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.

Loving the Red, White and Blue: Valor

Patriotism isn't just for holidays--red, white and blue color combination works year-round, creating classic American-themed quilts. Ro Gregg took a patriotic turn with her latest collection, Valor, which is richly colored and full of so much variety! From Marblehead-style basics to echoing stars, wavy stripes, traditional stars, and a sketched-style star, if you can dream it in red, white and blue, you can find it here! 

We asked Ro to talk to us about her new Valor fabrics:

Q. What inspired you to create a patriotic themed line?

Ro: The word "valor" has a Latin root that means to be strong. This collection is dedicated to the men and women that serve this country and their gallant bravery.

Q. Can you talk about a couple favorite prints in the line?

Ro: The large sketched outline star is my favorite...sort of a modern version of the star of honor.  The multi red, white and blue gemstone is very festive and reminds me of confetti.

Q. It’s so fun to see the Marblehead prints resurface here! Can you tell us about that?

Ro: I love it too! The prints are so universal and look great in the multicolor red, white and blue as well as the patriotic multi-tones of reds and blues. The Marblehead designs work in all quilts as a staple.

   

Q. Can you tell us about how the varying backgrounds—both white and cream-- change the look of the fabrics?

Ro: I used both the pure white and also a cream for a vintage look if quilters are making antique-looking quilts.

Q. Why did you decide to do three different styles of stars?

Ro: I used three different types of stars and sizes to create diversity for quilt makers. The stars work together or can stand alone, providing plenty of options.

Q. What do you envision these fabrics being used for?

Ro: So many things! Quilts of Valor, quilts for service people, school banners. Of course it’s a perfect collection for a presidential election year as well.

Find the entire Valor collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 

Sew Quick with Pre-Cuts!

Combine the ever-popular red, white and blue with pre-cut 2-1/2" wide strips and what do you get? 

A quilt everyone will love to make and love to use!

Jean Nolte used our Old Glory Snack Pack to stitch an easy quilt with graphic impact--simply sew strips together and then cut triangles to create this cool design. The quilt is featured in the Winter 2014 issue of Quilting Quickly.

"Freedom Square" by Jean Nolte;
featured in Quilting Quickly Winter 2014

Q. What makes pre-cut strips so great for this quilt? 

Jean: This pattern uses the strips very efficiently – there's very little waste.

Q. What do you like about the Old Glory Snack Pack prints? 

Jean: The patriotic theme is popular with our readers, and if you made this quilt a little larger, it would be perfect for a Quilt of Valor.

Q. Any tips for making this block? 

Jean: Cut carefully so that you get both kinds of triangles (some with blue at the bottom and some with red). 

Q. What do you like best about this quilt? 

Jean: It's quick and easy to make!

Find the Tone on Tone collection which includes the Old Glory Snack Pack here.
Find the kit for Freedom Square here.
Find Quilting Quickly here.