> ~ Insights by SewCalGal ~

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Charity Quilt Block Challenge - Call for Action

I'm happy to announce a Charity Quilt block Challenge.  You may recall prior posts where I was looking for charities that could benefit by receipt of quilt blocks, quilt tops and/or finished quilts that would be donated through a challenge.  The criteria has been  that the charity must have a track record to show that have the ability to complete donated blocks and tops, as well as donate finished quilts to a good cause, as well has have a non-profit status.

A few followers contacted me to recommend various charity programs, of which I hope to hold subsequent Charity Quilt block challenges to help a variety of charity programs that have been recommend.  Based on previous input,  this first Quilt Block Challenge is focused on benefiting Quilts of Valor (QOV).

The QOV Foundation is a non-profit organization that touches the lives of many wounded soilders and veterans by giving them a warm thank you for their service, and giving them a patriotic quilt.  As of February 2011, there have been over 37,000 quilts awarded to service members and veterans.  Sadly, many more quilts are needed, but I'm hopeful, with your help, this challenge will help with this worthy QOV objective.

This Charity Quilt block Challenge has many ways you can help. 
  • While you need not have an AccuQuilt product, for those of you that have one this is a great challenge to encourage you to play with creating a variety of  12.5" blocks with dies that you have. But anyone can create any type of block (pieced, applique, string, etc.) that is 12.5" (12" finished) so long as it is made with 1/4" seams, 100% cotton fabrics, and uses patriotic colors appropriate for QOV.  For every block you will be entered in the giveaway!
  • Patriotic quilt tops and/or finished quilts are also accepted and a formula will be applied to credit you for the giveaway for this event.  To clarify, your quilt top need not be made with blocks that are 12" finished (any size is ok).
  • Your blocks, quilt tops and/or finish quilts need to be completed and mailed no later than June 20th (extended to June 25th).  While there are many wonderful branches of QOV, the particular group that will benefit from this challenge is one that some of you may know via Facebook.  Dick and Tink Linhart are very passionate about QOV, active coordinators, and always share insights on Facebook about their wonderful QOV group.   They came forward early to volunteer to be recipients of this challenge and I'm confident they will be able to complete any and all blocks and quilt tops, in a timely manner and coordinate getting completed quilts to wounded soldiers and veterans.

Please mail your quilt blocks, quilt tops and finished quilts for this challenge to:

Quilts of Valor
c/o Dick Linhart
333 W. Brown Deer Rd. #130
Milwaukee, WI 53217


For those that want to be entered in the giveaway for this challenge, we ask that you take time to pin a paper label to each quilt block, quilt top or finished quilt.  It is VERY helpful to have the name, and city/state of the block piecer for the label. For purposes of the giveaway, it is also helpful to have your email address (and, if appropriate, your blog address).

Dick and Tink Linhart want to increase awareness that even if it takes 20 blocks, created by 20 piecers, to create a top, it is wonderful to include the piecers' names with city/state on the label for the recipient. Each QOV is labeled on the quilt back for presentation.  Thus, tagging your blocks, tops and finished quilts are important.

Sponsors for this Charity Quilt Block Challenge are:



Prizes for this challenge will be given away on July 4th.  Tink Linhart will randomly be selecting winners and notify SewCalGal, who will announce the respective winners and prizes.  The more entries the better your chances are of winning one of these great prizes:


To officially enter this challenge:
1) Leave a comment on this post and let me know you are taking up this call to action and will be helping to make quilt blocks, tops or finish quilts to help QOV in their quest to give quilts to wounded soldiers and/or veterans
2) Send your 12.5" patriotic quilt blocks, quilt tops or finished quilts to Dick Linhart (address provided above).  Be sure each quilt block, quilt top, or finished quilt has a tag on it to show your name, email (and blog if appropriate).  Minimum size for tops/finished quilts is 55" x 65".

For quilt tops use the following formula to calculate your entries and tag your quilt top as appropriate:
- measure the width and height of your quilt top in inches and calculate the total of width * height.  Divide the total number by 144 and times this number by 1.5 to get the number of equivalent quilt block entries that you should claim when you enter. 
example:  If your quilt top is 64"x64" your total number is 4,096 / 144 = 28.  Calculate your official entry as 28 * 1.5 = 42 entries

For finished quilts use the following formula to calculate your entries and tag your finished quilt as appropriate.
- measure the width and height of your quilt top in inches and calculate the total of width * height. Divide the total number by 144 and times this number by 3 to get the number of equivalent quilt block entries that you should claim when you enter.

example: If your quilt top is 64"x64" your total number is 4,096 / 144 = 28. Calculate your official entry as 28 *3 = 85 entries


If you have any questions email SewCalGal.


