Sew-in reminder notice and a Save The Date!!

 We have a sew-in this Tuesday, January 2nd!! Moose Lodge, and we start around 9:30 (ish).  Will you be there!!

AND, Saturday, February 3rd is National Sew Day!
This will be a fun and exciting day as quilters from across our nation come together to sew for Quilts of Valor! There will be prizes awarded all day to registered attendees. So, do not miss out on this fun sewing day, register to be a part of this wonderful day!

Rita

Tuesday, Dec 5, Moose Lodge, St. Charles

is the location of our Cut-in/kitting day.  We start at 9:30-???  It's also our potluck day.  Bring a dish and know that paper plates, napkins and silverware is covered.

We will be cutting and kitting that day, so no need to schlep the sewing machines!  We need your rotary cutters, mats, rulers and those who have the cutting machines along with dies (with your names on them, of course) and a few irons and ironing boards.  If you have a pattern you'd like us to try, figure it out with the required measurements (minimum 58 x 68  with a 55 x 65 finished) and let me know so I can bring along enough fabric.  If you're not comfortable cutting, we could use pressers and people to count the pieces (kitting) for each kit.
See you Tuesday~
Rita

Happy Thanksgiving!

We will NOT be meeting at the VFW this month nor in December. We will be meeting at the Moose Lodge in St. Charles the 1st Tuesday of December, December 5th. You are welcome to join us. We are having potluck (appetizers/snacks). Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Rita

Tuesday, Nov 7, 9:30 - ?

Sewing at the Moose, St.Charles!! Remind me to discuss potluck and idea cutting and kitting at our December meeting. Expecting a special guest Tuesday. Now, if you need a project/kit, let me know cause I have a whole lot of "stuff" to bring!!
Rita

from Deb S who awarded quilts for us:
I met up with 12 of the veterans from the 'group of 15' from Lake Zurich area library on Monday evening 10/23 to award them their quilts. I had 3 ladies from my quilt guild assist with this - - and they want to help again!!! Yes, I accomplished my mission of getting them 'hooked' about awarding quilts!
I've attached a photo of 11 of the 12 veterans with their quilts (one was the first to receive her quilt and then she left - - she had child responsibilities).

They were all very appreciative of receiving the quilt and the chatting and taking of photographs continued even after the 'event' was concluded. Three vets received quilts that I made, one even saying that I saw the one he was awarded at our quilt show when he attended!

Oh, and...CHANGE OF PLANS!!!!! for those who want to sew in Montgomery November and December. Ladies want to work on cutting batting and feel best done at our Montgomery location. Don't know if we will do both November and December, but we for sure be at one. Will let you know.
 

Sew in reminder notice-Rolling Meadows

Rolling Meadows group, first Saturday, November 4th, 9:30 till ? Shorewood Bible Church, 1900 North Hicks Rd., Rolling Meadows 

Bring your sewing machines and quilting supplies.  We have kits ready to sew and willing mentors to help you along if you are new to quilting.  If you feel you are too new to quilting or are just curious, we have pressing, cutting and kit assembly..so, you won't be bored.  We have chili for lunch, but you can bring  a side or snack IIt you like. 

Maggie Alvarado 

Gold star/ Blue star mom

October, Moose, St.Charles

Today's busy day..making quilts, backings on quilts, sorting fabric, 6 Veterans, and show and tell...oh yeah, and donuts!!! I know you can't see one, but it was a great moment. Our first veteran joined in with the awarding of a quilt. They told some interesting stories, too. Thank you gentlemen for your service.

Thank you for your service, Anthony R

Deb S awarded Anthony R his QOV.  He sent the following note:
Hello Deb,

I wanted to again say how appreciative I am for the time, effort, and love everyone put into my quilt. Sometimes it is tough to allow others to take care of me. I feel that taking care of others is the driving force at Quilts of Valor. With that said, it touches my heart not only to receive a quilt myself but in knowing that my veteran friends and family are being taken care of as well.

Please send my thanks and love to everyone along with my support for what they are doing.

