QUILT HISTORY STORIES
ELGIN, ILLINOIS
Collingbourne Mills and Virginia Snow Studios Story
Book 1 and Book 2
Susan Wildemuth, Atkinson, IL
Lists
Needlecraft
Women’s Magazine Ads 1910-1940
(Classified Section)
Collingbourne Mills and Virginia Snow Studios
Quilt Historian Shirley McElderry of Ottumwa, Iowa utilizes ads in vintage women’s magazines to track the evolution of quilt, textile, and art-hobby needlework companies. It is because of her research in this area that I am able to share the information found below with you. Information Courtesy of Shirley McElderry. (149)
Needlecraft
1916 April
“Big new book: Virginia Snow – Authority on Fine Arts. 10 cents.” Page 16
1916 June
“Big new book Virginia Snow – Authority on Fine Arts. 10 cents.” Page 16
1916 July
“Big new book Virginia Snow – Authority on Fine Arts. 10 cents.” Page 23
1916 August
“Collingbourne’s Edgings and Insertions; a Legacy of Old Laces.” Page 18
1916 September
“Collingbourne’s Baby Book” (Crochet patterns for babies).”
Page 24
1916 October
“Collingbourne’s Baby Book” (Crochet patterns for babies).”
Page 20
1917 November
“20 New Designs in Cross-Stitch.” Animals and Birds on cover; “Ann Orrish” in design.” Page 22
1917 December
“20 New Designs in Cross-Stitch.” Animals and Birds on cover; “Ann Orrish” in design.” Page 16
1918 January
“20 New Designs in Cross-Stitch.” Animals and Birds on cover; “Ann Orrish” in design.” Page 15
1918 February
“20 New Designs in Cross-Stitch.” Animals and Birds on cover; “Ann Orrish” in design.” Page 14
Long Dry Spell in Needlecraft
1923 March
“Collingbourne’s Sweater Book to introduce Collingbourne’s latest product; ‘Artificial Silk.’” (Thread wound on tube.)” Page 32
1923 April
“Collingbourne’s Sweater Book to introduce Collingbourne’s latest product; ‘Artificial Silk.’” (Thread wound on tube.)” Page 35
1926 August
“Needleworkers; Earn Money at home in your spare time; you do the work; we do the selling; send 15 cent in stamps for sampler and instructions, so we can see kind of work you do. If work is accepted, we put you on our list of regular workers.” Page 25
1926 October
“Embroidered doily; Collingbourne’s Boil-Proof 6-strand Artificial Silk Embroidery Floss.” Page 28
“Needleworkers wanted” ad.” Page 35
1927 February
“Radio scarf; Collingbourne’s thread and also hot-dish holder.” Page 28
1927 March
“Sash curtains to embroider.” Page 28
1927 April
“Tea apron and “The New Spring Needle Book.” Page 14
“The new fad—embroidered quilts; stamped quilt blocks and Collingbourne’s floss.” Page 20
“Collingbourne’s Rayon Rope Thread.” Page 27
“Luncheon set – Rayon Rope and Floss (blanket is rayon).” Page 32
1928 February
“Sampler book of cross-stitch designs.” Page 32
“Buffet set; using Dexter floss.” Page 37
“Hot dish holder made with Collingbourne’s Thread.” Page 43
1928 March
“The new fad; embroidered quilts; stamped blocks (looks like a wild rose pattern) and Collingbourne’s artificial silk floss.” Page 22
1928 April
“Carol Rose shoulder bouquet made of rayon rope.” Page 16
“Dexter Silks, Best in 1820 and the Best Today” and “Collingbourne’s Yoke Book.” Page 36
1928 September
“Quilt Block Offer; different stamped blocks, Collingbourne’s thread.” Page 35
“Mother Goose crib quilt stamped blocks.” Page 36
“Luncheon set; Dexter floss.” Page 36
1928 October
“Dexter Silks, Best in 1820 and the Best Today” and “Collingbourne’s Yoke Book.” Page 34
“Mother Goose crib quilt stamped blocks.” Page 36
“Luncheon set; Dexter floss.” Page 38
1928 November
“Restwell Pillowcases” and Collingbourne’s Floss” Page 33
1928 December
“Breakfast set and Collingbourne’s artificial silk thread.” Page 28
“Mother Goose quilt blocks, 24 of them, stamped on “White Art-Tex” and Collingbourne’s floss, all for 98 cents.” Page 31
“Quilted pillow kit; using “Dexter Quilting Embroidery Twist in Boil-Proof Rayon.” Page 33
1929 February
“Big new Needlework book; ‘Latest Creations in Needlework’ 40 pages; 9 x 12 inches.” Page 45
1929 March
“Big new Needlework book; ‘Latest Creations in Needlework’ 40 pages; 9 x 12 inches.” Also “Rug Book.” Page 18
1931 August
“Crochet book given to acquaint every needleworker with the superior quality of Dexter Yarns; best since 1820. Copy of Virginia Snow’s Crochet Book (However, the book is shown and it has “Collingbourne’s” on the cover.) “Send 10 cents for one ball of Dexter Crochet cotton and get the new Crochet book free. Dexter Lustrous Crochet Cotton.” Page 18
“Dexter Darning Floss; a 10 yard quill free to introduce Mercerisin, a marvelous new German washing discovery which restores the original form, color, form and feel to lingerie, etc., this is from Tex-Tonic laboratories in Elgin, Il.” Page 19
Hooked rug design on canvas for 10 cents, use Dexter Yarns.” Page 25
