Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
while this seems NICE info, I continue to disagree! I worked with QOV from the beginning of it, before even being a ".org". In the beginning Catherine just wanted quilts..they were simple, easy to make, hardly quilted at all and only had to be 50" x 60"! Then as the FAME set in, so did all of the rules, the quality had to be the BEST...famous quilter's took on the cause to help promote themselves at the Quilter's expo, and that is when I jumped the train...I still have the original DVD's we used to play as we would BEG for money for batting, thread, shipping funds etc at places like Lions clubs, VFW's, DAv's, etc...it was really sad to watch the direction Catherine decided to take this cause...these days if the quilts are not good enough to present to the General on the steps of the White house, it is NOT QOV acceptable! Color it anyway you wish, but unless you have watched this group/cause over the last 10 years, then you really have NO clue why people like myself choose to NOT support QOV any longer! I prefer to keep it local..everyone has a VFW or DAV center...find it and give your lovely handmade quilts to a real deserving VEt..not just a media hype publicity stunt with Catherine Roberts and her hand picked soldier of the day!
An interesting insight J. i observed at the beginning of QOVF, and as the founder for Canada's version, i have had many quilts come thru my home before heading to our soldiers. we operate somewhat differently in terms of delivery, but the philosphy is the same. We give quilted hugs to our military members. unfortunately, i have seen some quilts come through that have not been made with care and attention or quality fabric. it bothers me to think that a product that will fall apart, bunch up or otherwise become moving furniture padding has been given to the people who keep our countries free and will endure physical and mental trauma for the rest of their lives because of it. Why should we add a comfort gift that doesn't last past the first washing? What kind of message does that send as a thank you? I encourage the best for the best. and always will.
Lezley Zwaal.