A Special Quilt of Valor and a FREE QUILT PATTERN

 

Have you heard of Quilts of Valor before? 

Maybe you've even made a quilt and donated it?  

My quilt guild, Free Spirit Quilt Guild (FSQG) got involved with our local QOV chapter in 2017.  Each year we do some kind of community service project and QOV was that year's choice, we were so inspired by the project that we have our own chapter now and it is going strong!

I was all excited to participate last year because many of my family members/friends have served in the military, including my grandpa, Joseph Washick, who served in WWII in the army.  I even submitted a veteran's name (my friend, Ruth's husband, Pat, who served in Vietnam).  Pat was one of the first group of quilt recipients that my guild participated in.

Being all gung ho about QOV, I immediately began my first QOV quilt to donate.  Then I got sick last year, had multiple surgeries, and struggled with complications for the next 12 months.  ARGH!  I went into what I call "emergency quilting" mode, which basically meant that I only quilted when I had to (had a quilt with a deadline).

I am thrilled to say that I am finally on the homestretch to finishing my QOV  from last year.  I just need to hand-sew little bit more binding.

 Recently, I had an amazing experience with my QOV.   The Moving Wall was set up in the park in my local town.  I had the brilliant idea to take my quilt with me to see The Moving Wall.  I asked permission to photograph my quilt with The Wall.  Two very kind veteran volunteers helped me, I wish I would have thought to get their names.

Here are the directions to make my Triple Rail Fence quilt for QOV.  

Maybe you'll make one and donate it to your local QOV chapter.

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 Patriotic Rail Fence Quilt

By Tricia Maloney

63" x 81"

SHOPPING LIST

1 7/8 yard Red Fabric

1 7/8 yard White Fabric

1 7/8 yard Blue Fabric

5/8 yard fabric for binding

Twin-sized batting

5 yards fabric for backing

**You can totally use your stash for this quilt, just use an assortment of reds, whites, and blues.**

CUTTING

Red Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Light Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Blue Fabric:  Cut 72 rectangles 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Binding Fabric:  Cut 8 strips 2 1/2" x the width of fabric (WOF)

MAKING THE BLOCKS

1.  Sew a blue, a white, and a red 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangle together into a Rail Fence block.  Make 72 blocks. The blocks will be 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" (unfinished).

MAKING THE QUILT

2.  Sew 7 blocks together, turning every other block as shown.  Make 5 rows (Row 1).

 

3.  Sew 7 blocks together, turning every other block as shown.  Make 4 rows (Row 2).

4.  Sew the rows together, alternating placement (Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1, Row 2, Row 1).

 5.  Layer your quilt top with your batting and backing.  Quilt the layers together.  Bind your quilt.

6.  Give your quilt to a Veteran!

Please feel free to share this pattern with your Quilt Guild or sewing group.  

It goes together fast, is a great size for a QOV quilt, and is suitable for a beginner.

Quilt On!

Getting With the Program..............Quilt Program That Is

After a year long battle with a bunch of health-related issues, I am finally getting back to some semblance of normalcy.  Okay, I've never been very normal (just ask anyone who knows me), but things are finally returning to some kind of balance in my life now.  What a relief!

This past week I had 2 different programs.  I think the last program I did was a Schoolhouse at Spring Market in St. Louis 2017, which was a couple months before the rug was pulled out from beneath me.

My first program was at my very own quilt guild, Free Spirit Quilt Guild (FSQG).  I did a program about using orphan quilt blocks for our year-long theme of Quilting Around the House.  I showed many quilts from my first book, Orphan Block Quilts, quilts featured in magazines, and even some quilts I made just for fun (Imagine that!).  I also shared lots of tips and tricks for finding, cleaning, and using those orphan quilt blocks that seem to multiply overnight sometimes.  I showed lots of different orphan block projects from one block pin cushions and pillows to a large bed quilt featuring multiple groupings of coordinating blocks.

Here's me!  I am holding a copy of my book and talking about the long process of getting a book published (people always find this interesting).  Psst!  Over my left  shoulder you can see my book cover quilt, Lavender Green.

Here's the cover of my first book, Orphan Block Quilts.  It's out of print now, but there might still be some copies floating around.  If you're interested in adding this book to your bookshelf stop on over to my website and order a signed copy today!


Below, are some more photos of the quilts I showed.  Looking at the number of quilts I lugged to the program, I don't know how I managed to get them all into 2 crates!

This little Americana orphan quilt was my very first orphan block quilt!  I used 4 Four Patch blocks from the 1930's and added a border of 2 reproduction 1930's reds.  Isn't it sweet?  You can see why I got addicted to making quilts with orphan blocks, can't you?

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My second program was a trunk show/book signing at a local quilt shop, Quilter's Cupboard, which was celebrating its first year anniversary.  I was invited to show off my quilts from my most current book, I Love Precut Quilts!  Copies of this book are still out there, but if you're interested in a signed copy, swing by my website.

Sadly, I realized that my quilts hadn't been out of the crates since last spring, probably right after getting home from Spring Quilt Market.  Poor babies.  They still had their identification labels on from visiting C&T for their beauty shots.

Here's my third book -- my fun book!

 Here is Spritely, probably the most popular quilt in my book!

 

 Big Bow Ties -- giant-sized bow tie blocks.

This is Chautauqua, the quilt on the cover of my book.  

 Here's Around and Round.  A fun, fast throw quilt.  

This is a close up the machine quilting for Around and Round. 

 I am particularly proud of my artsy feathers!

 

 Here you see Cocktail Party and City Houses.

This is Divide and Conquer and Bounce.

It's good to be back in the groove again!  I wonder what kind of quilt mischief I'm gong to get into next?  Stay tuned...........