Kind Regards,
Anthony

Tuesday, September 19, VFW Hall, Montgomery, 9:30-??

 is the location of our next QOV sewing/batting day! Lots to cut and wrap with batting, so help where you can! We have tons of room, so bring your friends. 
We have several requests for Veterans Week.  Let me know if you might want to join us at these award ceremonies: Wed, Nov 8, Glenbard Elementary; Friday, Cedarlake, Plainfield; haven't got a date for Oswego PD yet. Join us in wrapping our Veterans with your quilts.
Rita

September 5, Moose Lodge, St. Charles Sew In Reminder Notice

Moose Lodge, St Charles, sew in reminder notice. Tuesday, September 5, 9:30- Note: door will no longer be allowed to be propped open. Press the button to be buzzed in. We expect special visitors!! Am still looking for a couple more volunteers for Schaumburg Sewing Expo, September 28-30.

And Leslie writes:   I will be there to collect any completed PET BEDS. Please remember that I do not collect your scraps (except those we generate while at QOV that day). I will have extra fabric for cases if you need one.
See you Tuesday, Rita 

VFW, Montgomery Sew-In

As always, a very nice sew in with some lifetime friends. Had 3 special guests.  Thank you gentlemen for your service. It was nice hearing your stories.  Received a thank you note:  Rita, it was a pleasure to meet you and all of the other ladies there today. I want to thank you for the quilt that you presented to me today. The quilt is beautiful, I really like it. The work you all do is beautiful and I am sure all of the veterans deeply appreciate the hard work you put in. Again, thank you. Don LaChappell

Am looking for help to work the booth at the Original Quilting Expo in Schaumburg, September 28-30th.  Let me know.

Don't have pictures to share--need a new camera, sorry.
Rita

Schaumburg Sew Expo

We've been invited to have a booth at the Schaumburg Sewing Expo. Dates are September 28, 29 and 30th. It'll involve a sit and sew area, so, check your calendars and let me know your availability please.
Rita

Sew In Rolling Meadows

Sew-in Reminder Notice:

Rolling Meadows group First Saturday Aug. 5th 9:30 till ??? Shorewood Bible Church 1900 North Hicks rd. Rolling Meadows 

Bring your sewing machines and quilting supplies. We have kits available and willing mentors to help you along if you're new to quilting! If you feel to new to quilting or are just curious we have pressing, cutting and kit assembly..so, you won't be bored! bring along a lunch or there are a few places to eat near. We will have some foodies to share.

Maggie

Sew-in Reminder Notice: Montgomery, VFW, 121 N River St. Tuesday, July 18

We meet around 9:30 (ish) until - ?? Going to be as thorough as I can as we had a lot of newbies join here on our Facebook page after the Oswego Vietnam Wall weekend. Welcome newbies!! Bring your sewing machines and quilting supplies. We have kits available and very able bodies willing to help you along if you're new to quilting! If, and it happens, you're just curious, well we have pressing (could use another ironing board), cutting and kit assembly..so, you won't be bored! Most of us bring along a lunch--there are a couple restaurants nearby if interested.

We are also expecting a "special guest"...for the newbies, that means a Veteran expected to receive his Quilt of Valor!
Joyce is collecting your plastic bags. She makes "plarn" and crochets beds for the homeless. ..another great cause.
ok, now this: If you've been coming via Rt 31, please note:
"Motorists who drive Route 31 in Montgomery will want to avoid the four-lane highway beginning Saturday, July 15.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is scheduled to shutdown the highway on July 15 at 9 a.m. to allow contractors to replace the rail crossing just north of the Aucutt Road/Webster Street intersection."
At the Jericho light at Lake St, (Rt 31) make a left and an immediate first right turn (before the viaduct), to East Lake St. make a left onto Rathbone .. it'll take you to River St. Make right, cross Ashland and you're along the River to the VFW. Call me if you need to.
If you come in through Montgomery Rd. from the East, it should not affect you.
See you Tuesday!
Rita

Thank you, Marvin S, WWII, Navy!!

