Tailors Samples Canadian Red Cross Quilt, 1939-45 (wool)

This quilt is made from squares of suiting wool in plain, check or striped design, and it is thought that these are from a tailor’s sample book, as no pieces are exactly the same. Thousands of quilts were sent over from the Canadian Red Cross Society to Britain in the Second World War to aid the War relief. They were given to families that had been bombed out of their houses as well as members of the armed forces, hospitals and hostels. Quilts were made quickly and were often utilitarian in style, and the crazy block was one of the most popular styles as any size and colour of fabric scrap could be used. Each quilt had a small label sewn on which read 'Gift of the Candian Red Cross Society'.