Making Quilts of Valor

For the last year, I have volunteered my time to help make Quilts of Valor — quilts that are presented to members of the military who are returning home with wounds to body, mind or spirit.

I learned about Quilts of Valor at Quilt Yourself, a studio in Savage where I learned to use a computer-assisted long-arm quilting machine.  Like many of their customers, I volunteered to use my new skills to help.

A quick quilt primer:  a quilt is a sandwich — the top layer is the pretty part, then comes filling called batting, then a backing which is usually plain.  The actual quilting is the stitching that holds the three layers together.  A long-armed quilting machine makes that easier, and also makes it possible to stitch beautiful designs to enhance the pattern on the top.

I knew I would enjoy the process of quilting; what surprised me was how moving it has been to be part of this grass-roots effort to provide a measure of healing to the women and men whose lives have been forever changed by their military service. 

On Sunday, I shared some of the QOV’s I have worked on with church folks at “PS” — which stands for ‘Post Service with Pastor Sandy.”  There were lots of stories of how quilts, prayer shawls, and other similar gifts have been profoundly healing for people in need.  I hope these quilts will be, too.