Quilts of Valour UK

There is now the opportunity for UK quilters to make their own Quilts of Valour and for these to be given to honour British soldiers injured in the conflict in Afghanistan and also those from Iraq.
The first UK QOVs were presented in January 2009. By May 2010 over 300 have been given to those touched by this conflict.
The television and press announce the grim statistics of death and each fatality will get an announcement on the primary news programmes. The injury statistics do not get such attention and it is a sad fact that for every service member killed in the line of duty several others are wounded. For some the injury may quickly heal and they may be able to return to their service role. Others may find that their lives are changed or they may suffer flashbacks and nightmares. Giving them a well-made quilt is an act of sharing some comfort as they readjust to their lives ahead.

Awarding of a QOV to UK wounded service member.

Some of the acknowledgements received:

“Thank you profusely for the beautiful quilt you made for me. Never before have I received something so kind and personal from someone I hadn’t even met before. I really had to hold back the tears when I unwrapped it for the first time and there was no helping my mother who was in floods of tears about this act of kindness. Clearly a great deal of time and indeed love went into the making of the quilt and I will treasure it for the rest of my life.
Sincere regards
W D 3rd Btn The Rifles Feb 2010

“ Thank you for your kind Letter and the lovely quilt that you sent. The quilt is such a wonderful gift and so beautifully made.
I do not know how it is that you heard of me but I truly appreciate the work that you have done in making the quilt for me.
..... ”Please continue the work that you are doing with the Quilts of Valour Foundation, acts such as yours are valued greatly.”
G. B. 1 Btn The Grenadier Guards March 2010

 

Getting Involved with QOV-UK

UK Requirements

 

You choose the design, you choose the fabrics. A popular choice is Red, White and Blue but otherwise masculine colours are best. BUT...be advised that not all recipients want Red, White, Blue or explicitly military themes. What NONE of the recipients want are fabrics which are inappropriate...such as juvenile fabrics intended for children or be excessively flowery with pink hearts etc.. What will happen if you choose to go this way is that your quilt may sit on a shelf gathering dust.
Your QOV is not being made for a charity case. It is for a soldier who serves to protect our country and our freedom. For any quilt, it all starts with the fabric. Our soldiers deserve good quality fabric. If the fabric is not good quality, no matter how attractive it is, how well you piece it or how well it is quilted , it will not last through the years or survive multiple washings. Not only does your QOV provide comfort today - it should be made to last for many years in the future.
Fabrics for tops and backings should be 100% cotton, not fleece or polyester cotton. Minimum sizes are 54" x 72" or 60" x 60" for square designs. Lap quilts and wall hangings are not required.
Quilting may be by hand , machine or by longarm machine.
Each quilt should have its own presentation case, no loose quilts please. The case can be either pillow case style or drawstring design but should hold the quilt folded and flat.
QOVF-UK has the following policies in place: Anyone can nominate an injured soldier to be awarded a Quilt of Valour. However, the quilt will only be presented via the regiment that the soldier belongs to. Names of soldiers are not released to the quilters by QOV-UK.
Quilts can be sent to Quilts of Valour UK, 1 Chaucer Way, Osbaston, Monmouth, NP25 3NR. Quilts of Valour will then allocate the quilts, attach a QOV-UK label and despatch the quilts to the regiments concerned.

 

Typical Label (affixed by QOVF-UK)

Presentations are made by the regiment with the award being made by a senior officer. Quilters may include a letter or journal with their quilt.
Soldiers who choose to respond to QOV-UK will have their message passed back to the quilter concerned.

 

 

 

•     Each QOV is to be a quality product made from 100% cotton and finished with care
•     Any quilt supplied through QOVF-UK and has a QOVF-UK logo on the award label is a QUILT of VALOUR
•    If you have what it takes to be a QOVer then you can register at QOVF.org. Registration helps us to keep in touch and you can see if there are likeminded quilters in your area.

Miscellaneous Items -

(Longarm Quilting, Quality Issues, Sponsorship, Awarding of Quilts and QOVF-USA.)

 

 

Contact Us:

Completed quilts can be sent to the address below.  Remember:

• To include Your name and contact details
  
• A presentation bag for the quilt (pillow case or drawstring styles are fine).
  
• A letter, photograph or journal to be sent onto the soldier (optional).
  

 

To contact us:
Quilts of Valour Foundation—UK
Quilts of Valour - UK 1 Chaucer Way Osbaston Monmouth NP25 3NR
e-mail: jean@qovf.org