Quilts of Valor project to start January 15, 2015. Join us!

Sew Vac & Long Arm Quilting Center's Sew Addicted Charity Sewing Club is excited to begin our Quilts of Valor project Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 1pm. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome.

As we learned at the presentation given by NE Tennessee/SW Virginia Coordinator, Susan Lane, quilts are awarded not only to recently returning service men and women, but to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm vets as well. She shared many pictures and stories of the reaction of the veterans as a Quilt of Valor was awarded to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice.

 Quilts of Valor is a nationwide project, but the quilts made here, will go to local veterans. Samples of some quilts are included in this blog article. We will be doing a simple log cabin style quilt and will be cutting out the pieces for the quilt on the 15th to ensure that the blocks are the same size. We ask that you use a 1/4 inch foot if you have one. Volunteers will make the squares at their home and return them to be joined, quilted, and bound at a later date. Sew Vac has ordered patriotic fabric for this purpose.

Quilts of Valor is always looking for volunteers for quilting tops or blocks, binding, or long arm quilting.  To volunteer, meet Susan at our January 15th meeting at 1pm, or email Susan at Susan.Lane@QOVF.org.

There are certain requirements for the Quilt of Valor quilts. These are made to make sure that the veteran is respected and honored with a quality product. He or she gave their best, so we should give our best in making a quilt that will bring them comfort. The Basic Quilt requirements are as follows:

• Recommended quilt size of 60 x 80 inches, minimum 55 x 65 inches, maximum 72 x 90 inches
• High quality 100 percent cotton quilting weight fabric appropriate for an adult. No kids fabric or overly flowery prints (unless created for a female veteran). Patriotic themes and colors are recommended, however please do not make a quilt that looks like the American flag. It may have American flags within the prints. 
• Block or quilt pattern of your choice, but no rag quilts, flag replica quilts, or wholecloth/cheater quilts
• Use low-loft batting such as 80/20. 
• Use straight cut or bias double fold binding. Join binding pieces with diagonal seams. Do not fold over backing for binding or zig-zag in place.
• Make a coordinating pillowcase as a presentation case
• Machine or hand quilting is welcome in an appropriate design. No tie quilts, stitch in the ditch or giant meander. 
• Labels are attached (available from Susan) or you can make your own. It must include the following information. "Quilt of Valor", your first name and state (no last name or address), and should NOT include advertising, political, or religious messages. 
• Please wash your quilt after it has been quilted and bound using a color catcher in the washing machine.

Please remember, that no matter our political beliefs on any war or conflict, it is the individual sacrifice we are honoring, not the fighting. It is asking so much to put the lives of the citizens of your country ahead of your own. We, and the individuals themselves, can look at veterans of previous conflicts and know that they will not return unscathed and sadly, some may not return at all. No soldier who has served with dignity and respect should return home to anything but love and gratitude. They did not create the war, they only volunteered to protect their country. That is what we honor with a Quilt of Valor.