The Prodigal Quilt or Home where it belongs

 

During the time we owned this quilt, we tried to sell it many times.  However, there was never any interest.  Thus, it remained confined to a closet, out of the sunlight and harms-way.  As the article notes, we got the bright idea from an episode of American Pickers to research the quilt and try to return it.  With the help of some sketchy information from the former owner's widow and the Internet we were able to place it in or near the community of Dumas, Arkansas. Karen made a couple of telephone inquiries and spoke with Peggy Chapman, Director of the Desha County Museum, which is located in Dumas.  Peggy expressed an interest in obtaining the quilt and further researching the names embroidered on it.  So, we packaged it up and mailed it home to Arkansas.  It is on display at the Desha County Museum. 

In October 2022, during a visit to Dumas, we were given the opportunity to meet Ollie Carter (pictured above).  She is one of the folks who participated in the creation of the quilt back in 1936.  She had some memory of the quilt but could not provide much in the way of specifics.  Although she has since passed away, her name is forever present on this beautifully preserved artifact.

Have Quilt, Will Travel

 On January 4, 2025, we received an e-mail from a woman who came across one of our quilted treasures at a thrift store in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She related the following:

"I wanted to reach out and let you know I found this beauty today at a thrift store in Santa Fe, NM. 

It is absolutely beautiful, and I’ll forever cherish it.  I feel like I hit the lottery today with this amazing little quilt.

Thank you so much."

As you can imagine, her message was a very big, and flattering surprise!

Fortunately, our business card was still attached to the quilt.  The new owner took the time and made the effort to let us know she acquired one of our lap quilts.  As you can see, she got a real bargain on the purchase of this quilt at $10.49.  In retrospect, this little traveling quilt made someone very happy and infused a few dollars into a thrift store.

As for us, it only left questions.  Who originally bought it?  How did it end up in Santa Fe, NM?  Oh well, I guess we will never know.