I would say 2-4 is the prime age for a comfortor! My 3 and a half would be lost with out hers
Yes, especially if it's an I spy quilt. I did think perhaps it was alphabet based, as suggested by a previous poster. (sorry, am to too tired to go back to see who it was that mentioned this) and I am thinking it as part of a kit. I have a stash of fabric, much of it was given to me, and at one stage I thought about creating little kits to sell as it seemed to be a popular item. Some of the fabric is 30 years old, some brand new.
In regards to the suitcase turning up now - I also wonder if it's because someone is clearing out a property. It may not have been sold, and may not even be in the area - ie whoever dumped it probably drove to this remote place to dump it, and I do feel that it was placed in this spot to be 'found' - it's a spot we would pick if someone needed to go to the toilet, due to the bushes with privacy.
The property it came from might be a farm - so multiple generations might live on it, hence no reason to 'sell' (and might be part of a family trust?). The property owner might have gone into a nursing home. Property might not be sold until they are no longer on this earth.
We're currently clearing out a deceased property and it's going to be a good 6 months before it's placed on the market.
(maybe the person who dumped it, has to travel to the property they are clearing out, and they were returning home a number of hours away?)
Unless someone recognises most of the clothing and comes forward, I don't think they are going to give us much idea about this poor child.
Some clothes might be older because they are hand-me-downs or purchases from online or an op shop. We've recently donated kids clothes that are 16 years old - as they were used by all our girls, but hardly worn.
The newer clothes could have been added years later, to add some confusion.