By Kathy Brown.
(February 28, 2021) A Higganum man and wife who prefer to remain anonymous have been quietly making and donating dozens of quilts to Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Mr. and Mrs. Quilter have been sewing and quilting since the ’70s but became involved with the Old Saybrook Piecemakers group in 2019, according to Nancy Burns, who works with the Foundation. Mrs. Q’s daughter was a QOV quilter, and invited them to join.
Mr. Q said that it used to take him three months to complete a quilt from start to finish, between piecing and quilting. He enjoyed making quilts for family members. When COVID hit, they decided to get serious, so they bought a new Bernina sewing machine to piece the tops and a long-arm machine for the quilting. Now it only takes him three hours to quilt a top, and a week to make a quilt from start to finish! He enjoys making different patterns for the quilts.
Their longarm machine keeps track of stitches, and Mr. Q was fascinated to learn that there were between 48,000 and 49,000 stitches per quilt!
Quilts of Valor Foundation was started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts. There are now coordinators all across the United States making and organizing quilts for veterans “touched by war” through this Foundation.
According to Ms. Burns’ count for the Old Saybrook Piecemakers group, Mr. Q has made 38 quilts himself, along with 35 longarmed quilts. Mrs. Q has made eight quilt tops, and together they have completed 17 additional quilts. “Our group is blessed with their dedication,” said Ms. Burns. “[Mr. and Mrs. Q] are a team devoted to Quilts of Valor.”
The Q’s have lived in Higganum since 1980, and are retired now. Mr. Q is also a woodworker, making clocks, cutting boards, and even musical instruments.
“I didn’t get to go to Vietnam, by chance,” said Mr. Q, “but many of my friends did. This is my way of giving back.”
In 2019, 716 quilts were awarded to veterans in Connecticut through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Even though there was a pandemic in 2020, the group was still able to honor 78 veterans. Once the weather gets warm, they are hoping to have more ceremonies outside.
If you know a veteran who has been touched by war, and would like to nominate them to receive a quilt, check out the FAQs on the Foundation’s website. “These quilts are a safe space infused with love, care, and prayer,” says Jane Dougherty, QOV Connecticut State Co-coordinator.
If you are interested in making quilts for the Foundation, their goal is patriotic quilts which are approximately 60″ x 80″ using 100% cotton fabric; many are red, white, and blue, though other colors have been used as well.
“We always welcome new men and women to get involved,” said Ms. Burns. “We appreciate tops, fabric, batting, which means we can honor more Veterans. We are willing to teach or help anyone with patterns and ideas. You can choose to just be a part of our group or you can join Quilts of Valor Foundation through our group.”
Photos of quilts provided by Mr. Quilter.
Photo of ceremonies provided by Nancy Burns.
