My mom-in-law had a quilt top among passed-down items tucked away in her home. When we helped her move to a smaller apartment, I asked her about it and she didn’t remember ever seeing it before. So I put it in a safe place and decided to try to solve the mystery someday. The time has come! The quilt has twelve muslin squares with embroidered names/designs and one square that says “HHC” (Happy Homemaker’s Club???) and the year 1927. First, I took a photo and checked with other family members to see if any of them recognized it or any of the names on it. Even though none of the names are relatives, I do have a lead as to a community where it may have originated so I’ll be starting there. My hope is that I can return it home, either to a quilt club or library, where it can be displayed—or the beautifully-embroidered squares can be detached and given to individual families–and, hopefully, find out the occasion for its creation, why the project was abandoned, and how it ended up where it did. Yes, I FINALLY get to carry out my fantasy of being Nancy Drew when I grow up! I’ll keep you posted! ♥
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PILLOWS A-LA-MODE 
How cool is that! I hope you find it’s original home. I love a good, old quilt with history.
Thank you, Brenda! It certainly is intriguing! 🙂
What a mystery. Do you hope you solve it. The embroidered squares are cute.
Thank you! I just love the embroidery and the way each woman added her name in such a unique style!
Yes, so unique. And you even had me googling to see if I could find a clue for you! But, alas, nothing came up with that date!
Wow . . . thank you for trying! 🙂
I love a mystery!
Facinating. I found myself reading every block searching for relatives and more clues. Keep us posted.
The squares reveal a lot about each woman’s personality, don’t they? 🙂
How wonderful to have such an heirloom and all that embroidery is lovely. I like a good mystery as well. Anxious to see if you find where it originated. Guess we will all be waiting.
Thank you! I’ll be sending off some emails this week . . . hoping for some news very soon! 🙂
What an interesting endeavor! Good luck!
Thank you, Virginia! 🙂
What a wonderful find, and it appears to be in good condition! I am looking forward to the full report from ‘Nancy’ when she completes her investigation! ~ Vickie
Thank you, Vickie! It’s a fun little adventure, that’s for sure! 🙂
Go Nancy Go! Best of luck to you…seems like you are just the person for the job!
Thank you! It has been on my “to-do” list for way too long! 🙂
Wow! That is fascinating! Hope you figure out its origin. 🙂
Thank you! And, of course, in the back of my mind I’m trying to weave a story plot from it, too! 🙂
Speculating about the quilt might make a fascinating story, at that! 🙂
That’s so exciting! An awesome quilt and a mystery all in one. Have fun, Nancy!
Thank you! 🙂
Exciting stuff! Look forward to hearing what you find out. 🙂
Thank you, Melanie! 🙂
“Anonymous” comment was me. Guess I didn’t sign in. Didn’t want to give you another mystery to solve. :). I wonder if Fannie Martin and Helen Martin are sisters or somehow related?
That’s what I thought, Anny . . . or maybe sisters-in-law? There are two other ladies with the same last name as well–Bertha Ringer and Nettie Ringer. Some of the names took a little deciphering because of the style/placement of the letters. But I love them all! 🙂
I think it’s great that you’re going to try to solve this mystery. Good luck!!!!
Thank you! I hope to make someone somewhere very happy with this lovely quilt! 🙂
What a great mystery! I hope you can find the clues to solve it! By the way, I am taking your Dirt Cake to a church potluck today. I bet none of it comes back home with me. 🙂
Thank you, Laura! And let me know about the Dirt Cake . . . hopefully you’ll at least get a teensy bite! 🙂
Thank you Katherine! Dirt Cake is a keeper recipe! It was a big hit and none of it came home.
🙂
maybe hhc stands for something happy handy crafts
I think it’s some kind of club name, too! Hopefully, we’ll find out! 🙂
yes I hope you do …
What a cool mystery to have! Good luck solving it. 🙂
Thank you, Rene! 🙂
Hi I’m relatively new to your BLog and had not posted before today.
What a precious gift this would be to an individual, local guild, church or quilt group. Even more to their descendants of some of the individuals listed. Please be sure when you do pass it on that the individual plans to keep it in tact and, if they complete and quilt of have it quilted they will do it in such a way as to not diminish it’s value. Some vintage quilt tops are more valuable if they are NOT, finished as they can make a valuable “tool” to study. A museum, with a textile collection, may also be interested.
I am a member of Prairie Quilt Guild in Kansas. I would suggest you contact your State Extension service, some of the churches in you area who may have quilt group in them and asked if anyone recognizes any of the names. FYI – in case you are not familiar with them The State extension service is associated with a State college. Such as in Kansas the Extension Service in various parts of the state are a part of Kansas University, in Lawrence KS.
