Quilts of Valor

If we're talking patriotic quilts, we have to mention Quilts of Valor! If you're not familiar with the organization, it began with Catherine Roberts' dream in 2003. In the ensuing 14 years, this dream has grown into a huge, ongoing undertaking, taking the concepts of "quilts=healing" and presenting patriotic quilts to service members--161,000 quilts have been given to date.

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

Back in February, the Quilt Lovers' Hangout in North Fort Myers, Florida, hosted a National Sew Day Event for Quilts of Valor. They used patriotic fabrics we donated from the Valor and American Pride collections to create quilts for veterans. What a great team effort! 

According to shop owner Andrea Sensecqua, approximately 20 people participated in the sew day. Andrea had bought the shop the previous year, and customers asked if there would be an event for National Sew Day. After investigating, Andrea said "absolutely" began choosing patterns from around the shop. "We had an overwhelming response and sat in our classroom, sewing all day," Andrea says. Completed quilt tops are quilted free of charge by students learning to machine quilt. The Quilt Lovers' Hangout is now an official Quilts of Valor shop.

"It was really meaningful for both customers and staff to be part of such an important event, allowing us to use our passions and skills to award recipients with quilts," Andrea says. "This even kicked off our relationship with QOV and allowed us to bring a national event to a local level."

Quilt blocks laid out, ready to be assembled:

The shop also participated in its first wrapping ceremony. Quilter Sue Styn is presenting, and wrapping, her husband, Bill in a Quilts of Valor quilt in the shop. 

Thanks to Andrea and the Quilt Lovers' Hangout for sharing the story and photos! Have you made a Quilts of Valor quilt? We'd love to hear about it.

Find out more about Quilts of Valor and how to participate here.
Find out more about the Quilt Lovers' Hangout here.
Read an article about QOV and Quilt Lovers' Hangout here.
Check out our patriotic-themed collections! See American Pride here and here and Valor by Ro Gregg here.