Evening Sew-In January 24 AND

It just so happens to be the first "Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day".   It's an event to raise awareness for the importance of local businesses.  I heard Bonita has an "incentive" to come into the shop.  Well, you were planning on joining us anyways, right!  So, save the date...Thursday, January 24, 5:30 - 8.   More info coming soon.

Now, if you've been reading the blog, you know we won't be meeting tomorrow, our usual sew-in day due to the holiday.  Hope you are joining in on the New Years Day Sit and Sew Day.  My pieces for my quilt have been cut.  Dinner will be left over soup and home baked bread.  

We will be meeting again next Tuesday, same time, same place!  See you next year!
Rita

Welcome Home, Lance Cpl Kenn Macejak and Cpl Richard Uribe

We had the honor of presenting quilts to Ken and Richard last night.  Thank you for your service!

QOV NYD S&S

There are a lot of ideas coming at us for the Quilt of Valor New Years Day Sit and Sew Day.  Here's one:

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2012/12/23/qov-new-years-day-sit-and-sew/

got this one the other day:

http://millendtextiles.com/attachments/5yardquilt/5yard_quilt.pdf

and this:  http://www.mccallsquilting.com/patterns/details.html?idx=13201

Hope you will join us. Let me know.  It's a virtual sew-in.  We can share pics and post.  Look at it this way, about 23 of you were going to sew that day anyways as it is our regular QOV sew-in day!  But now you don't have to battle the cold weather.
Rita

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (again, as Mrs. M once told me, "Make Memories".   Can't help but think of Michael P who just returned and is celebrating Christmas with his family...something we all just take for granted.  I pray that the remaining troops are home soon to their families who await them to celebrate yet another Christmas.

If you want to join me on Thursday night as the Semper Fi family welcomes home a few more Marines, let me know.  Yep, the mission continues.
Rita

Welcome Home, Michael P

Yesterday, in cold Carol Stream, Susie was there to welcome home, Michael and present him with his Quilt of Valor.

If you're not busy New Years Day...

join us in a QOV sew-in.  So far there are 3 of us.   A good day to just sit and sew in your PJ's!!   They just issued a new Destination Report:

Destination report for 12/9 thru 12/15

Weekly destinations
Quantity needed EVERY week 80
Quantity assigned 12/9-12/15 42

Shortage 38
Monthly destinations
Quantity needed each month 135
Quantity assigned this month 26
Shortage 109  

 

 and as you can see, we definitely have a shortage.  Here is the challenge posted by our Destination Cordinator: 

the First Annual New Year’s Day QOV Sit & Sew!
Here’s how it works.
1. Respond to this message and let everyone know you’re participating.

2. Spread the word; ask your friends and guild members to join in!!!!!!!!
3. Pick a pattern that meets the minimum requirements for a QOV, http://www.qovf.org/content/basic-qov-requirements.html but that you feel you can piece in a single day. Select and cut your fabric in December (great excuse to spend a few moments in your sewing space!)
4. On January 1st Sit & Sew. Post your progress that day on Yahoo Chat, Facebook, QOVF Blog, your own blog…..wherever you want.
5. When your top is finished, request a volunteer longarmer http://www.qovf.org/req-longarmer.html or arrange to have it quilted by a volunteer longarmer in your area (if you have one)
6. After your quilt is finished (bound, labeled, washed & in a presentation case), request a destination http://www.qovf.org/req-destination.html and put NYD S&S in the comments field of the request form. You will receive information on where to send your quilt and your name will then be entered into a drawing for prizes (to be announced)
7. A winner will be drawn for every 13 NYD S&S quilts, which are completed by March 13, 2013, for which a destination is requested. So the sooner you finish your quilt, the better your chance is of winning.
8. Remember that our overseas destinations request red, white & blue, non-gender specific quilts so please keep this in mind when selecting your pattern and fabrics.
I hope many of you will join me in kicking off 2013 by making a New Year's Day Quilt of Valor to provide honor and comfort to a service member touched by war…..

Just wondering

Anyone else in the New Years Day QOV Sew-in?  Susie was over the other day to help me with those borders...remember those tops that came back undersize (Thank you so much, Susie.  SO much easier working with a partner!) and she brought along a block idea that I might have to copy and do it too.  What a great way to start off the New Year!

I read a post on FB that said:  68,000 American Troops Still Serve in Afghanistan...Remember them

PS...Heads UP:   Remember that the next QOV Sew-in is BYOP---Bring Your Own Pattern.  Bring in your own string pattern that you want to work on...maybe an extra copy or two to share, if you so choose.   You might have a book or I just went online and looked for ideas.  Lots of free patterns online.   Have in mind  what color scheme you want to do.  You'll be able to pull out (very carefully, I hope) your strips for a quilt top.   These strips range in size from 1 1/2" - 2".   

