If you are planning a trip to Edmonton this June, consider signing up as a volunteer with the QOVC booth at Quilt Canada. It’s a lot of fun to chat with other volunteers from across the country and it gives you a chance to check out the fabulous quilts on display.
When: June 19th – 22nd 2024
Where: Edmonton Conference Centre
Who: Quilts of Valour Volunteers
What: 4 hour volunteer shifts in the QOVC booth. (Assisting with sewing of blocks & speaking with booth visitors about QOVC.)
*If you would like a shorter shift(s) please let us know.
Pleaseemailpresident@quiltsofvalour.ca NO Later Than 1 Feb 2024 with your interest/availability to volunteer.
Welcome to 2024! Do you have your projects lined up, goals set, sewing room tidied? I am not in that group, although I do aspire to get there! Congratulations to you if you are in that space!
Our final statistics for 2023 reveal that 247 quilts were started and 241 were presented. (If you remember my numbers from the December post, you will see that we were creating and presenting right into the final days of the year!) QOVC Ottawa is starting off the year with a number of presentations already taking place (MCpl Boivin, Sgt D Clement, MWO Y Martel) and many more scheduled.
I am sometimes asked if there is a single pattern or colour theme that Quilts of Valour follow. As you can see from the above examples, the quilts we present represent a wide variety of styles (above: shaded four-patch, triangle log cabin, wild stars). All of our quilts are made with new fabric (not repurposed fabric such as shirts or jeans) and they are made as gifts for military members who have been injured or made ill as a result of service — gifts of gratitude and respect.
Have you heard about the National Sew Day? Paul Leger will once again be hosting the 6th annual (virtual) National Sew Day. When you register in advance, you will be sent the log-in code to participate with other QOVC stitchers across the country. There will be draws and prizes for all who are registered. The Atlantic fabric bundle is available in the online store for you to order to stitch up the 2024 hug blocks. The online store also has a number of panels and patterns if you do want to stitch up a top or a quilt with a more patriotic flavour.
Here in Ottawa, there will be a Drop, Swap and Sew on February 2 (9:30 – 3:30) at the Orleans United Church (1111 Orleans Blvd). If you would like to stay for a day of stitching or if you would like to pick up a new kit to work on independently, please drop a line to Robbie at robbiechapman61@gmail.com to let her know how many people to expect for the day. There will be a limited number of kits available so please let Robbie know if you would like one. Brigid will bring a selection of items from the QOVC online store for cash sales; if there is something in particular that you would like, please send her an email in advance.
Christine and Brigid are busy cutting more kits and preparing for the upcoming sew-days. Join us on February 7 or March 6 from 9:30 to 3:00 at CannaConnect (215 Menten Place, Nepean) to spend the day with laughter and friendship as we create new quilts for our injured military members. Bring your sewing machine, neutral thread and basic sewing supplies. Coffee and tea are available on site.
Christine and Katalin are organizing a sew-day at the Miller Apartments in Manotick (5510 Dickinson Street), Manotick on April 3. This is a new location for us and we are looking forward to the new partnership.
Common Threads will be hosting the quilt show this year on June 14 – 15 (not May!) at the Earl Armstrong Arena in Beacon Hill. This is a chance to see the beautiful quilts that have been created in the last two years and to meet with a wide variety of vendors with tempting essentials that we all need to add to our studios. Quilts of Valour will have a table at the show. Can you book some time in your calendar to help us staff the table? Please let Christine or Brigid know when you could be available.
Presentations, sew-days, quilt shows — so much to look forward to. I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the events. Here’s to a grand new year, and, as always,
Ottawa Region: Quilts of Valour - Canada 