QUILTS OF VALOR AT SIEVERS SCHOOL

Eight quilt tops were completed Saturday, March 8,
over a several day period at a Sievers School classroom.

Washington Island, Wisconsin -

Approximately 20 women participated in this year's Quilts of Valor effort held in one of the Sievers School of Fiber Arts classrooms this past week on Jackson Harbor Road.  Pairs of quilters selected their  fabric choices, cut and sewed, and arranged their fabric pieces in the "Thank You Star" block pattern theme that has been chosen for this year's Quilts of Valor Foundation (QoVF) quilts.

Nancy Thiele and Deb Anderson partnered to sew 
block patterns.

Each quilt top, along with its one-piece corresponding backing, will be sent to a long-arm quilter.  These skilled people have the proper quilt frames and larger machines to accomplish through-stitching that combines the multi-layers into one. This process also adds batting, the filler that gives each quilt loft, and ultimately, warmth for the user.

Anne Delwiche and Peg Nikolai confer on quilt details.

Once the expansive quilt surfaces have been stitched, quilts are then returned to Washington Island for finishing, which includes the binding along edges and label with names of the volunteers that states it was a QoVF product.  Each quilt will be folded and stuffed into a cover resembling a pillowcase, ready for presentation to a veteran of military service, which is the end-goal behind the QoVF program.  Many steps, many hours, many hands - in addition to the emotional investment - are behind each presented quilt.

Jill Jorgenson and Linda Henning made quilt cases
and cut pieces that will be used for backings.

This year, in addition to the organizational skills and quilting leadership of Marianne Fons, a nationally recognized quilter from Iowa, and Ellen Graf, an Island quilting instructor (these two women also pre-planned this event,  including behind-the-scenes fundraising, purchase of material and supplies, and team logistics) two guest quilters were on hand.

Karen Demaree, who is Wisconsin's Coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation, and friend Sue Kahre-Stradford, both from Platteville, Wisconsin, offered perspective on the QoVF volunteerism in Wisconsin, as it relates to the national organization. It's been the general intention of QoVF to do as much through volunteerism as possible, drawing on a broad spectrum of quilters whose work will then be worthy of presentation to a military veteran, one way of personalizing a thank-you for their service.

This block was sewn by a long-arm quilter using a
star pattern, detail that shows how one section of
the completed quilt might look.

Marianne Fons, Karen Demaree and Ellen Graf
hold QoVF poster at conclusion of Island
quilting event.

Within the next month or two in the United States, the 100,000th quilt made by QoVF quilters will be presented.  (Since there are also some quilts made but not recorded, this number remains a symbolic milestone, but never-the-less, the volume of quilts produced and the handiwork behind them is significant.)

Each Island quilter received this pin
marking the upcoming milestone in quilts presented
to U.S. military veterans.

I was asked by Ellen Graf to record the Washington Island QoVF project during the past few days, and the photos on this posting are but a few to show the colors, patterns, participants and progression during the approximately 3 1/2 day project.

-   Dick Purinton

QUILTS OF VALOR, MADE WITH LOVE...AND SKILL

Quilt detail:  Graf (c) and Purinton (r).

Quilt detail:  Henkel (c) and Foss (r)

Quilt:  Linda Henkel (c) and Carolyn Foss (r)

Quilt detail:   Jennifer Munao

Quilt detail:   Ti Heal (c) and Cindra Hokkanen (r) 

Each quilt has outstanding color and beauty, but it is the thought
behind the handiwork that counts most in these gifts
for veterans.  The quilt above is the work of 
Kathleen Morris (c) and Pat Clarke (r).

Washington Island, Wisconsin -

This blog is to demonstrate that not all island activity has been dredging and mud, or fishing for that matter.   Indoors, talented island people pursued crafts such as quilting, and this past weekend a notable project began at Sievers.

I stopped at Sievers to see the Quilts of Valor works-in-progress, and I wasn't quite prepared for the overwhelming color and variety of quilts hanging on the walls of the Jackson Harbor Road workshop. Some quilts were a bit further along than others. Once finished, each will bring love and supportive comfort to a veteran.









Quilts of Valor is a non-profit, nationwide organization.  Marianne Fons, a well-known Iowa quilter who also spends a great deal of her time on Washington Island (and is a frequent Sievers instructor), was familiar with the Quilts of Valor program, and planted the idea.

Island quilter Ellen Graf, also a Sievers instructor, then organized the event and helped to secure funding.  An article was published in the Island Observer with the hope of raising $1000 from island organizations or individuals, enough to buy fabric for 10 quilts.

Secondarily, besides producing products for presentation to military veterans, there is the introduction to the world of quilting by a skilled mentor, with one who may never have tried quilting.  Fons refers to this side benefit as, "Under Our Wings," which helps perpetuate the Quilts of Valor program and the art of quilting in general.

Island women were encouraged to participate, regardless of their experience levels.  Quilters were paired, so that experienced quilters (designated in photo captions here with "c," for coach), worked with inexperienced, but eager, beginners (names in captions designated with "r,"or rookie).

I've tried to represent on these pages images of the many quilts hanging in various stages of completion in Sievers workshop.  (At least one quilt was taken home for more convenient work by its maker.)   Since most quilters had not yet added borders (edging), I took mostly detailed close-ups, rather than full shots.  This also helps in appreciating material colors and patterns.

It should also be noted that Sievers School donated the quilting space for this project and discounted materials from the Sievers' retail shop.  Marianne Fons, through her extensive quilting network, was able to source reasonably priced materials for this project.

Finished quilts may be distributed through the Quilts of Valor organization, or, they may be presented individually to selected veterans.  On Washington Island, plans have already been made to repeat this activity again, next winter.

One of the above labels will accompany each quilt.

Readers interested in more information, or who wish to make a donation to Quilts of Valor:          
                                       
   Donors wishing to specifically support the Washington Island Quilts of Valor project directly may do so through Ellen Graf.    

  The national, non-profit organization can be reached at this web address:   www.QQVF.org./donate
                 
(The above information was corrected 3.13.13 @ 5:30 pm, as advised by Sievers!)      -  Dick Purinton

Quilt by Graf (c) and
Purinton (r).

Ellen Graf and Mary Jo Purinton
measure a border piece.

Quilt by Kathleen Morris (c) and Pat Clarke (r)

Quilt by Helene Meyer (c) and Dianna Young (r)