Also note that we are NOT meeting on the first Tuesday in January, but the 2nd Tuesday, January 8th (due to the holiday).
Rita

Great job, but always room for reminder...

Took me as long to put away stuff from the last sew in as always and I wasn't there the whole day.  Thank you for what you do!!!  And Thank you for all the birthday wishes---still celebrating  (family today).  My biggy is 6 years yesterday!!!!

I need to remind everyone, cause I don't know where some of these tops came from, that the MINIMUM size of a QOV is 55 x 65 inches!  Just this week I came home with 6 tops that are undersize!   Need to add borders so that we can use them.  One of the problems is the 1/4" seam.  The kits we make are cut so that WITH a 1/4" seam they are to size.  Check and recheck your 1/4" seam.  Check and recheck to see if you even have the seams together!  It adds work to us especially because the kits are made in advance and we no longer have access to the fabric used, so need to work on locating some sort of matching fabric.  It takes time from someone (guess who) to fix seams that are overlooked.  Don't forget to put a running stitch 1/8" around the outer border so that the seams don't come apart---again, another issue for the machine quilter.

It bears repeating that this is not a race.  Yes, we need quilts but it is VERY time consuming to undo and fix.  I don't believe it is up to the machine quilters to do so.  So, if anyone has some free time and wants to help in adding these borders, let me know.

Also, leave a note with the quilt top or quilt with your first name and last initial only if you pieced and cut, or quilted the quilt so the label will be correct.   A lot of these quilts are going out without the name of the quilter and it should be included (rules)

I hope your December is going great and you are getting all your projects done.  I love this time of year!!
Rita

A New Years Day QOV challenge from our Destination Coordinator

I'm passing along a challenge presented to all of us.  If you are interested, let me know:


New Year’s Day QOV Sit & Sew
For the past three years, during the hectic days of December, I have taken a little “me” time to pick a patriotic quilt pattern and have selected and cut all the fabrics needed to make it. Then on January 1st, I sit down at my sewing machine with a goal of piecing the entire top that day. To me, it’s a great way to start the New Year.
So, this year I would like to ask all of you to join me in the First Annual New Year’s Day QOV Sit & Sew!
Here’s how it works.
1. Respond to this message and let everyone know you’re participating.

2. Spread the word; ask your friends and guild members to join in!!!!!!!!
3. Pick a pattern that meets the minimum requirements for a QOV, http://www.qovf.org/content/basic-qov-requirements.html but that you feel you can piece in a single day. Select and cut your fabric in December (great excuse to spend a few moments in your sewing space!)
4. On January 1st Sit & Sew. Post your progress that day on Yahoo Chat, Facebook, QOVF Blog, your own blog…..wherever you want.
5. When your top is finished, request a volunteer longarmer http://www.qovf.org/req-longarmer.html or arrange to have it quilted by a volunteer longarmer in your area (if you have one)
6. After your quilt is finished (bound, labeled, washed & in a presentation case), request a destination http://www.qovf.org/req-destination.html and put NYD S&S in the comments field of the request form. You will receive information on where to send your quilt and your name will then be entered into a drawing for prizes (to be announced)
7. A winner will be drawn for every 13 NYD S&S quilts, which are completed by March 13, 2013, for which a destination is requested. So the sooner you finish your quilt, the better your chance is of winning.
8. Remember that our overseas destinations request red, white & blue, non-gender specific quilts so please keep this in mind when selecting your pattern and fabrics.
I hope many of you will join me in kicking off 2013 by making a New Year's Day Quilt of Valor to provide honor and comfort to a service member touched by war…..

Downers Grove Quilt Guild

I really don't know if that's their name, but that's where 8 finished quilts came from yesterday.  Thank you Anna and it was nice meeting you and your friend.  It is great seeing that the "thank you"  mission of covering our veterans is spreading.

As I was telling Anna yesterday, I keep getting contacted by people requesting quilts.  Met Rosemarie who is involved with the veterans going thru the court system in Lake County.  When these veterans are thru, they have a graduation ceremony that they want us to be a part of.

The group of Marine wives and parents from Addison who have deployed family members, not only are requesting quilts, but are sending monetary and fabric donations--Thank you!

