Ever since meeting Ed and Martha Keagle and learning about their extraordinary community-building signature quilt activity in the UVM Wright Hall dorm in 1974, we have been excited to meet alumni who took part.

Madeleine (Vaillancourt) Chapman '77 was the lucky winner of the quilt itself and has had it in her possession all these years.  We got to catch up in a phone call this spring to hear her memories and reflections on the project's meaning and legacy. (Read Lisa (Ringey Ventriss '77's quilt story here, for another alumna's experience as well.)

Here is what she shared: 

As the 50th anniversary of the quilt was approaching I was about to investigate the best way to donate the quilt back to UVM when Ed and Martha reached out to me ...truly serendipity! Even before Martha & Ed contacted me, I had been thinking about how I had had the quilt for so long, and that it seemed like it should go to them or to UVM. And then I got the email from Ed, and I thought, "oh my gosh!" It was really sweet to know that I wasn't the only one thinking about it.

I was approached by Ed one night as I was manning the front desk to quickly create a block for the quilt as they were in need of one to proceed. He handed me the muslin, black and red embroidery floss and with that I stitched up a fairy style mushroom. Though that was the extent of my contribution (hindsight I wish I had spent time sewing the quilt up).  I am actually a very good seamstress and recognized the amazing workmanship of Martha's team. Therefore, I was thrilled when my name was drawn as the winner of the quilt. I did actually use it as my main bedcover for years and I'm afraid I may have taken it to an outdoor concert and sat on it once!

One thing I reflect on is the fact that we were in a coed dorm, but I remember that the guys were really willing to take part. We had a few hockey players, even one who was pre-med, and they're busy people! Some of them went on to do great things. 

Then it was all done, and it was time to give the quilt to someone. I remember the party in our dorm when it was announced and thinking "I really want this quilt."  I am a sewer and recognized the amazing workmanship of the quilt. and then my name was drawn!  I did actually use it and it was my main quilt on my bed for many years. I am afraid I may have taken it to a concert and sat on it once! (she laughed)

I went on to teach Family and Consumer Sciences for close to 40 years and the quilt became a "show and tell" showpiece for my students at Rochester and Northfield schools (I was Northfield's UVM teacher of the year 2000).

I think a lot of times students do need activities that bring them together, actually working with a group. Being part of this, was just such an activity and I am so glad I got to be part of it. Being a local Vermont student, I spent most of my free time hanging out with my hometown friends and therefore experienced limited "dorm living" - but being part of this larger project helped build connections and even a sense of belonging at UVM.

For us, through making the quilt, we got to know students on the different floors, which you don't always get to do in a dorm. We were willing to do good things and not so good things together. I remember that we were lucky to be in a dining hall where Saturdays would be steak and candlelight, and we'd listen to music together. Martha and Ed set it up so we felt good about hanging out together.

I was in Wright Hall my freshman and sophomore years. This was not just when we made the amazing quilt, it was also the year of the streakers on campus! We'd watch hundreds go by through the big picture window. But I don't know if streakers were part of the quilt! 

Making the quilt was a really nice experience at the start of my college years. We had fun.  There was such a variety of people. It would be so neat to find out what happened to all these people.

Are you one of the alumni who helped make the quilt? Do you remember it happening? We'd love to talk with you! Email Cheryl Carmi and let's find a time to talk.