Procedures for making Quilts of Valor® are as follows:
- Fabric used should be high quality 100% “shirt-weight” or “quilt-weight” cotton fabric
appropriate for adults. 100% cotton flannel is acceptable for colder climates. - Quilts of Valor do not have to be red, white, and blue. Patriotic and Americana themes are
popular. - Patterns and blocks can be of any design suitable for visually honoring and comforting a
service member or veteran. - Use of military-branch-specific fabrics (Army, Navy, etc.) or non-“patriotic” fabric (overly
floral), unless the recipient is known in advance, may create difficulty in matching with a
service member or veteran. - A Quilt of Valor is to be large enough to cover an average-sized adult, with an ideal size
approximately 60” x 80.” Finished size can be no smaller than 55” x 65” and no larger than
72” x 90.” - A Quilt of Valor consists of a top, batting, and backing, and must be machine quilted or hand
quilted. A tied quilt is not acceptable for a Quilt of Valor. - Backings provided to volunteer QOVF-registered longarmers must be 4” larger than the quilt
top on all sides (8” wider in width and 8” longer in length than the top). Note: Some
longarmers may have different requirements. - Only member volunteers in good standing can request free-of-charge quilting of their tops by
a QOVF-registered volunteer longarmer. - Batting should be quality, low-loft batting. Quilting should be appropriate for the quilt and
not overly dense, which can reduce the loft of the quilt. - Binding strips should be joined with diagonal seams. Binding should be double-fold
(“French fold”), attached by machine, and finished by hand or machine. - A Quilt of Valor must be labeled as such.
- Must have the words Quilt of Valor
- May be purchased (www.spoonflower.com or your local quilt shop)
- May be your own design (hand-written in permanent ink, embroidered, pieced, computer
printed, screen printed) - Must include space for name of recipient
- Must have names of top maker, quilter, and binder (can include first and last names, city,
and state) - Cannot include religious or political message (possible exception if recipient is well
known) - May include date and location of award
- May include washing instructions (cold water, mild detergent, “color catcher,” dry on low
heat) - Additional information about making and purchasing labels is in the “QOVF Construction
Quick Reference Guide” in the Appendices section of the Policies & Procedures manual. - A Quilt of Valor may be awarded in a presentation case, though a presentation case is not
required. Information about making a presentation case is in
the “QOV Construction Quick Reference Guide” in the Appendices section of the Policies
&Procedures manual. - Before awarding, a Quilt of Valor must be machine laundered (gently, using mild detergent)
so any bleeding of fabric dyes has occurred prior to awarding, and because some facilities
where quilts are awarded require pre-laundering. Use of a “color catcher” that attracts loose
dye during washing is recommended. - A note, card, letter, or journal documenting the creation of a Quilt of Valor may be presented
to the recipient along with the quilt. - Awards of Quilts of Valor are to be reported through the foundation website so quilts are
counted. Report quilts as soon after awarding as possible. To report, click on the “Take
Action – Report a QOV Award” button above.
More information may be found in the Policies & Procedures Manual