Dispelling Myths about Quilts of Valor
08-11-2011, 07:03 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Springfield,Or.
Posts: 491
Originally Posted by AndiR
There is another thread that questioned why the Quilts of Valor program has some of the requirements that they do. Since it seems many people just read the first post, they may have missed some of the posts explaining why the requirements are in place. I see lots of complaining about the requirements, but no one seems to have read the posts explaining why they exist.
While I am not officially associated with the Quilts of Valor program, I have helped coordinate our local chapter, and am saddened by the people who think the QOV guidelines are 'too picky' or that they're being 'greedy' and should be thankful for anything they receive. There are valid reasons why the guidelines exist.
I've pulled this quote from the QOV website:
Not all of the people wanting to help are experienced quilters. The guidelines are necessary to ensure that the quilts hold up through frequent washings as the quilts may be exposed to bodily fluids and need to be sanitized.
The requirement to 'not do only SID' is because that may not be enough quilting to hold the quilt together through frequent washing. Imagine a quilt made of 12" blocks with sashing, and the only quilting is between the block and the sashing - that batting will start shifting and become lumpy. Add some quilting to the blocks, borders and sashing and now the quilt will last much longer.
Quality fabrics are requested as they last longer through frequent washings, and are generally softer and smoother. Course, cheap fabrics may be irritating to injured skin. There are NO color requirements, although the Red White and Blue quilts have proven most popular.
If you cannot quilt the quilt yourself, you DO NOT have to pay to have it quilted. There are volunteer Longarmers who will quilt these FOR FREE. All you have to do is go to the QOV website to request one:
http://www.qovf.org/content/getting-...m-quilter.html
If you don't want to piece or quilt, and have the financial means, consider offering to pay a LAer to quilt a top. (There are many more 'toppers' than quilters, and while we LAers are happy to volunteer our time to quilt these, those of us in business have bills to pay, and can't quilt for free all of the time.)
And I think the suggestion from QOV to ask for donations from your local American Legion or VFW to purchase fabric is a great one.
We started our little group with fabric donations from private individuals. One of our members loves to cut fabric, so she would cut block kits from the donations. People would stop in my studio, pick up a block kit, sew it up at home, and return it. Someone else would take the blocks home, sew them into a top, then return it. Many of our local volunteers donate only their time, so lack of funds does not prevent anyone from participating. We set up a table at our quilt show explaining what we do and had a donation jar. We got enough money to buy a roll of batting and a few bolts of fabric for backings.
And if this cause (I hesitate to call it a charity) is not one you choose to support, that's fine. We each have to pick and choose where we spend our time and dollars. But please don't put it down because you feel the requirements are 'too picky'.
If you'd like to learn more about QOV, here is their website:
http://www.qovf.org/index.html
Scroll down and along the left hand side you'll see a tab "The QOV Process" - that will give you the requirements and how you can participate.
While I am not officially associated with the Quilts of Valor program, I have helped coordinate our local chapter, and am saddened by the people who think the QOV guidelines are 'too picky' or that they're being 'greedy' and should be thankful for anything they receive. There are valid reasons why the guidelines exist.
I've pulled this quote from the QOV website:
After seven plus years and over 36,000 QOVs, we know what works for a quilt to be a Quilt of Valor. Your recipient stood in harm's way. They left the wire to do patrols in over 130 degree heat. They lost buddies and came home with their war demons. As a two Blue Star mom, I have insisted from the beginning that our QOVs would be quality made so that the QOV could last a lifetime of daily use. Making QOVs is not about mass production. Rather it's about honoring, comforting those who have served our Nation while at war.
If you find you can't afford quality fabric, contact your local VFW or American Legion or Service Club and ask for contributions. Usually they are more than happy to help out.
If you find you can't afford quality fabric, contact your local VFW or American Legion or Service Club and ask for contributions. Usually they are more than happy to help out.
The requirement to 'not do only SID' is because that may not be enough quilting to hold the quilt together through frequent washing. Imagine a quilt made of 12" blocks with sashing, and the only quilting is between the block and the sashing - that batting will start shifting and become lumpy. Add some quilting to the blocks, borders and sashing and now the quilt will last much longer.
Quality fabrics are requested as they last longer through frequent washings, and are generally softer and smoother. Course, cheap fabrics may be irritating to injured skin. There are NO color requirements, although the Red White and Blue quilts have proven most popular.
If you cannot quilt the quilt yourself, you DO NOT have to pay to have it quilted. There are volunteer Longarmers who will quilt these FOR FREE. All you have to do is go to the QOV website to request one:
http://www.qovf.org/content/getting-...m-quilter.html
If you don't want to piece or quilt, and have the financial means, consider offering to pay a LAer to quilt a top. (There are many more 'toppers' than quilters, and while we LAers are happy to volunteer our time to quilt these, those of us in business have bills to pay, and can't quilt for free all of the time.)
And I think the suggestion from QOV to ask for donations from your local American Legion or VFW to purchase fabric is a great one.
We started our little group with fabric donations from private individuals. One of our members loves to cut fabric, so she would cut block kits from the donations. People would stop in my studio, pick up a block kit, sew it up at home, and return it. Someone else would take the blocks home, sew them into a top, then return it. Many of our local volunteers donate only their time, so lack of funds does not prevent anyone from participating. We set up a table at our quilt show explaining what we do and had a donation jar. We got enough money to buy a roll of batting and a few bolts of fabric for backings.