Quite an honor today to award Marvin S, a WWII, Navy Veteran his Quilt of Valor. Surrounded by family and friends, Marvin told his story. Thank you, Marvin for your service and get well soon!

Thank you Mr. Wegman/Sew In Reminder Notice

Today I had the privilege and honor of awarding Mr. Wegman his Quilt of Valor.  This is the write up that was posted about Mr. Wegman!!: 
Known as Chic Wegman, Robert grew up on Sheridan Street, and raised ten children in the Pigeon Hill neighborhood. He is a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 on a minesweeper in the Sea of Japan. Wegman is the founder of R.C. Wegman Construction Company, which he founded in 1955. The company has helped to literally build Aurora, and led the construction of the Hollywood Casino, RiverEdge Park, the Santori Public Library, Splash Country Water Park, the Vaughan Athletic Center, and several fire stations around the city, among many others. In addition, the company worked on the restoration of the Paramount Theatre and the Aurora Transportation Center.
A stalwart community partner, Wegman Construction has sponsored hundreds of activities, initiatives and community organizations over the years, including Aurora Area Girls Softball, Aurora East Education Foundation, Aurora Historical Society, Aurora Rotary Club, Aurora Township Youth Foundation, Aurora University, Catholic Charities Aurora, Fox Valley United Way, Juvenile Diabetes, Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center, Read with me Foundation, Salvation Army, The Compassion Foundation, WCC Foundation, West Aurora Alumni Association and many more.

This is also your sew in reminder notice for Tuesday, June 20, 9:30 -?, Montgomery VFW. So far there are 18 tops needing batting! Remember to bring in the squares you cut so we will know what we have left to cut for the August project. NOTE.. Tops need to be no less than 58 x 68" cause the finished minimum size is 55 x 65. We do this because quilting and washing does shrink them a bit. Enjoy the weekend. 
Rita

June 6, Sew In

Sew-in Reminder Notice...Moose Lodge, St. Charles, Tuesday, June 6, 9:30-??? Remember to bring in the cuttings. If you are not going to be there tomorrow, email me with your count so I can get these done prior to our Chicago event.  We won't be having a sew-in in July. Big possibility that Leslie won't be there this month but I'm to remind you: " If you are going to remind people about scraps, please tell them I do NOT collect scraps except for those generated at our QOV gathering. If they have their own scraps they must make a dog bed out of them and if they bring that In August I will get it to Anderson Animal Shelter. I can also bring fabric to make bed cases in August if they don't have any."

If you need a kit from me, please email me this morning as I am packing the car.

A HUGE thank you to Mary Ellen Middleton for the generous fabric donation yesterday. See you all Tuesday!
Rita

Welcome home, Tony C

Spring Grove, IL was the place to be Saturday. About a year ago, I got a call telling me this organization, A Soldier's Journey Home was building a home for Tony C. Would it be possible for him to get a quilt. Well, sure, I replied. She hesitated and said, Rita, the men building the home, they're veterans (well, some of them are). So, today with the help of Deb S, Sylvia, Gail and Barb at the "key ceremony" we awarded Tony his quilt along with 18 more veterans receiving theirs! We witnessed, again, the "brotherhood" of our Veterans. And do we have pictures! Note: See how we enlisted Tony in awarding the quilts!

Making Quilts Tuesday, May 16, VFW, Montgomery

We have a few tops to bundle and a LOT of cutting to do!!  I'll tell you more of the "kitting" opportunity we have coming up.  See you Tuesday, 9:30-????

This week's happenings:
On Friday, May 5th, Judge Mike H. from the Skokie Municipal District, awarded our quilts. He wrote: "It was AWESOME. It was awesome because of the participation of quilts of valor. I swear I get emotional just talking to the group about it before we even quilt them. I gave a few minutes on what QOV is all about as well as the fact that they went above and beyond in getting these quilts made as well as delivered. Thanks Ms. Schulze and I hope your mom's health is improving." And thank you from us, Beverly Schuetz Schulze for all the schlepping you do for us!