See you at the sew-in today, we have quilts to make!
Rita

December Sew-In Reminder

Tuesday, December 4, 10 AM at Prairie Star Quilt Shop, we gather for another sew-in!   We have supplies for paperpiecing,Reverse Rainbow Starburst Block (thank you, Cheryl), to name a couple options to work on.  You'll want to have your quilting supplies for this (rotary cutter, maybe a small mat so you don't have to keep getting up to trim/press, and a small ruler)

As long as you have those supplies out, bring them along in January.  NOTE:  Our regularly scheduled sew-in will be the 2nd Tuesday, January 8)  Now, for January, just another reminder, you will be surfing the internet for strip piecing patterns.  You can google "strip piecing patterns", Quiltville.com, or any other author for free patterns.  We have several boxes of all colors (except pink and florals) to come up with some really nice tops.

Evening Sew-in:  We are on the calendar for an evening sew-in in January:  Thursday evening, January 24.  I've had a few requests for evening sew-ins, so we will be scheduling a few.

See you Tuesday!
Rita

PS.   If you have never been to or presented a QOV and would like to be a part of a small presentation late December, let me know.  It is an experience I wish all of you could witness.

Two presentations

Yesterday LOLQOV had the honor of presenting two QOV's.  Welcome home, Thomas L (Army), and Matt G (Marine).

A "BYOP" Sew In coming up

Just a heads up for upcoming sew-ins (2013)....   It's been repeatedly suggested that I provide squares/triangles/rectangles, etc. and have everyone just bring their own pattern/idea.  So, I am going to take that suggestion (thank you) for maybe the January sew-in....just a reminder here as well---there will be NO sew-in on Jan 1, 2013...instead, we will be meeting the following Tuesday, Jan 8)

So, bring in a "strip" pattern and I'll bring in the strips!  You can find free patterns by googling it on the internet.  We have browns, greens, aqua, yellow, orange, black and RWB (those are being worked on already).  Maybe you might want to bring in a color wheel.  You will need a rotary cutter, ruler and mat because these strips are various widths (up to 2 1/2") and are not all rectangular..unless you choose to work with a foundation..bring in squares of newspaper print or muslin in that case.  With the jelly roll patterns, you might have to do slight adjusting.  It'll be fun to see different ideas you come up with.  I have made up a few but it'll have to be visual cause I have no written patterns.

We will have paperpiecing at the December 4th sew-in.
Rita

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Enjoy your family..."Make memories".  Mrs. Matthews (a high school friend, Elaine's, Mom) once told me that and I thought that was great advice.
Rita

Strips, lots of strips

Anita M, if you would email me ...I don't have your email address.  You mailed me a string pattern and I've got an idea!
Rita

wheww, what a week

I realized I haven't posted all week.  Not that there hasn't been any QOV related stuff going on.  Remember that donation of strips I got a couple weeks ago.  Well, I have been sorting and sorting thru those. Thought I'd sort according to color.  Pulled all the pinks,  and florals and those will go to our guild's charity person.  Those are put into kits for preemies and I don't remember what else.

Have also been searching for string patterns.  Made up a few ideas and I welcome any you might send me.

Our guild is hosting a first ever scraps gathering next Friday... couldn't have come at a much better time.  This is a chance  to learn how to sort, cut up, and organize scraps.  I've been doing this for years now, but I'm always open for ideas.  Just have to decide which bag of scraps to bring along!
Rita

Another great Winfield Sew-In

I tell you, these keep getting bigger and larger.  Someone said they counted 24 workers (working the pressing table was our first male).  Came home with 6 completed tops...some took theirs home to complete and took extra kits to complete as well.  Thank you Ladies Auxiliary for setting this event up.  Have been told it'll be an annual event right around Veterans Day again next year--looking forward to it.  Thank you also Hawthorne's Backyard who provided lunch along with the various side dishes and desserts from the parish.  Thank you Donna for all your work.

I underestimated how many kits to bring--thank goodness I had the couple boxes of strips!
What a way to honor our Veterans on Veterans Day weekend.
Rita

THANK YOU

Yesterday I picked up a HUGE fabric donation from http://jellyrollfabric.net.  These are her "ends" and I tell you, there is every color you can imagine!  Have you ever wondered what 100 pounds of fabric is?  I believe he told me it was over that but I can't remember (find myself saying that more and more) what the exact weight was.  whew, about a dozen boxes of strips!  So, I've already been hunting for strip piecing patterns!  Thank you, Liz.
Rita

Sew In Saturday, November 10th

Saturday November 10, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, OS233 Church St., Winfield, IL 9 AM - 3 PM

Just wanted to alert you of the upcoming sew-in this weekend.  It is the 3rd annual sew in at this location.  Come with filled bobbins, ruler, scissors.  I suggest bringing a lunch.  I'll tell you otherwise if I hear more.
Rita

