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.
The Power of the Printed Word
Just about this time last year, in early 2022, I had the opportunity to share my research on Jo...
Leftover Cuttings – Sourcing Materials for Wartime Charitable Production
In my investigation into the quilt-making by Canadian women during WW2, I am on the look-out for...
Quilting at the Canadian National Exhibition – Part 2
The Toronto Daily Star from Saturday, August 31, 1940, includes an article that headlines: “Rain...
Princess Elizabeth in wartime – Christmas 1940
Just now, I am in London, England, experiencing a very...
World’s Largest Quilting Bee?
PART 1 In Canada, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto is our nation's largest...
The Gift of the Label
After my recent interview with Karen Brown of ‘Just Get it Done Quilts’ (on YouTube - June 27) one...
Winona Circle Quilt – A WWII Quilt Comes Home
This article is published and beautifully illustrated in Canadian Quilter - Summer 2022 edition...
“Shoulder-To-The-Wheel”
On a recent wander into an antique mall, I found several issues of an old magazine called The...
Honouring the Women and Children who Volunteered
The Volunteers "Thousands of women and children volunteered during theSecond World War. They...
Maple Syrup for Britain
I learned a new fact that this month, as I was doing research in The Gananoque Reporter. I...