And, Sue and I were in Niles on Tuesday:
Roger wrote:  This is from this mornings presentation from Quilts of Valor Illinois by Rita Pennington and another lady with her. It was really very moving for ALL of us Vietnam Veterans and we want to thank everyone that makes these Quilts for Veterans. Just Wonderful we are all a buzz about receiving them. Going to make 4 more presentations tonight at our VVA Chapter #242 meeting and will post them also. These four were not at coffee this morning, and two tomorrow at the office where I work with two more Veterans one a Woman Desert Storm and the other a Vietnam Veteran a MP.

St. Charles Sew-in

Brought home 18 completed tops!! I have not counted how many bundles, but two bags full!! Thank you all who took home handfuls of fabrics for cutting in preparing to making kits. Drop me a line of how many you cut so I can bring more if necessary. Thank you Joe Toma for accepting the invite to visit. We loved your stories..inspires everyone confirming we are making a difference. Stop by anytime.

 ALSO:  Remember the Veteran we awarded a quilt to on Nat'l Sewing Day earlier this year. I just got a thank you note: "Dear Quilters, A warm thank you to your organization for uplifting the spirits of our veterans. Our mother, a WWII, W.A.V.E. Veteran, was viciously attacked and robbed in her home in Chicago on Dec. 7. " She writes that I nominated her for her quilt and it was actually, Barb, from the Village Quilters of Lake Bluff. "to receive a quilt during one of their sewing days in February in St. Charles, IL. Mom was truly fascinated by all the team work it took to make a quilt as all the quilters explained the steps after presenting her with own quilt to take home. Truly a labor of love! No one deserves more appreciation than our selfless veterans. It is comforting to know that amid all the bad, there are still plenty of caring people in the world like yourselves. Sincerely, The Family of Josephine R. Chicago, IL"

Thank you gentlemen for your sacrifice, bravery and service!

4 Veterans receive their QOV's: From Deb S..."Rita -
Today (4/22) I awarded 4 quilts to Veterans nominated by Jackie Pasha. All US Army. All Vietnam Vets.
LeRoy N, Eliseo (Lee ) L, Richard J, and Michael P
then I got a thank you note from the requester:

Rita, thank you very much for all of your help regarding getting the quilts for the Quilt Presentation this past Saturday at the Lake Zurich American Legion. The quilts are beautiful and I know Mike P, Rich J, Lee L, and Lee N all enjoyed receiving them !
I sent Deb a "thank you" e-mail as well.
Thanks again for all that you and the Quilts of Valor organization do for Veterans.
Jackie

Sew-in reminder notice:  Tuesday, May 2, Moose Lodge, St. Charles, 9-???  So, those who don't want to bring in your sewing machine...we will be backing tops, bundling with batting  Bring along your rulers and rotary cutters if you're not planning to sit and sew.  Bring along your calendars as we have some awarding events coming up and, you've worked on these quilts (pieced, binding, quilters) and you should be a part of awarding.  Love for you to have the opportunity to wrap some veterans this summer!
See you Tuesday,
Rita

Sew In, Montgomery VFW, Tuesday, April 18

Yes, another sew-in reminder notice is up.  We are so lucky to have the space!  This group is growing as well.  Oh, and if you have any plastic bags, Joyce will be happy to take them.  For those who don't know, Joyce uses them to crochet bed mats for the homeless.

Have a Happy Easter.

Thank you Mr. Eugene P for your service.

Thank you Roger McGill for representing us at awarding Mr. Eugene P his Quilt of Valor. Sounds like it was very special! You wrote: "... it was a very nice ceremony that we had and presented to Gene, ..... They were very happy and so was the WW II Veteran and he was excited - even though he has dementia.

His niece and her son a Chicago Policeman, and her sister in law who also lives in this facility were there, and all the people that are on his wing of the floor up in the second floor that were there."

Sew In notes

Another super busy day...and a whole lot done!!  Here is our show ' tell from yesterday! Love the variety, right! AND you're doing wonders with our orphan blocks!! Note:  we had guests.  Thank you gentlemen for your generous donation.   So, unpacked and now packed for set up today at the show. Drop by the booth, make a block or two!