A couple more pics

Here are a couple more quilt tops from yesterday.  I have been collecting donated 16-patch (2 1/2" squares).  We then offset them with usually a snowball block, but forgot the 1/2 square triangles, so, we went with it.  The 2nd is patriotic churn dash blocks.   Hope to get more kits made of this one.
Rita

QOV pics from Sew In

Great attendance at the Sew-in today.  I think I heard there were 20 of us!  Haven't posted pictures of our blocks in awhile. The first 3 quilts are made from the two blocks at the top.  I have 9 settings using these two...it'll be fun to see the rest when they come in.  I used to be able to give a count of how many quilts came in, but (and I am NOT complaining here), some quilt tops stay at the shop and they are miraculously getting quilted and some quilted tops are left at the shop as well, and they too are getting done!!  Land of Lincoln QOV is a GREAT team!!!

Now, for the 3rd opportunity to come and make tops is this weekend in Winfield.  Address and further information is located on the right side of this blog.  Hope to see you --we need you!
Rita

2 1/2" strip ideas wanted

I forgot to ask...if you have any jelly roll ideas/patterns, books, bring them with you on Tuesday.  We have "mega" 2 1/2" strips and I'm looking for ideas.  Also could use help in sorting (light, medium, dark)...never was good at differentiating those mediums and darks.

thanks,
Rita

November Sew-In Reminder

Can't deny the lack of opportunity to get these quilts for our vets made!  We are approaching our monthly sew-in next week, Tuesday, Nov 6-- (Thanks Wanda for correcting me);--that's Election Day.  I have a few kits left from the project we started on Monday.  It's the 1/2 Log Cabin with 9 different settings--your choice!  So, the usual:   filled bobbins, quilting tools and a dish to pass---what would we do without our food :)    There's a note for me to bring along my DVD player and if I recall that means I am finally going to see that PBS Special on Quilts of Valor.

So, see you at Prairie Shop Quilts, 1911 W Wilson St.,10 AM.  If you can't make it at 10, come when you can cause some leave after a few hours of sewing for other commitments.  We need you--love to have you!

Rita

Welcome Home, Michael, and thank you for your service

QOV Presentation

Susie also presented a QOV to a Marine last night who is home on leave from his second deployment.  I'll get more info and post, but thought I'd post the pictures.  Sue had a very busy day yesterday--sewed all day and presented a quilt last night...thank you.

Always room for learning!

Had an enjoyable sew-in yesterday at Quiltfabric.com.  There were 7 guests from Great Lakes and they all took part in sewing some squares.  They were stitching and pressing!   I also love how they came in wanting to know the steps in getting a top done.  Who knows, maybe we have some new piecers and machine quilters!  We had a lesson on a quicker method of strip piecing a log cabin from Chris, thank you, Chris...always room for learning a new trick or two.  Theresa, from Moondance Diner donated lunch..Thank you, Theresa.  It was very tasty, and filling! 

Well, hope the pictures tell more of the fun we had.

Fundraising Idea

Is there someone who is familiar with selling on Ebay?  Alberta made up this quilt top (made up of donated blocks and at the quilter now) which was made with the intention of raising money for our expense fund.  The last quilt we raffled brought in a nice sizable amount but it was at the Farmers Market twice a week in the summer and a couple quilt shows.  Well, I (and hubby) didn't do that this year.  So, I was thinking, maybe try it on Ebay.  So, if you can help me on this, I would appreciate it.

Rita

Ready

ok, we're ready for the QOV sew-in on October 30th at Quiltfabric.com in Westmont (Rt 83 and 34).  Kits are made up...we'll be packing quilts for pick up (I hope to hear from them soon to verify where the RWW (February)  is going to be held so we can get a member there and how many--they estimated 100).   I did tell you that the Captain along with a few sailors are visiting us, didn't I?

What you'll need...sewing machine, filled bobbins and quilting notions (rotary cutter, ruler, etc).  Any questions, give me a call.

Rita

PS..prayers still needed for one of our own.  I did hear from my brother and ALL IS OK!!

Prayers needed

Thought I'd ask for prayers for a couple people going through some medical testing.  The waiting is very hard.  I pray for good results..and their medical team as well.

a few pics from the show

Great Show!

Oh, I hope you were able to attend the show this weekend.  I did see some of you linger for hours.  I was there for two days and I wonder if I really saw all the quilts!  It's a biannual show...our guild starts planning for the next one right away!

For LOLQOV, we had some machine quilters step up and take 13 quilt tops!!  A lot of women (and men) taking the handouts for the Basic Information, our monthly sew-ins and the handout on the upcoming sew-ins in Winfield and Westmont.  More hands--less work for the rest of us!!  And our troops get covered!  I also enjoyed putting some faces to the names of some of our machine quilters  who pick up tops at the shop.  Some stopped by as well.  I hate that I'm getting worse at remembering names, so ya just might have to remind me...again and again.  Don't get me started on the "golden" years!

