Some people make quilts. Others collect them. Carol has spent more than 30 years helping preserve their history as one of the region’s few certified quilt appraisers.
After taking two family quilts to Carol for appraisal, I became curious about how someone finds such a unique profession. Her story is one of lifelong learning, patience, and a genuine love of both quilts and the people who bring them through her door.
A Hobby That Became a Calling
Carol grew up surrounded by quilts. Her grandmother and mother both quilted, and although she made a few herself, she never imagined it would become her life’s work.
After moving to Manhattan while her husband joined the faculty at Kansas State University, she began looking for something meaningful to pursue. A friend suggested she take appraisal classes through the American Quilter’s Society (AQS). That suggestion changed everything.
The certification process wasn’t easy. Carol attended classes in Paducah, Kentucky, studied quilt history, construction, dating, and appraisal methods, and spent years gaining hands-on experience before she felt ready to take the certification exam.
“I took the classes three times,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t think I was ready. Finally, one of my mentors told me, ‘Carol, you’re ready.’”
She became an AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser in 1995.
Every Quilt Has Its Own Story
One of Carol’s favorite parts of the job isn’t just examining quilts—it’s meeting the people who own them. “I like meeting all the different people who bring in their quilts,” she said. “And I enjoy seeing all the unimaginable ways people make quilts.”
She explains that no two quilts are ever exactly alike. Even when two people use the same pattern, each quilt reflects the maker’s creativity, skill, and personal history. Because of that, certified appraisers always examine quilts in person rather than relying on photographs.
The Most Difficult Conversations
Carol says the hardest part of her work is telling someone that a treasured family quilt has great sentimental value but little monetary value. “The sentimental value is real,” she said. “But an appraisal has to be based on facts and the current market.”
Professional appraisals rely on research, comparable sales, condition, craftsmanship, and rarity—not family history. Fortunately, there are also happy surprises when a quilt turns out to be worth far more than its owner expected.
A Rare Resource for Our Area
For many years, Carol was the only AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser in Kansas and remains one of the few serving the Kansas City region. She also spent 15 years helping certify future quilt appraisers before retiring from that role.
Her dedication has made her a trusted resource for quilt owners seeking insurance appraisals, estate planning, or simply a better understanding of a cherished family heirloom.
More Than an Appraisal
What struck me most wasn’t Carol’s impressive credentials. It was the care she brings to every quilt and every conversation. She understands that quilts are often far more than blankets. They carry family stories, celebrate milestones, preserve artistry, and connect generations.
Meeting people like Carol reminds me that our communities are filled with individuals quietly preserving history in remarkable ways. Thanks to her knowledge and passion, countless quilt stories—and the people behind them—will continue to be appreciated for generations to come.