

[RMEYFE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the patterns in the book but really don't like the format with all the "letters to the editor". In a quilting book, I'd rather just have more information on making the blocks.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to be as moved by some of the letters as I was. It was a very good read for me at this time, and I'm very excited to try the patterns some time soon!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a glimpse into the lives of women during a time when life was tough and getting by a lesson in ingenuity.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books in the series. Please keep making them!!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have used three of Laurie's books and this one by far has been the easiest to use. I do not care for the colors but they do follow the 1930s theme.

[Lottie Essig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody, especially a quilter, interested in 1930's American home life will like this book. The patterns (and images of vintage fabrics) are a bonus.

[Maddy Barone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't made any quilt squares yet, but I read through each letter. I was struck both by how things have changed, and at the same time, things are still the same.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

99 blocks to inspire.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of great old standard blocks. You need the CD to make them in different sizes.