Sew In Reminder Notice and.............

Our next meeting at Prairie Star Quilt Shop, Batavia, is Tuesday, March 3rd.  We have a "special guest" coming.  If you have projects started, bring those to work on.  We need sewing machines!  There are only a couple posts for pressing and a couple cutting locations.  If no room to sit and sew, one usually opens up after a couple hours or so.

Following is a well-thought up note from our Elgin group.  They have been bundling our tops with backings and batting:  

We respect the desire to thank our military in the quilts you work diligently to make.

Frequently we get tops that are undersized or oversized. 

The minimum size for a Quilt of Valor is 55" x 65" after quilting and binding.  If a top comes in at that measurement or less on either side, after quilting it will be undersized.  Quilting causes shrinkage.  It is necessary for someone to add a border, adding another step before we can send it to be quilted.

While much larger tops are acceptable Quilts of Valor, there are some factors to consider.
Larger tops require more batting and backing, adding up to more of a drain on our funds.  The long arm quilters are volunteers and a large quilt requires more of their time and expense.  It also costs you the piecer more time and money.  Most of our quilts are presented in groups.  It is awkward to have one recipient get a huge quilt while others receive a lap size one.

When you plan a quilt a good rule of thumb is 58" wide and 68" long.

See you Tuesday!

Arlington Heights QOV Sew In

Today the LOLQOV - Arlington Heights group presented a QOV to Charles H (Marine/Vietnam).

Thank you, Sir, for your serivce.

Pics from Sew In in Yorkville

Sew-in in Yorkville today... Lots of our newbies from the National Sewing Day returned!!! 14 is what I counted...not to mention the few who dropped in to drop tops off, picked up quilts to quilt...oh yeah love when that happens!!! You see a few of our Bento Box tops from Sewing Day have been completed.

And we meet again!!

QOV sew in reminder notice....Sewing Etc, Yorkville, 10 am ---- Tuesday, February 17. There is talk about bringing potluck back?

Booth at Rosemont

We have been asked again to have a booth at the Show in Rosemont.  I've asked around being that I will be out of town.  Now, to be in this show we have a booth fee.  Terri has sent me info on how we can earn money toward that fee and have maybe a booth next year.

The International Quilt Festival/Chicago needs your help! While you work for us you can earn money for your group! Please go to www.quilts.com/worktheshows/Chicago to read all about “working the show!” We need hangers, guardian during hanging (a sit-down job), guardians during the show (a walk around job), door people, food court police and help with takedown (I will feed you dinner ; ). You will earn $8.25 an hour, get your parking paid and receive free entry each day you work. Shifts range from 3.5 to 9 hours depending on what you would like to do. All hours will be credited to the group of your choice. I hope to hear from you soon! 

So, if you're going anyway, free parking, free entry and money for QOV.  Let me know if you are interested so I can forward your name/email to Terri.

LOLQOV - Elgin

The Elgin group had their sew-in yesterday.  Here is their show-n-tell

catching up........

So, you actually do read this blog!  I got emails...no pictures from the Batavia Sew-in?   How about.  So, backing up a bit...  Batavia Sew In Feb 3rd...  We awarded a QOV to a Veteran as well.   Thank you Andrea for your service.  Here are pics!

Now it brings us to Saturday, Feb 7th, the QOV National Sewing Day

thank you Gentlemen for your Sacrifice, and Service.

You are the BEST, Land of Lincoln!!! Check the numbers!

What a success.  I'm still counting how many participated at the different locations!  You can all chime in and report your doings.  Like to thank Cheryl and Marilyn for helping us get a mighty fine lunch spread!  The room(s) looked so festive!!

Kelly--yikes, she just jumps in and makes the place shine!  I can't think of anything that was forgotten...Got a little worried when I handed out my last kit!  I'll work on getting photos posted here, but I was taking photos with my iPad and you've heard the story---have to resend to myself and then upload..bla bla bla.

We had scheduled numerous presentations at most of our locations.  Would love to have those pictures as well.  Yorkville surprised two gentlemen---always a treat!  There was a very nice written article in the local paper.  There were people stopping by the shop to check it out the day before.  One, being our Veteran (Vietnam) came in and didn't know how to use a sewing machine.  Judy was gracious enough to give him a sewing lesson.  Art was doing great...what a celebrity (modest one of course) he was with friends stopping in to see him.  Batavia had one, I believe Schaumburg had 3,  And Carol Stream 4.  So, that's 10!!!

So, my count has me at 53.  Batavia 15; Yorkville 18; Sugar Grove 11; Schaumburg had 8? plus Norma ...quilting at home!  Carol Stream, how many did you have?  Not bad, Land of Lincoln!!!!

Now the next count will be number of quilt tops.  Three tops done Saturday.  I know I handed out 11 kits.
Rita...feeling very grateful to be a part of this!!

Today's sewing locations

Join us at: 
Prairie Shop Quilts Shop, Batavia, 10-4 PM

Sewing Etc., Yorkville, (10 AM - 4 PM)

Joann Fabrics, 301 S Barrington Rd., Schaumburg (noon - 8 PM)

Debby Long's house, 429 Shelburne Dr., Carol Stream

Sugar Grove Firehouse Meeting Room, Sugar Grove

Questions?  

Email:  rita.pennington@qovf.org or garipenn@att.net for more info

Join  us on Facebook:  Illinois Quilts of  Valor

NOT been cancelled

if you got an email like I got an email last night, the Quilt of Valor sewing day has NOT been cancelled.  For reasons unknown to me or our scheduled leader for that location, I guess that location has been cancelled.  We have 5 other locations!!  Some of you have already switched and I am very happy with your dedication to the cause of covering our veterans!!  our veterans Thank you..  See you in Batavia, Yorkville, Sugar Grove, Carol Stream or Schaumburg.  We are waiting for you.  Fill those bobbins and come and join us.  Each location will have enough kits.
Rita

Reminder!!

Well, this is your reminder of tomorrow's sew-in... Prairie Shop Quilts, Batavia.  BUT, also remember to make sure you check here or on our Facebook page for any cancellation.  Bring in any unfinished project...let's clean it up and see where we are on outstanding projects.  We have several tops needing backings as well.

Hope you have signed up for the QOV Sewing Day this coming Saturday at a location near you!

We are expecting a special guest.
Rita