1931 October
“Hooked rug ad.” Page 31
1931 November
“Hooked rug ad.” Page 26
“Free quilt blocks, 9 x 9 inch stamped to promote Collingbourne’s 6-strand floss.” Page 30
1932 February
“Virginia Snow’s new book, 16 pages of hooked rugs and instructions.” Also “Rug Book.” Page 22
“Free quilt block 12 x 12 inches given with free order of Grandma Dexter’s new book; latest applique and patchwork quilt designs.” Page 28
1932 March
“Rug Book ad” Page 18
“Afghan Instruction Book.” Page 24
“Free quilt block 12 x 12 inches given with free order of Grandma Dexter’s new book; latest applique and patchwork quilt designs.” Page 29
1932 April
“Silk patches free, about ½ yard, to every woman sending 10 cents for Grandma Dexter’s new 16 page book of latest Applique and Patchwork Designs.” (Cover of bed in center of cover; round rag rug at foot.) Page 25
1932 May
“Silk patches free, about ½ yard, to every woman sending 10 cents for Grandma Dexter’s new 16 page book of latest Applique and Patchwork Designs.” (Cover of bed in center of cover; round rag rug at foot.) Page 23
1932 June
“Silk patches free, about ½ yard, to every woman sending 10 cents for Grandma Dexter’s new 16 page book of latest Applique and Patchwork Designs.” (Cover of bed in center of cover; round rag rug at foot.) Page 16
1932 September
“Smart Sweater Book, 10 cents.” Page 22
“Grandma Dexter Applique and Patchwork Book 10 cents.” (Cover shows bed slanting to right and rug on left.) Page 25
1932 October
“Virginia Snow’s New Art Needlecraft Work Creation Book” (Looks like Grandma Dexter’s Quilt Book) Page 18
“Afghan Book (Dexter Yarns)“ Page 20
“Hooked Rugs Book.” Page 22
(Shows right book in this ad; “Smart Sweaters’ Virginia Snow and Dexter Yarn.” Page 29
1932 November
“Free quilt block; with the order of Grandma Dexter’s New Book.” Page 22
1932 December
“Powder Puff or Yo-Yo pillow; fibre board patterns and pieces.” Page 23
1933 February
“Yo-Yo ad.” Page 33
1933 March
“Yo-Yo ad.” Page 22
1933 September
“Hookwork outfit free, using Collingbourne’s Rug-Tex yarn.” Page 23
“List of Needlework’s Library at 10 Cents each:
#35 Hooked Rugs
#36B Quilt Block Book
#37 Rag and Yarn Book
#38 Afghans
#39 Sweater Book
#40 Bedspread Book” Page 25
“Quilting hoops, 22 inch, all metal and 19 free quilting patterns, and Grandma Dexter’s Quilting Twist cotton thread.” Page 25
1933 October
“Virgina Snow Quilting Designs Book, 24 page book with leaves that open up double to race; Book #41.”
1933 November
“Grandma Dexter’s Quilt Books in colors; new edition (star quilt on bed) 24 pages of World’s Fair, Sunflower patterns, etc.” Page 29
1933 December
“Grandma Dexter’s Quilt Books in colors; new edition (star quilt on bed) 24 pages of World’s Fair, Sunflower patterns, etc.” Page 15
“Bedspread Book free; with Grandma Dexter’s Crochet book #40, with Dexter Yarns.” Page 23
1934 February
”Dutch Boy string holders with Collingbourne’s rayon floss.” Page 20
“Quilt Book.” Page 25
“Quilting hoops.” Page 29
“Hooked rug outfit with Collingbourne’s Rug-Text yarn.” Page 31
“Quilt Design books.” Page 32
1934 October
“Book “Handicarft Apparel’ by Virginia Snow; 24 pages.” Page 17
1935 May
“Renaissance Collar” pattern and Dexter Mercerized Fagoting Twist.” Page 22
1935 October
“Book of Knitting and Crochet with Virginia Snow Boucle yarn.” Page 19
1936 February
“Knitting books at 10 cents each or 3 for 25 cents.
#45 Boucle-Wearing Apparel
#47 Style Creations
#48 Dexter Fashions in Yarn” Page 28
“Virginia Snow’s New Book of Fingercraft free; Book #49 Crocheted Edgings and Insertions.” Page 32
1936 March
“Collingbourne’s Rug-Text yarn, and hooked rug outfit.” Page 16
“Rayon Embroidery Floss; no brand name given.” Page 22
1936 April
“Fingercraft book and Dexter, Collingbourne’s or Virginia Snow crochet cottons.” Page 17
1936 October
“Quilt book in colors; 10 cents, 24 pages, (cover shows bed slanting to left with 9-block star design quilt on bed).” Page 17
“Hooked rug outfit.” Page 32
1936 November
“Candlewick design; with Dexter Candlewick Yarn.” Page 27
1936 December
“Collingbourne’s Rug-Tex yarn, and hooked rug outfit.” Page 29
1937 February
“Quilt book in colors; 10 cents, 24 pages, (cover shows bed slanting to left with 9-block star design quilt on bed).” Page 12
“Fingercraft book and stamped goods.” Page 21
1937 March
“Stamped Goods.” Page 27
“Quilt Book.” Page 31
1937 November
“Quilt book in colors; New Edition; 93 quilt blocks and 24 pages. (The cover same as October 1936).” Page 17
“New Candlewick Book; with Dexter’s Candlewick tufting yarn.” Page 23
1938 February
“Quilt Book” Page 25
“Candlewick Book.” Page 28
1938 March
“Candlewick Book.” Page 21
“Quilt Book.” Page 26
1938 April
“Quilt Book.” Page 31
