I have been familiar with Quilting Board since the middle of September and so I am probably out of the loop here, but I need some information. I have just heard about QOV, Quilts of Valor, made for wounded soldiers in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. I want desperately to make a few quilts for these soldiers and I am wondering if any of you have made one or if I am the first one. The website mentioned patriotic blocks and I am thinking of Minnesota and things that are familiar to Minnesotans. We have a lot of soldiers overseas and if I could just bring a little home to them, I would love to do that. I would like to put in the woods, lakes, fish, football, baseball, flowers, Christmas tree, a house, stuff like that. I am wondering if this would be acceptable. The website said also that fabric shops give a discount on the fabric you buy for these quilts, which would help me greatly (we're retired). If any of you have done the QOV or are interested, could you let me know. Also, I would like a quilt to go to a Minnesotan so he/she could identify with the meaning of the quilt. "Home is Where the Heart is". That would be my title and the house block would be my center block.

Am I out in left field some place or is this something I can really sink my teeth into. Thanks for any help you can give me. Edie :D

this is a link to their website.

http://qovf.org/index.php?option=com...age&Itemid=149

you could also donate directly to the veterans' hospital in minneapolis, or to one of the many VA clinics in your state.

Thank you so very much. The VA hospital is just across the river from us (Mississippi). That I will do! Edie

That is a wonderful idea for a quilt. I agree that if you want to make sure it goes to a Minnesotan, you should donate it locally at the VA hospital. You could also check with the Guard Unit in Minneapolis and see if there is an ombudsman who could direct you. Or you can go online and find a local quilt guild that might be doing them. The local quilt shops sometimes host groups that make QOV's. I was originally from Southern Minnesota and I still have 2 children and their families living there in Mankato and Pine Island so I get there a couple times a year. Good luck.

Thank you diffo! I really appreciated all the help given me. Edie

ER-
I think that Calla Lily Quilts in Blaine makes quilt for QOV. I thought I just saw something about it on their website. If you google Calla Lily Quilt shop, you should find it under clubs I think.

My last trip to Mn in Aug. I visited a wonderful shop just of 42 and 13, don't remember the name but they were extremely helpful. You might do a google search for quilt shops in your area. They were a part of the quilt run in Aug.

The shop I take my quilting to is Quilt Yourself. There was a quilt store two doors down. Sold all kinds of fabric and stuff - they closed down. Quilt Yourself has expanded now. I can't figure out why the quilt stores are closing, but more people are making quilts. Would I be xcorrect is assuming that that shop you mentioned on 42 was in Shakopee? That's my d-in-l's favorite shop.

I will give it a shot and see what it says. Thank you ever so. Edie

I checked Calla Lily - I would love to do an Underground Quilt. I find it so interesting. There are so many things I want to do. I also found out that several shops will discount fabric for a QOV. That would help. I have decided for sure it will be the "Floating Star" block! Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to quilt I go.

Just finished battening down the hatches in the yard. Covered the grapevines, the hydrangea, Sweet Autumn Clematis and brought in all the ticky tacky and now it can snow. I ache all over, so sitting at the machine will calm me down. Have a good evening! Edie

ER

We also do something similar over here on the pond. Infact I have been to our monthly meeting tonight & we were given a breakdown of the visit to Headley Court last week by one of our ladies. She was approached by a young man being pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse with no lower limbs & one arm. He asked for a quilt to be placed on his bed which of course she did. She told us he was so very very grateful to all of us ladies as with the quilt on his bed he felt as if he was at home & not in hospital as he knew it had been made with love.
I can tell you there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

With regards to some ideas we have just agreed that there will be a certain amount of quilts made with their regiment badges or section crests embroidered or appliqued onto the quilts. As many of the men that are injured are either the Royal Marines or the Paracute Regiment. Also specific colours too that relate to there uniforms.
Every single one of our quilts that are taken in person are appreciated so very much by these young men, these are then adventually taken home with them when they are discharged from hospital.

We have been making quilts that grow quickly, the majority of the ladies in our group are like yourself retired & sew for Britain LOL, all day long. They do an excellent job. Normally they choose patterns that grow quickly.
I shall take some pictures for you when the next batch are brought to the meeting.

Tisha

Tish, thanks so much for your note. My husband was stationed in Manchester when he was in the Air Force back in the 50's. My friend and I have decided that we are going to make a few quilts. I am so excited about this. Edie

I believe this is the shop I was at in August. The pictures on the internet look familiar. They were very friendly. We went to a few others but this one seemed to stand out. I don't remember going to one in Shakopee.

QUILTER'S HAVEN
14760 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
Telephone: 651-322-7071
Email Us: [email protected]

Check out this site for a fast, easy, disappearing 9 patch that I have used many times for charity quilts.

http://quiltsatcs.blogspot.com/2007/...-tutorial.html

What an absolutely fantastic idea for an easy, yet very attractive quilt. I printed it up and will use it for sure. I am thinking for a larger quilt, I will make the block 12" - Then I could do five across and six down. No sashing, just a small 2" border and a 4" border. Sounds good to me.

Thanks so much. Edie

It goes together really fast and it is a great way to use up smaller cuts of fabric. When I teach some of the younger gals at my church how to sew together block, many times I will use this pattern and let them try it out on our donated, sometimes small pieces of fabric. They all leave thinking that they have just done their first quilt because they were able to finish a lap quilt top in a couple of hours.

Good luck with it. You might also go to www.quilterscache.com and look at their block patterns, they tell you the difficulty and style of quilting for each block and there are hundreds of them.

You can also do this one using 2" strips sewn together on a foundation, square off the blocks, cut them diagonally both directions and exchange "sections" with other blocks for a scrappy quilt. You can either add sashing and a border or just make it scrappy.

All of my sampler quilts were made of Quilter's Cache 12" blocks. I love them, the directions are easy to follow and I have fun making them. Edie