Karen Combs has experienced the theft of numerous quilts and samples. Sometime between midnight and 6 AM on March 16, 2012, her rental car’s driver side window was broken and her teaching suitcase was stolen. The car was parked at a hotel located at 750 IH 35 North in New Braunfels, Texas. The police were called and they stated the break-in looked like the work of a professional. It was likely a “smash and grab” with the thief not knowing what was in the suitcase.
The black suitcase contained quilts for her Patchwork Illusions class, along with teaching supplies and demo items. It was in the back of an SUV. The quilts are original designs. They are labeled with Karen’s name and address. The labels are sewn on the back, and could easily be removed.
-
- Cubed
-
- Stacked and Wrapped
-
- Patchwork Illusion quilt blocks
-
- Ribbon Cube
-
- Light Crystal
-
- Dark Crystal
-
- Trio
-
- Rainbow Cube
-
- Duo
Karen wrote in her March 18 blog entry, “It is something every traveling quilt teacher fears, her quilts will be stolen or lost. Unfortunately, it has happened to me. I’m heartbroken. . . please share the images and story below. I hope they will be found.”
She also writes, “If you live in New Braunfels or anywhere in Texas, please check local yard sales, flea markets and pawn shops for the quilts. Everyone, please forward this blog posting to every quilter and quilt shop you know and ask them to forward it to everyone they know.”
You can read more about these stolen quilts on Karen Combs’ blog, karencombs.wordpress.com/.
If you have any information about this theft, please contact Karen karen@karencombs.com.
I am so sorry to hear about Karen’s quilts. My mom and I recently went to Texas and she brought 4 of her favorite quilts along to show her sisters. It was my intention to take the quilts into the hotel room, which we did when we were going to our destination. On the way home, we were so tired by the time we stopped that I forgot about taking Mom’s quilts into the hotel room. I was already in bed when I remembered them. She graciously told me not to worry about them, but I could not bear to think they might be stolen. I got out of bed, threw a shirt over my pajamas, grabbed my keys and my pepper spray and made my way out to the car. I quickly grabbed the quilts and breathed a sigh of relief when I was back in the room. We, as quilters, need to guard our treasures………..no matter what it takes to make them safe. We can no longer trust our trunk locks and car alarms to guard something so precious to us. M
Karen so sorry to hear of you loss. my prayers and thoughts are with you that some day they may be returned to you
God Bless Lillian
So terribly sorry for the theft of your beautiful, unique artwork.
This is so sad and I am so sorry that this happened in my town. I have posted it on facebook for all my local friends to their eyes open wide. I am praying that they show up. Not everything is good in this world unfortunately :( I pray that you find them! I will post it on my neighborhood newsletter as well and get the word out there. God Bless Pamie G.