Oh, and we had a couple presentations...two Vietnam veterans.  That was neat...it was spontaneous and I am so glad that members of my guild were able to witness.  I get asked..so what does a quilt do for them?  Well, ya just have to experience a presentation to really know.   I really wasn't prepared.  Brought quilts for the display but didn't have any pillowcases with me.  Well, we had a QOV dropped off and it was neat that she got to see whom her quilt went to.  Hope to get a picture or two from someone to be able to post.

So, onto getting the kits ready for the sew-in October 30th.
Rita

Come see us at the QOV booth

Just got back from setting up at the Quilt Show.  

WHEN:     Friday, October 12, 2012  9:00am to 6:00pm                 
                 Saturday, October 13, 2012 9:00am to 6:00p
LOCATION:       DUPAGE COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS
2015 West Manchester Road
Wheaton , IL 60187

RIP, Linda M

Lost a friend today.  Linda is a member of the group I meet up with in Morris.  She made it up from Channahon to some of the QOV sew-ins.  Very neat lady.  Your battle is over, Linda.

Rita

October 30---Save the Date!

As you know, we are having a QOV sew-in at Quiltfabric.com in Westmont.  Just got word that the Captain and a few sailors from Great Lakes Naval Base will be visiting.  Come out with your sewing machines and help us make tops for our returning troops.  Find out first hand what it means to our heroes.

Rita

QOVF Destination Report

Weekly destinations

Quantity needed EVERY week      80

Quantity assigned 9/30-10/6          80

Shortage                                                  0

 

Monthly destinations

Quantity needed each month      125

Quantity assigned this month        5

Shortage                                              120   

 

Guild Day!

Very interesting and enjoyable speaker at guild today.  Even though I shy away from modern quilting, WOW!  She was Jacquie Gering and her trunk show was really inspiring, to say the least.

QOV related, I came home with tops that need binding...dropped off a few tops that members volunteer to quilt.  I tell you I have met up with a whole bunch of neat people in this mission to thank our vets!!  If we really think about it...if it weren't for our veterans, we couldn't have the "peace" to play with the fabric we play with..our machines!!  We are truly blessed.

Rita

Sew in Report

Running a bit late on this, but you all knew we were headed to the Zoo yesterday.  Weatherwise, I wouldn't have planned it that way, but kinda nice going thru the whole zoo with not a whole lot of people there!!

Sew-in...ahhh, love how we find out what works for the group and what doesn't!!  But in the end, I think we're going to have one really nice top!  Got over a dozen backings on some tops---THANK YOU, PAT and your "crew"!!  That was just the patriotic tops, I have about 10 tops here that I try to match up backings with what we've got.  If we get them all quilted, we'll be in very good shape.  BIG IF, but I know it will happen thanks to our great machine quilters.  We sure have a great group of ladies/gentlemen who step up and support our troops as well.

Hope to see you at the Prairie Star Quilt Show next weekend.  It's another great opportunity for us to raise money for fabric, batting, postage, etc.

Working on the kits for the sew-in on October 30th.  I showed some of you the patterns (1/2 log cabin) and I'm pleased you like it...  I try!  Which brings up something.   Some of you have handed me a pattern to your liking and saying, "thought this would be nice for QOV".  And I agreed.  So, why don't you come by and pick out some fabrics and let's make up some kits.  I really like your input on ideas, but welcome your help at cutting.   I should say "NEED" your help at cutting.

Rita

Destination Report

Just received the most recent destination report from the Destination Coordinator for QOVF:

Weekly destinations

Quantity needed EVERY week      95

Quantity assigned 9/23-9/29         51

Shortage                                                44

 

Monthly destinations

Quantity needed each month    125

Quantity assigned this month      48

Shortage                                               77  

Welcome Home Indiana National Guard

We've been reading about the 713th Engineer Company who left Valparaiso for Afghanistan nearly a year ago and have returned home...well, 89 of them.  That's the same company that our very own hero, Christopher Peterson,  (North Aurora, IL) was from.  As you recall he was killed in January in a roadside bombing.  They lost 6 members--considered to be the mostly deadly deployment in the history of the National Guard.

The Regional Coordinator from Indiana has been putting out requests for RWB quilts for their welcoming home ceremony.  As she is a fairly new RC, she started with  no quilts on hand...I think she's up to less than 10.. I met up with her this past month and gave her 5 tops (she has 5 ladies who have Statlers!)

