I know it is still with the red, white and blue theme but how about a two color quilt. just blue and white or red and white? I can understand wanting something different though.

I donate through


Barb Johnston
Q4C
1831 Jeanne Ave
Pahrump, NV 89048

Tell her the quilts are for returning veterans. She is furnishing 300 quilts to the new to be opened VA hospital in Las Vegas, and she wants NON Red, White and Blue quilts.

I just use a large star pattern like this:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-131950-1.htm

in whichever colors I wish. She needs her quilts to be at least 60 x 70, so that is the size I make them.

No I didn't take a picture..but I will have him take a picture and send it to me.
I think its great to send something other than the normal RWB.
He says they need a break from all of that when they get home, not they don't love their job, but need to be away from it also.
Now, I will tell you this also, I have made an ARMY quilt and a RWB quilt, sooooooooooooo I guess I will give them to him when he retires...which is a few years away...LOL

I did a Quilts of Valor in flower fabrics
Some vets are female and this seemed nicer for them
No refusal from the organization

[quote=jillaine]I love the idea of making quilts for returning vets.

I can't help but wonder if there are some returning vets who would prefer NOT to be reminded of their time over there, and would appreciate something entirely different.

[quote]

I've mentioned this as well in a post, I think it was yesterday, and can tell you there are veterans that, in fact, do not want to be reminded of what they saw or had to do. They are in my unit and in my family. If you're talking about veterans returning home, who aren't going into a hospital, or who aren't physically wounded, an alternate to the patriotic gift is incredibly difficult to suggest - something that would express gratitude for their service without bringing back memories of what that service included... No matter what the theme, that veteran will be thinking "that's the quilt I got for being in the war" - or whatever gift it may be, you know what I mean? and that pretty much negates the whole "thank you gift" concept. It's a really hard place to be.

If you're talking about returning wounded vets, who are like in a hospital, that's some different, in my mind. They've got to cover up with something, right? so just make it different colors than the patriotic standard.

Sometimes a hug is all you can do.

First I would contact my nearest Vet Hospital and ask if you could donate some quilts to the vets. Maybe show a few to them. Homespuns, shirtings and plaids are all great for guys, And a small corner block with a heart in it would be cool. I argee about the super patriotic angle of so many organizations. I think those who serve know they are patriots and just want and need something that shows care and appreciation for their efforts.

It is a very thoughtful thing to do and you should try it!
peace to all

This is wonderful. I love this idea.

I have made a few that have red, white, and blue in them; and I have also made some regular type quilts. All of these have gone to a new local assisted living facility, (that is just for Vets) not to far from where we live. I also belong to a Guild, and we make different colors. My favorite in the Spider quilt, U know so easy with leftover strings.

I did a 6 inch rail fence block for a man coming home from Walter Reed hospital after he was shot in Iraq. It was made in different shades of brown. Manly but not depressing. I hand quilted it.

I made a batch that were oriented toward women, used the tiniest snippets of red and blue (thinking that I was being sneakily compliant), took them to the VA Hospital near me and asked if they were acceptable. The Social Services person fell all over them - he told me that a number of female Korean, WW@ vets in the hospital and they feel forgotten. I had taken a batch of plain little notecards and sat right down and wrote little notes like "Thank you for paving the way for all of the women in future generations." The Social Service director told me not to worry about the red, white and blue thing.