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suzanne earley

You are here: Home / Stars and Stripes: Quilt of Valor

May 6, 2008

Stars and Stripes: Quilt of Valor

I’m sure that by now most of you know that a Quilt of Valor (QOV) is a quilt that is presented to a combat wounded service member. Organizers are specifically trying to present these to the young men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with quilts, but any combat wounded service member can be a QOV recipient.

The foundation is always looking for help. You can visit http://www.qovf.org to learn how you can help with this project.

Shown above is the quilt I just finished that I’ve been talking about for the last week or so. The original quilt that this is based on is a quilt in the Smithsonian National Collection. It was made in 1861 and is 86 by 87. It was made by Mary Rockhold Teter for her son George who served in the Union forces during the Civil War.

The quilt is found in a book called Quilts: An American Legacy written by Mimi Dietrich (in 1996). Her book includes photos of a number of quilts from the Smithsonian, and the instructions to make quilts based on the original quilts. The replicas aren’t necessarily copies, a lot of times they are adaptations. Mimi’s adaptation of the Stars and Stripes quilt was only 38 by 38 and so I adapted her adaptation in order to make a quilt large enough to be a lap quilt for a soldier. (My quilt is 62 by 65).

When I first started making quilts, I never thought I’d ever want to make the same quilt over again. : I’ve since learned that even though you might be using the same pattern, you never make the same quilt. Something is always different (at least it is for me) and I will be making this pattern again. This quilt was a bit of an experiment: I was making do with what fabric I had on hand and had to make some choices I wouldn’t make if I had had a little more fabric. If I make it again, the stripes will be longer (and a bit wider) and the border will be a bit narrower (I think it’s a little out of proportion as it is).

Actually, as I was trimming it, I discovered that the side borders are an inch wider than the top and bottom borders. Don’t have any idea how that happened.

The applique was all done on the longarm (in fact, I didn’t even fuse the pieces down first, I just plopped them down where I wanted them and then went around them twice with a wavy stitch.  In fact, the quilt is even easier than it might look:  the center blue square is not pieced, it is an appliqué over top of the striped background.

I’d better quit talking about this quilt, though, and get it in a box and on its way.  I think I can get it to Alycia before Friday, but not if I keep sitting here.

Next up:  a post about the frustrations of trying to book a trip to Florida on a low-cost airline.

TTFN-

Suzanne

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About Suzanne

When I'm not editing, I'm spending time with my family, cuddling with my pets, knitting, quilting, or reading. I'm also a part-time secretary for my local school district.

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Comments

  1. Yvonne says

    May 6, 2008 at 9:53 AM

    I love it…..it’s awesome!

  2. Vicki W says

    May 6, 2008 at 10:14 AM

    Very nice!

  3. Jami says

    May 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM

    I think the quilt is great! Good job on it!

  4. Mary says

    May 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM

    This looks great – I love historical quilts and I was able to find a used copy of the book for $5.50 at Amazon….supposedly in good condition but I’ve bought used before from their marketplace and haven’t yet been disappointed in the condition of the book. I looked for the first one too – but that was $42 and higher for a used copy.

    Thanks!

  5. Sonya says

    May 6, 2008 at 12:53 PM

    I really like it. Sounds like you used some fun techniques.

  6. Marie Johansen says

    May 6, 2008 at 1:20 PM

    What a beautiful QOV quilt. Someone will smile when they see it !
    Thanks for stopping by my newly sudsy blog ! I think it was definitely a “mad scientist” effect !
    Cheers !

  7. Alycia says

    May 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM

    Beautiful!! I love the whole story behind it too!! Thanks for contributing to our project in such an AWESOME way!

  8. Chris says

    May 10, 2008 at 12:40 PM

    Beautiful quilt and beautiful person to care for our troops enough to make it……God Bless you and God Bless our troops and God Bless America

  9. Beth says

    May 11, 2008 at 6:56 AM

    That is just rockin’!

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Instagram post 2198938382342605542_15732201 “In fact, since no one is perfect, it follows that all great deeds have been accomplished out of imperfection. Yet they were accomplished, somehow, all the same. “ Lois McMaster Bujold, Mirror Dance. #carvedecember #thepainteddiaries #suzanne_365
Instagram post 2198884817750437164_15732201 I was at a workshop yesterday and one of the first things the speaker said was “The smartest person in the room is the room.” That’s how  I view the community of artists I am part of here on IG and with @getmessyartjournal and @the_painted_diaries and @everythingartuk and the various other challenges I have taken part on this year — these are my “rooms” and I think we are all smarter because of those connections. Except for the part where I keep forgetting you have to reverse things when carving stamps. 🤪#carvedecember #suzanne_365 #suzannegetsmessy #getmessyartjournal
Instagram post 2198318837210935461_15732201 The prompt was the free writing — I used an inktenae pencil to journal about a decision that we are trying to make, scribbled in layers and in different directions. And then I spritzed it’s with too much water, so I blotted with a paper towel. And TBH, this is exactly what the decision making process looks like. #kasiasadventcalendar #suzannesadventjournal #getmessyartjournal #suzannegetsmessy
Instagram post 2198301357683863340_15732201 “Full moon today, Friday the 13th tomorrow, and the week before Winter Break next....” (words from a Facebook post yesterday...) #carvedecember #thepainteddiaries #suzanne_365
Instagram post 2197690835112539827_15732201 This was an experiment. My eyes were closed and I slowly moved the pencil across the page while I was breathing following a pattern.(I used my other hand to feel where the edges of the page were so that I didn’t fall off, so to speak). It was interesting. I might try something like this again, but with some modifications. #kasiasadventcalendar #suzannesadventjournal
Instagram post 2197579931381171115_15732201 Snowflake! I found this silly sticker at Michaels (60% off) and it made me giggle, so I bought it. Wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it, but decided that just sticking it on the page and writing around it was enough! #kasiasadventcalendar #suzannesadventjournal

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