It is a little easier to recruit quilters when we tell them we give quilts to our "local" heroes.   You know where would Illinois be without our other states!  Illinois isn't fighting this war alone.  I'm hoping we'll be able to help our neighbor by crunch time... December.

Rita

October 2nd---QOV sew-in Reminder

We will again be meeting at Prairie Shop Quilts, Batavia, 10 AM - ??  Know that if you can't make it at 10---come when you can.  I hear some shy away cause we tend to get a bit crowded.  Well, some stay for a couple hours and we tend to have more room as the day goes on.

NOTE:   if you're coming and just want to cut, bring a rotary cutter and your rulers.  Do know that there are only a few stations for cutting and pressing.  We need your machines!  For the pattern I'm bringing we all will need a small mat with at least a 6 1/2" ruler...and some pins.  The pattern is called Rail Fence Pinwheel.

We bring a dish to pass...everyone should do this.  Maybe we'll plan our meal for next month as we might be having company from Great Lakes.

If you can help me at the booth at the Prairie Star Quilt Guild next month---see details on the right of this blog---please let me know.  Maybe come for a few hours to give me a break!  The dates are:  Friday and Saturday, October 12-13, 9 AM - 6 PM.  Location is DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton.  They have given us a booth---come out and show support.   It IS a really nice quilt show!!   I've got tops---I just need help in getting them quilted.   We'll be meeting together to make more tops at our monthly sew-ins (first Tuesdays of the month), October 30 and November 10th  (see details on the side)

Rita

NOT BAD

Just a handful of us and we got quite a bit done in my opinion.  Came home with 6 finished tops (only one needing writing on a label).  We worked on some disappearing nine-patch blocks that have been sitting around here for quite some time.  Good to see them made up in a couple quilt tops!   Nice meeting Sue and Janet...and of course thanks to the help of Dorothy and Pat as well!

Now we prepare for the next sew-in!  Oh, and heads up---I think we're getting company in November...will know for sure later, of course.

Rita

Sew-In Tonight

Due to requests for an evening sew-in, as there are working people in our midst, we have scheduled tonight for a night of sewing for the troops!  I'll probably be there by 5:30.  There is a new-to-us pattern I like to try with our 2 1/2" strips ---can't remember the name right now.  So, see you tonight?

Rita

TWO Upcoming Sewing Retreats

 I am announcing two upcoming events.  Quiltfabric.com has been a huge supporter to Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor.  Last month they moved from their Willowbrook address to a new MUCH larger location.  If you haven't been there yet to check it out, come on out on Tuesday, October 30 for a Quilt of Valor sew-in.  We will have kits available and if you are not able to stay, pick up a kit and return it to the shop.  Chris has agreed to accept tops for Quilts of Valor.   You may also want to donate fabric (oh, do our troops LOVE Red/white and blue quilts!), again, drop off good quality fabric and we will make up more kits.  

The next "retreat" has become an annual event with the show of support from Winfield, IL.   Again, they provide a huge hall, lots of space to sew.   This is our third year and each year we get more and more volunteers.  We need you!

I get a destination report from the Quilt of Valor Foundation like this:  
Weekly destinations
Quantity needed EVERY week 90

Quantity assigned       76

Shortage 14

Monthly destinations

Quantity needed each month 125

Quantity assigned this month 19

Shortage 106

Your help is needed.  Let's show the Illinois patriotism!!  I have tops that need quilting.  Will you help us get these finished and to our troops.  These quilts ARE making a difference.  It's a quilter's way of Service to our country by giving a small thank you for what they sacrifice for us.

Put these dates on your calendar and let's see how we can make a difference!!

Tuesday, October 30, 10 AM - ? (shop is open until 5 PM), Quiltfabric.com, Rt 83 and Ogden in St. James Crossing (818 Ogden, Westmont).  They have moved to a much bigger store.

Saturday, November 10, 9 AM - 5 PM, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, OS233 Church St., Winfield.

Rita

Sunday Presentation

Yesterday, Sue had a presentation to two Marines (Mark and Joe).  Here are some pictures and a few words from Sue.  Thank you, Sue!

---

It went just fine.   It was a nice little ceremony, complete with fire, police, and motorcycle escort.  Even Joe Walsh showed up to give a congressional thanks and certificate. 

I have attached pictures that I captioned.  Feel free to delete the captions.

Mark is the one who returned while Joe will be redeploying back to Afghanistan next month.

 

Thanks for the opportunity to be there.

Susie

Checking in

Been working on a new-to-us pattern for the September 20th evening sew-in, the one I showed you at the Tuesday Sew-in, Rail Fence Pinwheel.  I made up a block and have gathered the strips and 1/2 square triangles.  Going to be tricky, but we can do it!  With the way it's raining today, maybe I'll make up a few more.. or put backings on the tops I brought home the other day.  Never a dull moment!

