My research into the unpaid production of supplies and comforts by Canadian women and children during the Second World War is ongoing. The purpose of this blog is to share some of the information I am finding as I delve deep into primary sources – from newspapers and periodicals of the day, to archives of the Federated Women’s Institutes and Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE), letters and scrapbooks, and to the quilts themselves. The information shared here is by no means comprehensive, and it is hard to conclude any hard facts about this operation, because so much of this story is still untold. So, as I uncover new information, the details of these posts may change. If you see anything posted here which may not be accurate or to which you could add more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Generations of Quilting – The Busy Bees of Brandon, Manitoba
I am working on an article about the Canadian 1960’s quilt revival. While researching primary...
Joan Ford’s Quilt
“My 100-year-old friend Joan died recently, and I am trying to sort her belongings. I have a quilt...
A Tiny Artifact – Threads of Connection
This post is written by me, with additional conversation provided by an IG follower, Deb...
Modern Quilts Made Across International Borders
When I first joined Kingston Heirloom Quilters in Kingston, Ontario, I was introduced to their...
New Brunswick Division – Canadian Red Cross
The text on the back of the photo above reads: CANADIAN RED CROSS, NEW BRUNSWICK DIVISION, Work...
Australian Quilt-making in Wartime
Last week, I received a lovely gift from Margaret in Australia (on IG @quiltsinkidsbooks),...
80 Years Later – Canadian Wartime Quilts Come Home
In the April 1987 issue of ‘Canada Quilts’, a letter to the editor was published from a British...
The Cowichan Sweater and WW2
In October, on CBC Gem (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's digital video streaming service), I...
Canadian Red Cross Quilts found in Germany
Joanna's note: This month, I have invited Monika Modersitzki as a guest blogger, to relay this...
A ‘Warsage’ and collecting War Savings Stamps
I made a discovery last year on Carrie Lord’s Instagram account called @homefronthistory. On March...