Folly Cove Designers
Folly Cove Designers
I’d never heard of the Folly Cove Designers until SeaSideStudio left a comment referencing them on one of my papercuts. Since then, I’ve done a bit of research, and thought I’d share it:
Folly Cove Designers was a guild of designer-craftspeople that operated for 30 years from 1938, based in Folly Cove, Massachusets. 
The founder and leader was an illustrator called Virginia Lee Burton, who taught amateur enthusiasts – mostly her neighbours at first – how to design and print. The group mostly concentrated on making decorative fabrics for their homes, and then started selling their prints during the summer months, with great success. 
Their popularity grew, and so did the demand for their work, and the Folly Cove Designers became quite famous. The image below is from a Time Life article published in June 1958, showing Virginia Lee Burton and other members meeting together. 
Although the group disbanded after Virginia Lee Burton (who became Demetrios after marriage) died in 1968, the Folly Cove fabrics can still be purchased from family members who have created Folly Cove Designers II, dedicated to perpetuating the group’s legacy. All images are from the Folly Cove Designers II website. I just chose the ones I really liked, but there are lots more, so check it out. 
And by the way, talking of beautiful block prints, have you checked out what that clever Jesse’s been doing lately? Do yourself a favour and click here.
orange you lucky!
Ooooh, thanks a ton for this interesting info. I’ve checked out the Folly Cove designers II and I love the block prints. I like the folk motif. Thanks H:)
zee
I love it all! Thanks Heather!
Rikkianne
Thank you so much for this!
That Queen Ann’s Lace is amazing!
Anonymous
She is the author of one of my favorite children’s books growing up, The Little House, as well as Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel. Thanks for filling in more of her life–she sounds fascinating. And how great is ‘Folly Cove’?
Jen
Mamagenerica
I’m a huge Virginia Lee Burton fan! Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel is still a great book for kids — I never knew it growing up but my girls have both loved it. “Steam shovel” was one of the little one’s first phrases. The illustrations are still engaging even after all this time — they have copies in the rondebosch kids’ library if you’re ever keen to browse 🙂
Erinn
That’s so interesting. Thanks for the info.
Anonymous
i too know Virginia Lee Burton as the writer and illustrator of the books already mentioned. What’s always impressed me about hem is the complete integration of text, layout and pictures. I think you would like them Heather!
Helen
thewren
What a fantastic find! I love the Queen Anne’s lace and the Pine design the best I think. Thanks for the link and inspiration – it is always great to find new things. Great post.
fine little day
Such yummu eyecandy!
Rebecca
I about fell out of my chair when you threw out Virgina Lee Burton so casually. My son loves Mike Mulligan and Katy the Snowplow. As PP mentioned, the way she integrated the illustrations with the text, always something new to see each time you read the book, makes her books our favs to read. Definitely going to check out Folly Cove II.
Rebecca U
seasidestudioma
Hey there. Nice article.
Wanted to let you know that the “Cape Ann Historical Association in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA has a wonderful book for sale on The Folly Cove Designers.
Jane @ http://www.SeasideStudio.esty.com
Kathy
Hi,My name is Kathy Clarke. My Grandmother was one of the designers.She is hardly visable behind Virginia's skirt. Sitting on the floor to the right. I have many photos of Aino Clarke(my grandmother)at her press. I donated her blocks to the Cape Ann Museum.Out of curiousity, do any of you know that there was one male designer, the group was not all women. Today I duplicated some of the photos and am about to send them off in the mail, to the museum. There are photos of the original barn, and some designers wearing there wares.Virginia was a guest at our home many times.We were quests at her home also.Virginia's husband,George did a bronze bust of my Grandmother.PS: She passed away in 1969, not 68. I am delighted that so many people are discovering their work.Best Wishes to All.Kathy
Patricia Adams
I went to an exhibit at the Cape Ann Museum on the Folly Cove designers a few years ago (it’s now near the end of 2024). I was fascinated by their work. I am particularly interested in these artisans because a lot of them are of Finnish heritage. My grandfather, Oscar Kivi (originally Kivinen) emigrated from Finland in the early part of the 20th Century. I live in Wellesley, Massachusetts and my brother lived for several years in Rockport, Massachusetts near Folly Cove. He also owned property for a time in Lanesville nearby. Before learning about the Folly Cove designers I didn’t know that there was a large Finnish population in the Gloucester/Rockport area. I noticed that your grandmother’s first name was Aino. I once visited my Great Aunt Aino in Petajavesi, Finland. Before I visited her I just had an address; she didn’t know I would be stopping by. Since her first name ended in “o” I thought that this was a masculine name and that I would be looking up my great uncle, not my great aunt. This was one of many surprises of this trip! I hope the Cape Ann Museum puts together another exhibition of the work of the Folly Cove designers; I would love to experience this again. I am also a fan of the Virginia Lee Burton children’s books. Congrats to your grandmother and the rest of the Folly Cove designers!
skinnylaminx
Thanks so much for leaving a comment on this post, Patricia. I’d written it so long ago (2008!!) that I’d completely forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder, and I’m so glad to hear of your connection, and interesting exhibition too.
All the best,
Heather