Rita

Considering our change of plans...

it was a very successful sew in yesterday!  I came home with 24 pieced tops and 7 completely bound (a couple just needing a label)!  Not all of these are made at the sew-in...some are finished projects from last month's sew in as I know if you don't get it done,  you take it home to finish.  Some just make a few on their own from scraps.   I again, offer you access to my HQ16 if you're interested in helping us get some of these tops quilted, btw.

We'll probably take up the paper piecing project next month but I'm happy to say we are ready.  We have two "jelly rolled" tops ready for blocking and inserting our flying geese!  For those who took home scraps to cut and didn't get the different sizes we need:  cut a 3 1/2" strip and make those into 3 1/2" squares and the rest 2 1/2" strips.  Thank you, that will be a HUGE help.

Remember we have an evening QOV sew-in scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 5 PM - 8.

Rita

Worth blogging about!

You know at that speech/presentation Cheryl and I went to on Tuesday, they referred to "angels" in their lives.  Well, I need to brag about all the angels working on this mission that I have met. I am truly surrounded.  Today was WANDA and DIXIE DAY!  Wanda takes time out of her busy day (follow her blog to prove it) and comes and puts the donated fabrics together so they look good in a quilt!  We had received quite a bit of fabric (8 bags full) that needed sorting, folding, etc.  Well, she put together approximately 20 (5 each) groupings for the kits that Dixie volunteers to cut up!!!  PLUS Wanda took some smaller pieces to cut into the 2 1/2" squares/1/2 sq triangles/strips that we use a lot of!!  YUP, more ANGELS!!!

Thank you, thank you!!!

September QOV Sew-in Reminder Notice!!

Tuesday, September 4th--that's right, day after Labor Day this month.  We meet at Prairie Shop Quilt, Batavia, IL (for our newbies)--shop opens at 10 AM and we can stay until 3, 4(ish) or come and stay a few hours.  Again, we will have choices:  paper piecing, stripping (2 1/2 and 1 1/2" strips), and there are a couple more kits that need finishing.  I have a few tops for binding as well.  If you want to paper piece, you will need to have a small cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler and a pressing tool (might be easier that when you come in to sit together, btw).  We also bring a dish to pass.

We get a booth at the Prairie Star Quilters Guild's Show this year.  Please sign up to help.  This is our chance to raise money and spread the word of what we do.   More hands means less work!  The dates are:  Friday and Saturday, October 12-13, 9 AM - 6 PM.  Location is DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton.   http://www.dupagecountyfair.org/Fairground_Maps.php

See ya Tuesday, Rita

Semper Fi Family Platoon

Last night Cheryl and I had the honor of visiting with the Semper Fi Family Platoon in Addison, IL.  This is a group of parents and wives of Marines who are  deployed or will be in the near future. I've added their website to places where our quilts will be going. The conversations that went on  between these very supportive members brought the war closer to me.  Thank you Kathy for inviting us.  They heard of Quilts of Valor when one of their own received a quilt at a Welcoming home ceremony, so they wanted to hear more.  We might have found a new QOV sewing place in the near future!

I was asked to bring along quilts to show.  Well, I threw in a "few" quilts!  In walked some Marines whom I later found out had up to 4 deployments!  Well, the speech turned into a presentation--unbelievable that I had enough quilts.  I'll post pictures when I get them.  This is what it's all about isn't it!

Rita

ok, you ask what you will need..

I haven't had this much excitement for our sew-in since...can't remember.  You ask what you will need for paperpiecing.... bring along a small cutting board, a rotary cutter and ruler.   With paperpiecing, I "press" with a small wooden piece.  It can be a clothespin, or if you have the special "tool" for fingerpressing, bring that along.  So, it's sew, press and trim.  See ya next week.

Rita

Paperpiecing

OK, it's confirmed.  One of the options you will have at the next sew-in will be paperpiecing.  I'm excited for those who mentioned last month that you would like to learn.  That is how I started quilting, so I hope you will like it.  I think it's a love/hate thing.   I actually enjoy it.  More later

Rita

OK, I'm back!

Well, really haven't gone anywhere, but been very busy with an engagement party we held here this past weekend for our daughter who is getting married next year.

So, I have fabrics to sort, fold to get ready to make into kits. If you have some time and would like to help in the cutting, and the making into kits, let me know.   Have several tops here that need quilting, so if you have some time to take a few, that would be great.  We have to remember now, that NO LAST NAMES ON THE LABELS!  Our next scheduled QOV sew-in is Wednesday, September 4th, so, just a little time to prepare for that.

