World War II and the Creation of Rosie The Riveter

The Great Depression Ended Once Japan Bombed Pearl Harbor

The American way of life was at risk, and what mattered now was winning the war. People had to become much more practical, less romantic. Women had to go to work. Who hasn’t heard of Rosie the Riveter?

This is the first time so many women worked outside of the home. They had to fill the bill for the male workforce that was no longer available.

The war united people in many ways, everyone pitched in. America had been threatened on her own soil – unprovoked! Everything was rationed; rubber, metal, tin, food, gasoline, sugar, salt, glass. Everything was sent to the war effort.

Do You Know Who Your Civil Defense Person Is?

Each neighborhood area had a Civil Defense person. This person would tell them where to go in an air raid. Show them how to darken their windows so not a peep of light would escape.

Patriotic quilts were the popular theme of the day. Everyone wanted to show their support for our country. Magazines would offer free quilting motifs and designs for star quilts, airplanes and V for Victory. Some batting companies offered free quilting motifs of eagles for the Army and Navy aviation.

At this time, there were some who quilted and some who didn’t. But you did see mini star quilts hanging in the windows

signifying that someone in household was serving in the war. You never wanted to see one of these mini star quilts with a gold star signified – the gold star signified that a soldier had lost his life.

Even after the economy recovered and the war ended, you didn’t see a revival of quilting. It was considered something that the “poor” people did, because they couldn’t afford modern bed coverings. Modern brides turned up their noses at the home made items and preferred store bought bedding.

This lack of interest was probably attributed to women (thank Rosie the Riveter) having less time at home creating items for their homes since they now have joined the work force. I sometimes wonder if Rosie the Riveter did us a favor...or not. Especially now that I am older and want a simpler life!

Quilting remained a lost art until 1971.

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