I’ve been making QOVs for a few years now. Recently, I signed up as a long armer to quilt tops made by other QOV volunteers. I am working with a Michigan group called the Stitching Sisters. I picked up a box of quilt tops/backings the other day and got the first one quilted yesterday. I don’t know the name of the pattern but I really like it!
I finished the quilting last night.
I used a pantograph called Celtic Maze by Patricia Ritter from Urban Elementz. I used Affinity variegated thread in the top and Magnaglide bobbins in white for the back, Hobbs 80/20 batting. I love the texture on the back.
The next top is loaded on the frame and ready to quilt!
Yesterday, I received a very special note in the mail from the daughter of a QOV recipient. I made the quilt last fall. He passed away on November 1st of this year. Here is the note.
Yes, I cried.
Here is the quilt.
I don’t think any of us that have not served in the military have any real clue how profound the impact and sacrifice of serving really is. It is humbling to have a hand in saying thank you to our nation’s heroes. Raphael served in World War II. He was 90 years old when he passed into eternity.
To learn more about how you can help cover our nations heroes, go to Quilts of Valor Foundation. Can’t make a whole quilt or top? Alicia over at Alycia Quilts is holding a block drive.
KatyQuilts 
Your quilting looks wonderful, Katy! Such a nice thing to do.
How wonderful to have received that letter. It was a great quilt.
Your letter is amazing – the pattern of the quilt that you quilted is Urban Log Cabin from Atkinson Designs… Great quilting!!
What a wonderful thing you are doing for our deserving Service Members and Veterans, and your quilting is perfect! Just goes to show, our Quilts of Valor do make a huge difference, don’t they?
Very Well Done Miss Katy,
Deb Lindley/East Central IL QOV State Coordinator
Dear Kathy, just not to let you know how beautiful the top and quilting was on the QOV. The letter you shared is wonderful. I to belong to a QOV group, and I love it being able to being a little sunshine into the lives of so many, who gave a lot for us, is very rewarding !! The letters always make me cry. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work !!
Thank you for sharing this moving post. The date on the letter was very poignant too – WW1 Armistace Remembrance Day. Have you seen photos of over 800,000 ceramic poppies round the Tower of London? It is so important to remember both our fallen service men and women and those who have survived. Quilts make wonderful gifts – thank you for giving your time to QoV.
Allison, UK
I like that first QOV quilt … if you find out the name of the pattern, please let us know.
Wow, that note brought tears to my eyes, too. Bless you for what you do for our country’s veterans.
A few years ago I too was involved in quilting QOV tops here in Washington state. The group I worked with had their quilts given to veterans at Madigan Army Hospital in Seattle. It gave me such pleasure to be involved with this project. I also quilted tops for cancer but the real joy came from the QOV. Good way to keep my Gammill happy as well! That is a beautiful quilt that you quilted.
Thanks for honoring our heros!
The note made me cry also. Bless you for making quilts of valor for our soldiers! They are a true gift of love. I am sure the family will now treasure their dads quilt.