Bellaboo, can you share the name of the gadget and where you purchased it, please? And thank you.
Thanks jaciqltznok, for posting this. We all need to be on the lookout and diligent with our quilts.

My husband and I have traveled extensively throughout the US and had only one problem in Lexington, KY where thieves smashed our side window on our truck only to find absolutely nothing. We don't leave anything in our vehicle at a hotel no matter how much of a pain it is to load and unload. Thieves will try anything and take everything they can.

so sorry to hear that. what part of missouri are you from?

I think we envision the invaders to be young and wild. But in cases like these, you might be surprised at who the thieves really are. Just crazy world out there. I feel so bad for her, the feeling of violation isn't fun to deal with.

Sure need the pics so we can watch out for them. We will catch them if they try to sell them.

Last year my friend had her quilt stolen out of her car in her driveway! Some of you may remember me posting this. She was lucky & they returned hers in her clean garbage can. It was ok. This was in Norht Carolina. Spring knows about this one.

Hope they are as fortunatewith theirs. Good Luck!!!!

Excuse me for asking this question, but I just don't get it... why would anyone what to steal a quilt from someones car? What are they going to do with it?

When I am going to a retreat/class or anywhere I take my quilting, i put as much as possible in rolling cases or bags and take it all inside with me, we live in a very rural area and have been experiencing a lot of break-ins, not just in cars, but into our homes, the people have lots every type item imaginable, from sewing machines to clothes to quilts to guns to TV's, jewlery, you name it they take it, it can be sold at yard sales or swap meets or even on craigs list, according to our local sherriff, it just to difficult to monitor every thing that is sold, I understand that, so it is up to us to be vigilant, we must be very cautious, be sure to lock all doors and put everything out of site, and watch out when we make a purchase that we know qho we are buying from so we are not the recipient of stolen property. Be sure to take a picture of everything, then post it so we can all be on the lookout for stolen items.

They stole Karen Comb's suitcase. They couldn't see what was in it until alfter they stole it. It was full of teaching supplies and the quilts. The police told her it looked like a Professional thief.

When I travel, I pack what I am going to need as I stop at the motels, and things like my camera gear and my laptop in the back seat and floor of the car. Everything else is packed into the trunk, which is NOT OPENED at the motel, or anywhere else I stop along the way. All my gear bags are black, and I keep several obviously cheap throws to toss over them....I put them on the floor, and cover. Then the travel debris, water bottles, snack bags, etc, gets tossed over that. When I stop for the night, the bags all go in with me....the trunk stays closed, and no one gets to see what may be available to steal....all they see is that it all went inside with me. I would never leave a quilt in the car. I don't even leave change in the holder, or an empty plastic bag. People will break in to steal anything.

Maybe it's time for the talented people who show quilts to sew tracking devices into them, or maybe they could all put some cheap store bought quilts in their cars rigged with explosive paint devices like the cash that banks sometimes give robbers. Wouldn't we love to see these creeps caught literally red handed!

these days you should not leave anything whatsoever that has value to you in your vehicle...a big black market item is tide detergent, but if a thief sees a quilt he or she knows they have value on the black market... it seems that this started up with the tide the past year with drugsellers and users and it also seems that the economy and under/unemployed may be getting just as desparate to sell these things as well...

I was ready to mail 14 r/w/b blocks to a member here who was making quilts for wounded vets as well as 2 large boxes of food, toiletries, candy etc to my son in law and the soldiers in his Afghanastan unit and put them in the car so after I dropped my daughter off at school in the morn I could go right to the post office. Thieves took it all. police said-you won't see the food stuff but maybe those quilt blocks will show up tossed out somewhere. yep. so I'm back at sewing. people can be so dang rotten! nothing has shown up yet. guess I should be dumpster diving.

I love this!!!

Sounds good as long as the thieves open the quilts outside the car!

The thieves are breaking into automobiles anf stealing anuthing they think is of value to get money to buy DRUGS.
Nothing to do with the economy or lack of jobs. It is their HABIT they are feeding, not their bodies.

The thieves are just randomly breaking into cars parked in Hotel/Motels figuring people are not smart enough to carry anything of value into the room with them. We carry everything inside with us whenever we stay in overnight.
I lock my truck at all times no matter where I am.