I wish you luck and
Linda, it’s so kind of you to send me all these tips! I grew up doing 4-H in Kansas, so I’ve spent a lot of time with amazing extension service ladies. 🙂 (I thought they were affiliated with K-State instead of KU, but I’ll double-check!) I hadn’t thought of using the State Extension as a resource, though–brilliant! And I love the idea of checking with churches as well as quilt groups and libraries. Thank you!!! 🙂
I meant to suggest that the HHC could be similar to what we called Home Demonstration Unit, and at another time Home Extension Unit. They were made up of women form the community that usually met on a monthly basis to share information related to crafts, hobbies and home making. We could take free, or low cost, classes at the Extension Office and then take the “class” info back to our individual Units. That is oone reason I thought of suggesting you contact the state University.
I remember my mom going to one of these groups . . . and it’s still meeting today! 🙂 That’s a really good idea! Thanks again, Linda! 🙂
Hope to “hear” all about what you learn and what you eventually do with the Quilt.
Wow what a kewl story miss Nancy Drew!!! Success wishes
Thank you, Lisa! I’m on the trail! 🙂
Such painstakingly beautiful hand work, and so nice you are tracing its history. I can’t wait to hear how the story ends.
Thank you, Judy! I agree . . . each square is a treasure! 🙂
I’m excited to hear what you find out! what a neat thing to find!
Thank you, Jennie! 🙂 (P.S. I definitely wish I had your photography skills!) 🙂
How cool is that! Both the quilt itself and the mystery behind it! I love things that have a past that you can make your future.
What a lovely way to look at it . . . thank you! 🙂
What a treasure !! Good luck in solving this fascinating mystery 🙂
Thank you, Izabel! 🙂
The quilt is exquisite. Good luck with your quest. I hope you find success and the quilt’s story can be restored.
Thank you! I know I would be so excited to see my family member’s name on a quilt from *almost* a century ago! 🙂
Ah….Quilts ‘N Pillows A-La-Drew! I love it!
THAT made me laugh! 🙂 Thank you!!! 🙂
It’s just lovely and I would hate to think of it being disassembled. Do you think HHC is someone’s initials? That would seem appropriate. Thank you for sharing this! Cackie
That’s very possible! If so, it’s another clue! 🙂 And I understand your feelings about keeping it intact. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!
What a lovely quilt. I would like to meet the ladies who made it, particularly the one who made the bunny with balloons. Keep us up to date with your findings. 🙂
I will! And I really love that quilt square, too! 🙂
Can’t wait for an update! Love this stuff! How exciting!
Thank you! It may be as simple as getting an answer to the email I sent to a community library across the state today . . . or I may have to dig awhile . . . but SO worth it! 🙂
following your blog now! 🙂
Thank you, Geraldine . . . how lovely! 🙂
I’m excited to see what you find out!! Such an awesome adventure awaits.
Thank you, Christina! I do love mysteries! 🙂
I have to say I’m super jealous. Haha
What a great mystery for you to solve. Have you got the Hardy Boys ready to help you solve it .Happy sleuthing :).
I do . . . lots of Hardy Boys in my family! 🙂 Thank you, and I hope to have something to report soon! 🙂
Impressive. The quilt looks lovely and the history behind it must be interesting. I hope you do find out more about it.
Thank you, Simona! I would be so tickled to be able to put it in the hands of someone whose grandma made one of those squares! 🙂
Beautiful quilt top. Can’t wait to hear how all your detective work will end. Hopefully you will find out all the info that you are looking for to get that beautiful piece where it needs to be. Good luck.
Thank you, Ginny! I sent out my first email inquiry yesterday . . . fingers crossed!!! 🙂
Wow, Katherine that is sooo cool that you get to do some detective work. Good luck in finding a place for the lovely quilt. 🙂
Thank you, Tamara! I’ll bring so you can see it “in person” next time I see you! 🙂
Sounds great!
This is so awesome! I respect what you’re doing, I would probably want to finish it and keep it for myself!
🙂
I love this! I can’t wait to hear your updates! It’s a quilt genealogy hunt. Good luck!
Thank you, Erin! I’m on the trail! 🙂
That is so neat!
Thank you! I sent out my first inquiry this weekend . . . I hope it results in some leads! 🙂
I wish you luck…It really is neat! I love to hear stories like this…
Wow… what a fun mystery! Can’t wait to read the full story that you uncover. 🙂
Thank you, Danielle! Waiting (sort of) patiently for the reply from my first email inquiry! 🙂
Such a special thing to have, good luck with your sleuthing!
Thank you, Jen! 🙂
Lovely quilt Nancy Drew hmmmm…. Katherine! 🙂
good luck finding out where this quilt comes from 🙂
Thank you, dear Ingrid! 🙂
One of THE Finest! Blessings, Mtetar
Thank you! I have a lead now! More to come! 🙂
I love reading the old fashion names! Good luck in solving the mystery. No doubt there are family members who would cherish having a square.
I have a lead now! After a little more email correspondence, I hope to be able to send it off to it’s new but old home! 🙂
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