For hundreds of years, while wars were being fought around the world, women on the home front were tasked with the unpaid production of sewing and knitting to clothe, warm and care for soldiers, prisoners of war, civilians, and refugees affected by war. Women also raised funds for the war effort and for textile production supplies through auctioning or raffling quilts.
This website explores the voluntary textile production of civilian Canadian women on the home front in both WW1 and WW2, with particular attention to the production of quilts. Because a number of quilts from both world wars survive, these rare artifacts provide us with a window into the broader textile production and other unpaid labour by women in wartime. Two scholars, Joanna Dermenjian and Heather Smith, share their research and projects to bring attention to this subject, gather extant records and primary sources, record surviving quilts and inspire further research and exhibitions.
WW1 autograph quilt, made by the Abigail Becker Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Port Rowan, Ontario, in 1917, as a fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross. Raffled to make more money for the War and won by someone from the nearby town of Port Dover, Ontario. Recovered from an attic in Vittoria, Ontario in the 1990’s. Private Collection.
WW2 Victory autograph quilt, made by The Ladies Guild of St. David’s Church, London, Ontario, c.1942. Found near Oxford, England in 2022 and repatriated to Canada. Private Collection.
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Modern Quilts Made Across International Borders
In the late 1970’s, expert traditional quilt makers from Kingston, Ontario, Canada received commissions to execute modern quilts designed by Los Angeles artists. Where are these quilts now?
New Brunswick Division – Canadian Red Cross
“This record is indeed a tribute to the women of New Brunswick, who…ensured the continued flow of supplies, which are so sorely needed…”
Australian Quilt-making in Wartime
Quilts for the war effort were being made in Australia during WW2. Besides prolific knitting for the military, Australian women were also sewing.
Banner image: West Arran Helpers c.1942, West Arran Township, Ontario – Private Collection – used with permission.