For those that are passionate about helping others and have the ability to give a shout out about this challenge on your blog, Facebook and/or twitter, please know I appreciate your help very much.  Likewise, I appreciate the help of everyone that can take time to help with this challenge to benefit QOV.  Whether you can make one block, a quilt top, or finish a quilt, you will be helping to make a difference in the lives of those that have served to protect.

 
 
 
For more information on QOV, as well as free patterns, visit their site:  http://www.qovf.org/

In Fall 2011 the Charity Quilt Block Challenge #2 will be held to benefit Margaret's Hope Chest.  More information on this challenge will be announced in August. 

As previously mentioned, I would like to compile a list of charity programs that would like to be recipients of future Charity Quilt Block Challenges.  Again, my criteria is that they have a large enough volunteer base to complete blocks and tops, a proven track record of donating quilts to a good cause, and have achieved non-profit status.  Also, direct contact with the liason of this group also helps to expedite getting them in line for being such a recipient.  E.G. just giving me a contact lead is a much slower process than someone who has asked the lead to contact me directly.  Lastly, if you are interested in being a sponsor of any of these future Charity Quilt Block Challenges please contact me ASAP to secure a space.

Remember, making a difference starts with you and a itty bit of fabric and thread!

56 comments:

Barb said...

You are always doing things to help others....and you have amazing prizes....

Joanna said...

I second what Barb stated. This is such a wonderful cause, and I'm happy to have it brought to my attention. I intend to participate.

Linda said...

What a wonderful project!

~Laurie~ said...

Love this! I can at least make a block :)

Kim said...

Oh this is such a great cause, my girlfriend and I have made about a dozen QOV's and donate at whatever show Debby Brown ( my girlfriend) is currently teaching. As a team we can get more done and even though I will not be sending in a block I am making a label and presentation case now for our latest donation to QOV. For those of you that can PLEASE make a block or quilt to send in for this great effort. thanks so much SewCalGal for always keeping quilting a noble (lofty and exalted in character) art form.

Happy Sewing

Lynn W. said...

I will be sending in some blocks and possibly can finish a top in progress. You might want to make note that minimum size for tops/finished quilts is 55" x 65". Thanks for offering such a wonderful way to honor our wounded service men and women.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I will be sending out blocks in the next week. I will also include the information in my next blog on Monday.

Sherrill said...

I love QOV (and HOB, too!) and just sent a box off to Alycia in CO for distribution. I've gotten my church group involved in making both QOV & HOB cause they're both such worthy causes.

jan said...

I will send some blocks! Thanks for getting things started!

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

Fabulous project! A blessing to so many...

Cassy said...

I'm in. I love Quilts of Valor. Thank you so much for putting this together to spread the word on such a fabulous organization!

Linda Thielfoldt said...

I am in, 5 blocks done and on the way - Dick is a wonderful guy and I have made and donated over 125 QOV! Great cause!!!

Karen said...

I want to help too! Will get started on blocks!

Cheryl said...

I will help spread the word and get either a block or quilt top sent, whichever I can get done by the deadline. Wonderful project and I look forward to participating in each one you host.

Barbara said...

Count me in. I'm just about to blog about it too.

Sandi P said...

I would like to participate.

Jane Ellen Smith Collections said...

I have a drawer full of red/white/blue fabrics that I've waiting to use for something special. This is what I've been waiting for.

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

I am going to work on completing a couple blocks and getting them sent by June 15ht.
~Kimberlee
www.TheSpunkyDiva.com

Melissa ;-) said...

I am very disappointed that I won't be able to participate. But with moving, I just don't think I will be able to get any sewing done. However, I wish you great luck and hope you collect tons of blocks!

Bonnie said...

Count me in for some blocks. I love making them but get bogged down on the finishing so this is idea for me! Thanks.

Needled Mom said...

This is such a great cause. I'll be sending some blocks too.

Hilachas said...

I will have 10 quilt blocks in the mail and on their way to "Quilts of Valor" by Monday. What a great cause!

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to help. I've been looking for good charities to donate quilt blocks. anita99840@yahoo.com

Melissa said...

This is a wonderful cause. I'll be making some blocks for sure.

~Niki~ said...

I was recently contacted by "what a hoot" quilt blog. she coordinates her QOV project,and recently I emailed to let her know I will be making red,white,blue blocks.I've been quilting for 10 plus years~own very little quilts. all my quilt efforts are donated~god bless the USA!

Carol said...

