Fellow Quilters,

I am begging everyone of you to make one Quilt of Valor. Just one!

On Thursday, The (Harrisburg, PA) Patriot News provided the following information as of June 30, 2009 for Iraq (Afghanistan is not included):

Confirmed US Military wounded (hostile) - 31,408; and
Confirmed US Military wounded (non-hostile, using medical air tansport) - 37,512

Plus a lot more statistics.

If you go to www.QOVF.org you will see that only 23,227 quilts have been awarded to our wounded and we have almost 70,000 wounded. Please help in this cause. We all enjoy our freedoms and regardless of how you feel about our participation in the two conflicts, those serving are still our family, friends and neighbors.

The Quilts of Valor are simple:
Use 100% cotton, preferably patriotic fabrics, wash, dry, press (nothing Childish or too cute);
Choose a simple pattern (fence row or log cabin using red/white/blue), then applique a few stars on top;
Minimum size - 50" x 60";
Use muslin on the back, if you choose;
Prepare a label;
Quilt (preferable) or tie tightly, there are also longarmers to machine quilt (see at the qovf site);
Square and bind (stitch binding first to the wrong side, turn to top and use decorative stitch to finish)
Make a presentation case (small pillow case: 18" x wom in half), I add a band of contrast fabric);
Wash everything again as the quilt will be going into a sterile hospital.

Lastly, fill out a Destination Form by Saturday at the qovf.org site and wait until Sunday or Monday for Cathy Roberts to send you a destination.

Then box and mail. A deserving wounded warrior will appreciate it so much and you will have supported our troops today.

PLEASE let me have a pledge from each of you to help. JUST ONE QUILT will make a dent in those who are waiting for you to show you care.

PM me if you want to know how many of these I have made.

Thank you so much. I'll get down from my box now.

Suzanne

this is certainly a good cause. it's close to my own heart for a lot of reasons. please do NOT take the following information to mean i'm trying to say quilts for our Warriors aren't one of the best things we quilters could ever do for another human being. they definitely are.

i just wanted to let you know that the term "wounded" can mean many things. not all wounds are physical. not all wounds are drastic. most Wounded Warriors recover completely - mentally, physically and emotionally.

this is not to say we should think it's no big deal. i just wanted those of you who may not have the privilege of personally knowing and working with our Warriors - wounded or not - to be reassured that the news for each of them does not remain entirely bad.

of course i encourage anyone who can and wants to send a quilt (or more) to do so. but, if it isn't within your resources ... here's something you could do instead.

if you see someone in uniform, say "thank you".
if you see someone you know used to be in uniform, say "thank you".

trust me ... you will make a difference you can't measure.

no military in your town? go to the nearest major airport one day. keep your eyes "peeled". you'll find at least one. ;-)

Army Strong!
Semper Fi!
Anchors Away!
Fly, Fight and Win!

I like fact I can mail it directly. That's great! I have a quilt at the quilters now that will be perfect to donate.

I joined a group that made the Cool Ties for the soldiers. It turned into basic training! Donated high quality cotton was rejected as being too girly if it had flowers or any pastel color or any shade of pink at all. Aren't there lady soldiers too? the cheap novelty fabric was accepted. One lady serged over 200 ties and they were rejected, no serging allowed. The Cool Ties are small, around the neck under the shirt, wet and dirty. Why all the rules about color and serging? Most of the ladies quit coming to make them. Oh the lady that serged hers, sent them to her grandson whose in the military and he said they were grabbed up in seconds.

I've had similar experiences, which have turned me off to donating to some specific causes. Not all of us can afford pricier fabrics. Suggestions to "have a yard sale/bake sale" to raise money for fabric were obviously made by someone who has never been in my neighborhood.

If one group is too quilt-police-picky, find another or donate directly. Not every quilt will be an heirloom, and not every recipient will treat your work as such.

As a prior service member (27 Yr in USAF)...I so appreciate the idea of donating to our men and women. I would just say forget the quilt police and donate something from your heart...it's deeply appreciated; we have so many in need of a "quilt hug"...just to know they are still in our thoughts and prayers.
Lastly, Happy Fourth of July :)
Freedom isn't Free
Sharon (CMSgt Retired)

I do three or four big fund raisers each year. I have been at this for two years. I take two card tables, two QOVs and my money box and go to community festivals. Often the organizers will not charge me for booth space owing to this project. (Local organizations also contribute when they learn about what I am doing.)

I speak to those attending these affairs, telling why these quilts are made and where they are going. I have a looseleaf binder with pictures of some of my quilts, replies and pictures of some of the recipients to support my asking for donations. Folks give me pocket change as well as the folding green. Without their help, I could not make these quilts. I always come home with several hundred dollars. All money is kept in a separate checking account and I do shop sales and use coupons.

When I got involved in this project, I prayed, asked the Lord for a design and asked that He support it. He has been faithful.

Still at War, Still Quilting, Suzanne

I looked into this program a while back. I was kind of put off by the stress on QS only fabric etc. They also seemed determinded that everything be professionally long armed. I make a lot of Linus quilts and I do machine quilt them as children in particular are hard on stuff and they will need constant washing. I did get the impression that the "quilt police" will determine if our "gift" is good enough. While I understand having standards like new, strong fabric even 100% cotton but to dictate where it must be purchased is going a little to far.
One of the members of our quilt guild collects patriotic themed lap quilts for the military hospitals in the Washington DC area. She even got her husband's VA club to help with some of the delivery etc. expenses. My donations were always welcome with them and I was never made to feel like they weren't up to snuff. I don't seek recognition for my dontaions. I can see putting some words of thanks or incouragement on the quilts.

I've donated a number of quilts to the Soldier's Angels organization, which has the same quilt delivery goals, but not the quilt police that QoV seemed to have with all the restrictions. The original piece on QoV that I read said they wanted "heirloom quality" quilts, and as a beginning quilter that was quite daunting. They would also not accept any tied quilts, nor did they want stitched-in-the-ditch, which is all I've done thus far. Perhaps their rules have changed somewhat from a couple of years ago and its easier to comply now, though I was told at this years Road-to-California QoV booth that they will not accept tied quilts. I'm still partial to Soldier's Angels. Soldier's Angels were extremely appreciative of all my quilts - both tied and stitched in the ditch.

Regardless of which organization you choose, the goals here are the same....getting a tangible hug to them to let the soldiers know they are supported and thought about. I agree with Suz - we can all make and donate at least one. I got my Guild involved and we've made a lot now, and have a good time working on them together, like old fashioned quilting bees.

What are "cool ties" ?

I found the site hard to follow.