And if this cause (I hesitate to call it a charity) is not one you choose to support, that's fine. We each have to pick and choose where we spend our time and dollars. But please don't put it down because you feel the requirements are 'too picky'.
If you'd like to learn more about QOV, here is their website:
http://www.qovf.org/index.html
Scroll down and along the left hand side you'll see a tab "The QOV Process" - that will give you the requirements and how you can participate.
08-11-2011, 07:24 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1,920
Gals and Guys,
I have been involved in making QOVs for over four years making approximately 50 quilts a year (presently working on #189). My friend, Cindy makes one a month. We each take a quilt, two card tables, and a money box to the local community festivals. We ask passersby if they would like to hear about the Quilts of Valor we've made and where they are going. Once they hear, just a $1 donation add up. Children give us change. At the end of the day, we end up with several hundred dollars.
Yes, we stand in the heat of the day. Yes, we get sunburned. Yes, our legs, feet and back get tired. This is a small thing compared to what our soldiers endure carrying many pounds of equipment, fully dressed in the heat.
Aside, we have been invited to speak to different groups, i.e., women's, organizations, churches. We spoke at a very small church last Sunday. We had the privilege to present quilts to two VietNam vets. When we read our labels which included their name, rank and branch of service, and then invited them forward, these grown men were crying by the time they reached us. We all cried. We really caught them off guard. This tiny church gave us the collection for the day and we came home with $406 and it had been collected before we spoke. We were overwhelmed but thankful. (The QOV mission statement, in part, reads, ". . . all those touched by war . . .) (I make it a point to thank the VietNam vets for their service, as they were treated so poorly when they returned.)
One thing that has not been discussed in this thread, is the presentation case. It is a small pillow case to carry his/her quilt. Quilts can be cumbersome and if the recipient is on crutches or in a wheelchair, the "bag" helps. We have also learned that medical records are put into their case when the recipient is moved from one hospital to another (Afghanistan or Iraq to Lundstahl, Germany {where they do the real serious surgeries}).
AND, for those wanting to improve their FMQ, here is an excellent place to practice. Owing the size of these quilts, you can FMQ on a domestic machine. The recipient doesn't care if your line is a little crooked; they appreciate a piece of home made with loving hands.
I'll tell you, guys/gals, the reward you will receive is worth more than the cost of making a quilt or the time involved. Try it and see.
Sorry this is so long. Suzanne
I have been involved in making QOVs for over four years making approximately 50 quilts a year (presently working on #189). My friend, Cindy makes one a month. We each take a quilt, two card tables, and a money box to the local community festivals. We ask passersby if they would like to hear about the Quilts of Valor we've made and where they are going. Once they hear, just a $1 donation add up. Children give us change. At the end of the day, we end up with several hundred dollars.
Yes, we stand in the heat of the day. Yes, we get sunburned. Yes, our legs, feet and back get tired. This is a small thing compared to what our soldiers endure carrying many pounds of equipment, fully dressed in the heat.
Aside, we have been invited to speak to different groups, i.e., women's, organizations, churches. We spoke at a very small church last Sunday. We had the privilege to present quilts to two VietNam vets. When we read our labels which included their name, rank and branch of service, and then invited them forward, these grown men were crying by the time they reached us. We all cried. We really caught them off guard. This tiny church gave us the collection for the day and we came home with $406 and it had been collected before we spoke. We were overwhelmed but thankful. (The QOV mission statement, in part, reads, ". . . all those touched by war . . .) (I make it a point to thank the VietNam vets for their service, as they were treated so poorly when they returned.)
One thing that has not been discussed in this thread, is the presentation case. It is a small pillow case to carry his/her quilt. Quilts can be cumbersome and if the recipient is on crutches or in a wheelchair, the "bag" helps. We have also learned that medical records are put into their case when the recipient is moved from one hospital to another (Afghanistan or Iraq to Lundstahl, Germany {where they do the real serious surgeries}).
AND, for those wanting to improve their FMQ, here is an excellent place to practice. Owing the size of these quilts, you can FMQ on a domestic machine. The recipient doesn't care if your line is a little crooked; they appreciate a piece of home made with loving hands.
I'll tell you, guys/gals, the reward you will receive is worth more than the cost of making a quilt or the time involved. Try it and see.
Sorry this is so long. Suzanne
08-11-2011, 07:25 AM
#45
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
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!
08-11-2011, 08:27 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 314
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!
They do so much more for soldiers than give quilts. They give all kinds of stuff and all kinds of support to our soldiers and their families.
08-11-2011, 09:34 AM
#49
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Triangle, NY
Posts: 184
As a mom who lost her son in Iraq almost 6 years ago I take my hat off to all of you that make quilts for QOV....on eo fmy sons friends received one of the quilts when he was hit with shrapmill...and you are right about the quilts needing more washing then alot of regular quilts...these men and women use these quilts as a comfort in times of difficutly to get through each day...I totally agree with the guidelines and I believe they are set there for excellent reasons..thank you for clearing up some of the negative responses of QOV...and I agree with you also..if your hearts not in it find another organization that can best use your help...as America brought home 30 men this week that were killed in Afganistan I can't help but think that there are 30 families that would have rather their sons have received A Quilt of Valor instead of a folded flag....I would have....blessings
08-11-2011, 09:47 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: White Mountains, AZ
Posts: 2,688
Originally Posted by bearlea
if your hearts not in it find another organization that can best use your help...as America brought home 30 men this week that were killed in Afganistan I can't help but think that there are 30 families that would have rather their sons have received A Quilt of Valor instead of a folded flag....I would have....blessings
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