Thieves are stealing copper out of anything they think has copper in it. Copper equals money for drugs. They would come into anyone's yard to steal A/Cs or anything else of value. They don't care how rich or poor you are. The money is free DRUGS.

Please put your quilts in the trunk, where no one can see them! Thieves will not hesitate to break a glass on a locked vehicle to get quilts that they can see. Feel so sorry for them. New Braunsfels, TX has those really nice Quilt Storage boxes that have glass sides and tops, and wooden frames. They sell at the International Quilt Show in Houston and from their shop. Sorry, I can't think of the name of the co. right now.

UOTE=QM;5066921]People will steal almost anything. Please lock your car when you leave your precious quilts inside. Also, check E Bay and Craigs list for the stolen quilts.[/QUOTE]

It is called Kerry's Kollectables. You really need to look at their site!!

[/QUOTE]

I am often traveling with quilts AND musical instruments. It is well worth the extra hassle of unloading everything and reloading. We have also learned to watch out for each other during shows and always appreciate extra pairs of eyes of faithful quilters.

here is the update from Karen Combs...WARNING...when you see these quilts and discover what all was stolen it will break your heart and make you sick to your stomach! SO SAD!
http://karencombs.wordpress.com/2012...quilts-stolen/

This info has also been posted on lostquilt.com

certainly there is a limited market for these quilts, do they really profit at the heartbreak of those that worked so hard and take pride in their craft. The quilts are surely recognizable and must be difficult to sell

I wonder if someone is watching people that may be in quilt shows or somehow know they are teaching, etc. I hope they get caught by someone here on this board. Let them know quilters stick together.

This was my thought now. Why do they steal? Usually to resell. Who is going to buy such a quilt? It would have to be someone who appreciates such quilts.

They are gorgeous--but the typical meth addict doesn't know how to finish a quilt top or have friends who are willing to pay big bucks for such a quilt top or finished quilt, right? Which means WE need to be aware and alert to these being sold.

This is very, very heartbreaking and distressing. Those beautiful creations -- all gone. I would be numb with grief.

See, I honestly think they are not your normal druggies looking for quick cash...they are professionals looking for the REAL goods because they already have a buyer for them! They can't sell these on the street and they would not chance jail for a suitcase full of old clothes! They knew what was in there!

Even if you lock items in your trunk you should still lock your car. My niece had a nice laptop that she locked in the trunk and didn't lock her car. Thief tore out the back seat to get the laptop.

Makes good sense.

I think you're selling the addicts short------------unfortunately, many of them have "normal" parents and families.

Darn those thieves!! So sorry for your loss Karen!

If I'm shopping and putting things in the trunk and then shopping some more at the same place, I get in the car and drive away and park somewhere else.

Be careful when you leave your car in the parking lot, do not use your remote to lock your cars. There is a new device out there that can be used when you lock your car with your remote, it will unlock your car and they can take what is in your car. Always use the lock button inside your car, a signal does not go out when you do that. Be careful and take care.

You have to hide everything in the trunk

What a shame for that to happen. Hope they find them and the quilts too.

My sister-in-law works for HandiQuilter and she wrote me yesterday, "I attended a Ricky Tims seminar last year, he said no matter how tired they are or where their hotel room is located, they haul every single suitcase up to the room and NEVER leave anything in the car." This doesn't apply to the one lost at Houston. If I could quilt like these ladies who lost their quilts, I'd have handcuffs attached to me and my quilt.

Where would they sell quilts? Ebay? Can't imagine they would get what they cost....but then it didn't cost them anything! Geeeez!

I'm sorry Ms Combs quilts were stolen, but what I don't understand is why she wouldn't take that suitcase of quilts out of the car and schlep them up to her room. It's not as if this is her first time out and about with valuable show quilts. She has been doing this for years and I'm sure has heard the tales of woe of other stolen quilts.

Lesson learned the hard way, and I'm really sorry.

This happens frequently to jewelry salespersons.

I live in a small town where it would probably be very safe to leave it in the car. I wouldn't, why take a chance?