For generations, quilts have both preserved history and furthered artistic innovation, leading to personal and creative discoveries that have changed lives. In Quilts in the Attic, author and quiltmaker Karen Musgrave presents 30 stories of great quilt discoveries, including hidden masterpieces, fascinating finds, and treasured family heirlooms. The tales in this book are both heartwarming and thrilling, whether about unearthing breathtaking pieces at summer flea markets or finding Grandma’s priceless antique quilt hidden away in a box. By sharing stories from all over the world, Musgrave uses these wonderful works of art to explore the complex patchwork of human history, from 19th-century Jewish life in Southern California to the Sears National Quilt Contest at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, to a 12th-century castle in France. Each memory embodies the inherent human drive to craft something of purpose and meaning while shedding light on the works of well-known quiltmakers like Mary Lee Bendolph from Gee’s Bend, Marie Webster, and Ruby Short McKim. Featuring stories from unknown and famous quilters alike, Quilts in the Attic uncovers the mystery and significance of the quilts we love.