I will also need to have names of helpers for working the booth at the Prairie Star Quilt Show Friday and Saturday, October 12-13, 9 AM - 6 PM.  This biannual show is held at the DuPage Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton.

With the temperatures cooling down a bit, hope you are getting the best of what's left of summer.
Rita

Presented 23 Quilts of Valor

Last night we presented 23 QOV's to Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan.  Welcomeyouhome.com had a fundraiser in Joliet with the evening starting out with the Color Guard presenting the flag, with bagpipes playing patriotic music.  They showed a video of past welcoming home veterans.  If you ever get a chance to attend one of these, it is an awesome experience.   You can sign up for their emails on their website for future veterans coming home.    Rita

Another great sew-in

Well, for me, it was great to be back...missed you guys!  I should remember to use the camera I take so I could post pictures of our show-and-tell session.  If you find you can make it to Saturday's presentation, give me a call.  Everyone needs to experience a presentation!

So, maybe see you at the evening sew-in on September 20th!
Rita

Sharing a Thank You Note

Not that I feel I need to tell you how much these quilts mean to our veterans, but I'd like to share a thank you note we received: 
Rita,

What can our family say, other than an attempt of a most humbled thankfulness of such generosity and thoughtfulness of the quilts given to us at RWW in Chicago. Thinking about it still moves me very much...even more so: solidifying our families' resolve to answer our Country's call again, if we are needed. Mr. Joe Filer, I believe made our family's quilt. Could you make sure he gets this message? Thank you so much for what you do. I really do believe the work LOLQOV does is immeasurable. God bless you all and God bless these United States of America.

Tuesday, August 7th QOV Sew-in Reminder

This is your sew-in reminder for August 7th.  I am bringing along a few different patterns to work on, so we need sewing machines!  Bring along your rotary cutter, small mat, and  ruler.  Also, if you would, check your calendar to see if you are available for the evening of August 11th for a presentation.  I should have more information by Tuesday.

Thank you, thank you for all you do.  The donations are so much appreciated as well.  We are blessed with some generous donations.  As I stated in a previous blog, we do need to keep away from pinks and floral  quilts.  I have a handful of female quilts that just don't move.  Can't say enough about how generous you are with your time both at the sew-ins and so many take things to finish at home.   If you start a kit at the sew-in,  it's wise to keep it even if you need to bring it back to the next sew-in.  Our machines are so different and that makes it so for our 1/4" seam allowances. Speaking of which, all our kits are made for 1/4" seam allowances.  To take a kit and sew 1/2" seam allowance---that changes the required size---can't have that.   We also could use some help cutting and making up the kits.  See you on Tuesday!  Rita

PLEASE NO MORE!

No more pink, big floral quilts.  I have several female quilts here waiting for a female vet.  Can't tell you how long they have been here.  We need NO more please.  Thank you.  Rita

Tentative Date for Winfield QOV Sew-In

There is a tentative date for the Annual Winfield QOV Sew-in.  It is now scheduled for November 10th.  More details to follow.  So, pencil that date in.

Rita

Date for next Evening Sew-in

We will continue our evening sew-ins starting September 20th.  We begin at 5:30.  Right now, we're thinking every other month.

Good showing

The day at the show yesterday was quite productive.  It's really a nice little show.  It's being held all weekend, so come on out and see us.  I love the answer from one lady when we were asking people to sign a block for a donation.  She said, "How can anyone say no!".   Yeah, my sentiments exactly :)

Batavia Quilt Show

We are set up for the show this weekend.  It is located at:  Batavia Quilt & Textile Show 14 N. Van Buren, Batavia, IL.  Today, it is open from 1-6 PM.  Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM.   Come on out!

Thoughts from Susie

Hey Rita,

  Am finally getting around to collecting my thoughts and impressions from Saturday.

  What a blessing to know that by participating in my favorite activity...making quilts...can bring some measure of peace and comfort to one who may bestruggling with the complexities of re-entry.  Like you said, to see the looks and smiles on their faces was just priceless.  I am so glad that I can use my time and talemtsin retirement for such a worthy cause.

  Attached are some of the better pictures I took.  I hope they are useful.

Susie

and from Dorothy: 
 This is my first time at the RWW Banquet.  To see all our men getting a quilt.  All the thanks we got.  I am so glad I am doing quilts for QOV.  They do so much for us and giving them a quilt is wonderful how they appreciate  them. Dorothy

More pics from RWW...
 Dessert, yum!

 This captain is retiring...

 Quilts bring a smile to everyones face...

 Here the facilitators are ready to give out the quilts...

 Here is Rita, out of her comfort zone. Good job, Rita!

 Then we signed labels...

 Proud to be an American...