Quilting with Conscience: Quilts of Valor

The art of quilting lends itself very easily to projects that make a difference. Here at 24 Blocks we will bring you a stories of a quilting projects that have done just that. 

 

Crew from All American DUSTOFF outside Bagram CASH (Afghanistan) with a Quilt of Valor. (Source) 

Quilts of Valor is a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing current and former United States servicemen and women with handmade quilts to heal and comfort those touched by war. Founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts in her sewing room in Seaford, Delaware, QOV has donated over 65,532 (as of May 2012) to service members and veterans. The organization is growing fast and gaining in popularity, doubling its number of quilts awarded in the last year.  

Each Quilt of Valor is made according to a set of basic requirements:

• The fabric must be 100% cotton, high thread count, of good quality, and unused. 
  

  Kathy Coontz
• The quilt must be at least 55" X 65"
• The quilt must be use quality batting
• The quilt must have a label indicating that it is a Quilt of Valor
• The quilt must come with a presentation case and a letter or journal about its story, from the quilt-maker
• Patriotic patterns and color themes are preferred
• The quilt must not have a juvenile theme (intended for babies or children)

The mission of Quilts of Valor, as stated on their website, it "to cover ALL combat service members and veterans touched by the war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. This foundation is not about politics," the statement continues, "It's about people." Volunteers in the QOV process can be either toppers, longarmers, or both (see more here). 

The Quilts of Valor website is chock full of detailed information about participating in any of the steps of this charitable process. Take a look here if you are interested in learning more. 

173rd Fighter Wing, Klamath Falls, OR

Delores Wagner and her Quilt of Valor (Source)

Comments

[Vicki Greisman]

I am an American Studies student and working on a paper on the people who made quilts for soldiers in past wars. I am interested in possible interviews with current quilters who are making quilts for soldiers today for comparison. May I contact your group?

[Lynn Verloove]

I'm going to make a quilt for valor. If you have questions, you can contact me either on FB or email verloove@hotmail.com. Lynn

[Leslie Fitzgerald]

I have the joy and privilege of quilting with a group of Blue Star Moms in Santa Clara Valley. These moms are amazing women who I have watched worry about their boys or girls overseas as they lovingly piece Quilts of Valor for veterans who are now safe and sound back home. Making QOV quilts is a wonderful opportunity to say "thank you" to those men and women who have placed their lives on the line to protect our basic freedoms. The community involved in these projects is awe-inspiring and I am so honored to be welcomed among their ranks. If you are given the chance to help make a QOV, do it!

[Claire]

Kathleen: Thank you so much for the kind words!Avis: On these huge quilts, I don't feel coeemtpnt to quilt them myself so once they are pieced and sandwiched (ie: put batting between the top and the bottom), I take them to a professional quilter who has a huge long-arm quilting machine. She puts the quilt on her machine and quilts it to my specifications. Then I bring it home and bind it myself. It costs a little bit more to do this, but I like the results. I've found a woman who is quite experienced and is reasonable in pricing in a little town near me.Trish: See my comment above to Avis re: the quilting. I don't have the skills (or confidence to quilt this huge quilts on my own). BUT, I do my own quilting on my machine when I have quilts which are lap quilts size or baby quilts (and I probably could handle a double bed size now). I sometimes just do straight line quilting, but I took a class for free motion and finally got up my courage to free motion a couple of quilts it is scary at first, but then it gets fun! I had to screw up all my courage and just jump in (you can see my first effort ). I agree with you re: binding by hand it is a nice relaxing thing for me to do, too!

[Mikhael]

This would be the perfect quilt for my 16 year old. Hard to find smntehiog that is for that age, youthful and fun but not flowery. He loves bright colors. My son has a chronic illness and has to have infusions every 8 weeks. The quilt would be for those times, it can get chilly there! Also, I'm trying to figure out the blogging thing. Not as much time to devote to it but it will develop! This would be a fun project to highlight and make me spend more time on getting my site better organized. Even if I don't win the fabric, it's a cool quilt and I'll probably still make it for my son . After the holidays! Thanks!

[Marietje]

I would like to win this giveaway. I've been qluiting for about 4 years, never thought I would, but my daughter got into qluiting when she was 11 and I kind of helped her and thought I would try it and now I have made more than her. It looks like a fun quilt to make and now my almost 9 year old daughter wants to learn to sew and we are making a quilt for her 4-H fair next summer. This would be a good one for her to do too.