Is anyone making quilts for soldiers?

Being a quilting military wife. I have made quilts for soliders in the past.
I have also made things like "Daddy pillows" for kids who have a parent deployed. I made A BUNCH of these, they are fast, fairly cheap, and easy to do.

Yes, my little group has been making quilts for wounded soldiers for about 3 years.
Used to send them back east to get quilted then back to the Quilts of Valor but it was so expensive and we wanted to give locally.
We contacted the local VA and now give to wounded in our area.
Sometimes we even meet the soldier but sometimes it is a familly member we give the quilt to.
Here is a picture of one.

I have a son in the Air Force, and I make quilts for soldiers along with some other AF moms. We have our own group on Google to coordinate and share ideas. Our main focus is charity quilts for a yearly raffle at the Air Force Academy.

Sometimes I search www.anysoldier.com looking for a recipient for my quilts, if I want to send to anyone other than my own. That way, the quilt goes to a specific soldier. I usually save my quilts for when my son is deployed (yearly), and he lets me know who doesn't get much mail, and that is who gets my quilts!

I used to send quilts to CSAF, which is a hospital in Iraq at Ballad AFB, but I discovered the soldiers cannot keep the quilts when they are air lifted out to Germany. Something to do with transferring bacteria. From Germany to the USA, I believe they can keep their quilts.

My local quilt shop has two long arms by Handi Quilter. The owner discounts the rented time for me if I am doing a charity or soldier quilt. So, ask around your area to see if someone will quilt for a discount when the quilt is going to a soldier.

Two questions:

1. What is a Daddy pillow?

2. Jeannie, why did you want to know if anyone quilts for soldiers. Do you need help with something?

Diane

Wow that is gorgeous!!

Hi! I am in the process of designing one now, have to put it on the back burner a little bit - W.I.P. right now! I do like the idea of giving them to our soldiers locally. We have Fort Snelling not too far from us> that way, my plan was to make a MInnesota quilt with memories of the State of Minnesota, with a book to go with it explaining the blocks and what they stand for. I would also like to make a patriotic one.

I think it is so heartwarming to do something for the soldiers considering what they have done for us! :-) There are so many things I would like to pay forward, I'll never get done.

It sure feels good too!!!!! Edie

Edie,

You pay it forward just one quilt at a time.

I send a message with my quilts about why I made it using a particular design, how each minute spent cutting, sewing, and quilting was with thoughts of how it will keep a soldier warm and let him/her know they are loved and thought about daily.

I've discovered that soldiers appreciate quilts more than words can say. We make them for a person, and not to match a room or decor, and that is what is so special.

Giving locally is wonderful. You can choose a state on www.anysoldier.com to make sure someone from your state gets the quilt as well.
Diane

Diane, thanks so very much for your tips. I, too, would make it specifically for someone from Minnesota, so I can put things in it like fishing, hunting, football, basketball, baseball, hockey - stuff that would mean something to a MInnesotan. I am in the process of making a baby quilt for our son's friend and his wife. And I should be done with it this weekend, I hope!!! Then I can get my act together and make a quilt. What size did you make. I am a 12" block - 5 across - 7 down with 2" sashing and 4" border. Am I thinking way too big? Or should it be a 3 across - 5 down? The QOV had a size, but I was just wondering if you made it and delivered it personally to the VEts Hospital, would it matter?

Again, thanks for your help. Edie

justwannaquilt,

I don't know what Daddy pillows are, so please tell us how you make them!

I make recovered fleece pillow for soldiers. I use freecycle.org to ask for used toss pillows. I wash them and then make an envelope pocket out of patriotic or solid colored fleece to put the pillow in, and I send them to a local group who makes weekly packages for our soldiers. I also send them to a military hospital in Iraq, and in any packages that I send to soldiers. They are so quick to make and the best part is getting the pillows for free. I always use my Joann's 50% off coupon for my fleece. The pillows are so soft and easy to take the fleece off for washing.

Here is how I make them:

If the pillow is 14x14, then I cut a piece the same width and 2 1/2 length,
so the piece is 14x35. Wrong side down, (center if necessary if the fleece is a print) fold the two short sides over each other until you have the 14" square, pin, and sew along the long edges of the fleece, close to the edge. Turn rightside out and stuff the pillow in. No need to edge the fleece, as it doesn't ravel.

Cutting the fleece the same width as the pillow, gives a nice smooth fit because fleece has that stretch to it.

Diane

Sorry I didn't get back to ya, I haven't been online all day, well, thats a lie, I have been online but I have been doing homework. JOY!

Here is a link to what an actual daddy doll is.
https://www.hugahero.com/]https://www.hugahero.com/[/url]
When I make them I print the picture on fabirc, and then make the pillow in the rough shape of the picture just like the daddy dolls!