1. No matter who you hope will receive the quilt(s) you make, they should be made with as much care, skill and quality as your talents permit. The materials used should be of the same caliber you'd use if you were making the quilt for any member of your family. You should never give away anything you wouldn't consider good enough to use in your own house. You should not use benevolent organizations as dumping grounds for quilts you consider in any way substandard.
2. QOV is a fantastic organization and i admire everyone involved here and in Canada. however, QOV is only one of many pipelines through which you can give quilts you've made for the men and women who serve our countries and preserve our freedom. A hand-pieced and/or hand-quilted quilt can be every bit as durable as one done by machine if it's made properly. If your preferred method does not fit into the QOV rules, but does result in a well-constructed, attractive quilt that will stand the test of use and washing, present your gift through a different organization. Better yet make one quilt to donate where you prefer AND ALSO send a check to QOV for whatever it cost you.
3. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines who receive the quilts don't know whether you call them "charity", "comfort", "Horace", or "Jill." they know only that somebody out there appreciates them as human beings, recognizes their sacrifice, and is grateful to them for being who they are and for doing what they do. therefore, any question and argument over the semantics is absurd.
now, if you'll excuse me, i have a pile of Irvings to finish.
back to the fun, please!