Good day all! Nice to have you here with me, as always.

Way back in April-ish of 2022, I began to search for a quilt stand of sorts that I could display my quilts on, outdoors. I wanted it fairly large, fairly tall actually, so that visually, it would take up the appropriate amount of space in photos.

Now, there are many types and kinds of quilt racks on the market. But they are all made in the same mold, and are maybe 40″ tall. I needed one much, much taller.

Closing my eyes, I had a visual in mind. I started searching online. Nothing of interest was popping up. I took a look at the Kijiji website and did a search. I got a hit for someone advertising quilt ladders who lived in Innisfail, Alberta – about an hour and fifteen minute drive from Calgary. There were no photos on the Kijiji ad. I contacted the email address.

In writing, I tried to explain exactly what I needed. The person at the other end of the email said, “My husband can make you anything you want!”  She told me her husband would make me a wooden quilt ladder in whatever size I wished. Grabbing the tape measure, I got the exact dimensions of the back of the inside of my vehicle and gave them to her. I explained to her what I needed the quilt ladder for. . . in that it had to be able to stand on its own, not necessarily lean against a wall or fence, etc. She took a deposit from me via e-transfer, which I was so happy to send. It meant the process had started. Then, I waited.

Maybe two weeks go by. I get an email from the lovely lady in Innisfail whose name is Yvonne. I can go and pick up my quilt ladder anytime. It’s all ready to go home!  She sent me a photo of it.

I was ecstatic! It looked perfect. We drove north up Highway 2 the very next day.

When we arrived at the home on a cul-de-sac, Yvonne invited me in. My new quilt ladder was standing there in their living room. Yvonne’s husband, Merv, had made it exactly to my specifications! I thought it was beautiful and I said so, over and over again. Merv was pretty happy and proud of what he had made just for me. It’s exactly what I wanted and what I needed.

We paid them the balance owing in cash, visited for quite sometime, and then headed out. Rick was positive that my brand new quilt ladder WOULD NOT fit into the back of my vehicle. Quote: “There is no way that is going to fit in the back of your Rav.”  Merv and I exchanged a glance or two. He didn’t say anything. He and I knew it would fit – after all, I had measured.

Now, the ladder doesn’t fold in or collapse in any way, so it had to fit into my vehicle, as is. Lifting up the hatch door, we carefully slid it into place. Voila! A perfect fit! Yes, the driver’s side and the passenger side seats had to be squished toward the front, but there was still leg room for the drive home. (I’m glad we hadn’t brought the dogs along for the trip. Not too sure where they would have fit in).

I think my new, custom-made quilt ladder is beautiful. Merv even gave us some brown stain in a jar to take home, in case the ladder needed the occasional touch-up. I’ve taken it out to the ghost town of Rowley so far, with many more ghost towns still to visit.

I think it works perfectly for what I wanted. Thank you so much to Merv’s Quilt Ladders, to Merv himself and to the lovely Yvonne.

Here is their contact information:

Take care everyone.

Kim