1930s Bedding

Fabrics

• The wealth and culture of the 1920s introduced new and innovative fabric styles. Light pastels became popular as well as bright colors and elegant, intricate floral patterns. These styles of fabrics appeared in quilts made in the 1930s, when leftover clothing and scrap material were crafted into artful patterns of color and print. 1930s-inspired bedding or home decorating themes typically feature delicate floral patterns and complementary pastel colors.

Mattresses

• The comfort and quality of bedding varied greatly between families. While many found themselves homeless and transient with a roll-up sleeping pad, others still slept in spacious factory mattresses on bed frames. Factory-made mattresses were cotton filled, as internal springs had yet to be introduced. Many families made their own mattresses from straw, fabric scraps and clothing, or leftover cotton if the family owned a cotton crop. "Feather beds" were feather-stuffed blankets, like comforters, used either for sleeping on or for keeping warm.

Quilts

• A perfect example of the resourcefulness of the era, quilts were created from fabric scraps as well as outgrown clothing. The 1920s started a quilting revival, as people took interest in antique, Victorian-era intricate quilting styles. This carried into the Great Depression era, when women created quilts as a necessary means to keep their families warm, as well as providing a creative outlet in a time of limited resources. Quilting patterns were frequently featured in newspapers and magazines during this time.

Cultural Significance

• Quilts are one of the long-standing cultural traditions from the 1930s. Women gathered in groups in each other's homes to work collectively on large quilts. Mothers taught their daughters the skills to create beautiful items for their homes during difficult times, fostering a heritage process to be passed down through generations. Today, antique quilts from the 1930s are valued for their beauty and as treasured historical family items.