Southeastern Wisconsin News and Needs

We had a great response to our QOV display at Winkie’s Variety Store in Whitefish Bay during July. First, we did a presentation to the Milwaukee Slovak Historical Society. The Camo Quilts presented first and then we talked about Quilts of Valor. We called the Camo Quilts the departing quilt for those heading to war, and QOV the welcome home quilts for those “touched” by the war. We will be speaking to the Shorewood Women’s Club in mid-September, and presenting two quilts at that time. One is for a WWII combat nurse and the other for an active duty Army nurse who has served in both of the current war zones.

Another call was a request for us to participate in the Veterans’ Recognition Program being planned by the Milwaukee County Diversity Committee for early November. They have requested 80 quilts to be presented to Veterans and active duty military members who are current County employees. They have been deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Some were in the first Gulf War, and a few in Viet Nam. WE NEED YOUR HELP in gathering all these quilts. Please let me know if you can send one or more quilts. I would like to have all of them by Halloween so that we can put the recipient’s name on the label, as well as name tags on the presentation cases. As you know, there’s no such thing as having too many quilts as we receive frequent requests and we will be working with Dry Hootch to identify returning Veterans who need what we have long called quilted hugs of gratitude.

Several of our regular piecers and quilters joined us at the first Milwaukee Machine Quilting Show in early August. We all had a great time talking about Quilts of Valor with folks at the show. I think a lot of people thought the show was just for long armers and machine quilters, but there was something for everyone and we had a ball! We presented a QOV to Jim Simons, the event organizer and CEO of Quilter’s Rule. Jim is a Viet Nam Army Veteran and Bronze Star recipient. Jim’s quilt was pieced by Judy Johnson; quilted by Grace Park of Enchanted Quilting.com; bound by Jean Callaghan; and the presentation case made by Sandy Sylvester, all of Santa Fe, NM. Jim received a standing ovation from the teachers, vendors, and participants.

We’re ‘sew’ excited that Ye Olde Schoolhouse Quilts, the shop that hosts our monthly QOV sewing day, has been selected a Top Shop for the fall issue of Better Homes & Garden’s Quilt Sampler! Jeanie’s quilt is on the cover of the magazine! The shop’s QFL (Quilting Football League) team - the Bobbin Robins - have been very generous with their time and talents, donating blocks for quilts (three tops pieced, another to go) and nearly two dozen presentation cases! Some of our teammates are now coming to our sewing days!

http://www.yeoldeschoolhouse.com/Ye_Olde_Schoolhouse/QOV.html

Last but certainly not least, Dick has gone from “just” layout design to actually piecing blocks and assembling tops (okay, so I helped with the latter). Fortunately we have enough sewing machines that there’s no fighting over that - he uses the newest one!

Thank you all, for all you do!

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