Thanks for doing this...I sent in my blocks...they were lots of fun to do...look forward to the next challenge. I'll continue to send in QOV blocks in...it's a wonderful cause.

Thearica said...

This is a wonderful thing you are doing! Count me in Darlene!

Michelle said...

I'll do my best!

Pat said...

I've just completed two blocks to be sent off on Monday. Glad to help.

Becky said...

I have a bag of red, white, and blue strings. I'd love to make some blocks for this program. Thanks for sponsoring this event!

sue said...

I just sent off 4 blocks to Tink and Dick. She e-mailed me to say they had arrived! I was lucky to have met Tink and Dick at the Madison quilt show in September of 2010. Great supporters. they were also helpful to me when i chaired my guild's show and put on a QOV presentation.

Sue from Prescott, AZ

Quilt n Queen said...

I participated in the 'Just One Star' program with Moda.....and I will be sending blocks to Tink and Dick too....I'm aiming for a quilt top. Thanks for organizing the challenge....(o:

I've posted the button on my blog....hope it helps to spread the word.

Linda Thielfoldt said...

Mailed Dick 6 blocks and he sent me a message that they arrived! I have been involved in this cause since the beginning - back when it was known as "Quilts for Soldiers" One of my QOV's was awarded to Catherine Roberts son - how cool was that? Linda Thielfoldt - Troy Michigan (The Quilted Goose)

sewfunquilts said...

Yes, I will go cut some blocks right now.

Thanks for doing this.

Sarah R said...

Working on some blocks today. Can't wait to send them in.

Bridgette Stein (aka Giddy) said...

how did I miss this???? I just emailed QOV to request a longarmer for the top I just finished! But hey, there's more time, I'll do some blocks! I love my soldiers and everything they stand for! QOV is a top priority for the new Guild I"m starting and I am going to start going to the students and getting them to make blocks to teach them patriotism and pride in our country!

Sharon said...

I contacted Dick and will be sending a quilt to him as soon as the binding is sewn down. Great cause!

Pam Wilson - Raleigh, NC said...

My friend Bonnie told me about your project. I am sending Dick and Tink a 64x88" quilt top made in red, white and blue from Bonnie Hunter's "Spinner" pattern which appeared in the March/April 2010 Quiltmaker magazine. Like Bonnie, I am Addicted to Scraps and am proud to salute our wonderful veterans. Go Army....

lynn kaufman said...

Love this challenge, have made for this charity in the past. Thanks 4 offering this worthy cause

lynn kaufman said...

Love the challenge

Lynn Kaufman, Milwaukee WI said...

I love this challenge, have made one block and 2 tops so far.....am working on the 3rd.......thanks for putting this challenge here.....

Thearica said...

My block is going in tomorrows mail!

Sharon said...

Two quilts are on the way to the Linharts as of this morning! Thanks for sponsoring this challenge, I am looking forward to the next one in August!

Thearica said...

I just got a confirmation email from Tink that my package was delivered to them today. :)

Deb said...

Blocks and a quilt in the mail!

QOV KCA Quilt Bee said...

Recieved confirmation from Tink that she recieved both of the quilts that I sent to her and Dick.

QOV KCA Quilt Bee said...

Recieved confirmation from Tink that both quilts arrived!

Bonnie said...

Tink reminded me to post a note here to be entered in the drawing. 5 blocks less than a whole quilt but better than nothing. Bonnie

Marjorie said...

What a great cause - I love your star blocks. Have been working on some here, so will send them off for QOV. We have military bases nearby in NC, so feel very close to the need for this project.

Anonymous said...

I have one block done, and hope to get a few more to mail this week. Thanks for reposting. You are great!!
Maryellen McAuliffe
marymackmademine@gmail.com

Marjorie said...

What a wonderful cause. So glad that you let us know about this. My blocks are almost finished.

Anonymous said...

I will be mailing 3 blocks tomorrow (6/21). Thanks for doing this.
Maryellen McAuliffe
marymackmademine@gmail.com

Deb said...

I posted when I mailed my quilts, but just confirmation that Tink has received my quilt and 4 extra blocks. Deb

Jocelyn said...

Thank you Darlene for letting us know about the extension. I have a quilt top that I will be mailing tomorrow.

MJ said...

Awesome! I'm sending in two quilt blocks and if I can get another one or two done tomorrow, I'll get those in too! Thank You!!

Anonymous said...

Update! I have 5 blocks in the mail. Since you extended the day to mail, I figured I would add 2 more. Thanks again. I let Dick know they were coming.
Maryellen
Marymackmademine@gmail.com