On March 18th, during Constituency Day, Laurie met with Lezley Zwaal, who has initiated a very interesting project called Quilts of Valour - Canada. This organization aims to supply hand-made quilts for wounded Canadian soldiers.

Please see below for a history of Quilts of Valour - Canada, instructions for interested quilters, contact information and photos.

Please consider supporting this wonderful organization!

Quilts of Valour – Canada: A History
By Lezley Zwaal, Founder, Quilts of Valour – Canada

How do you explain what happens when you meet someone who has lost both legs just so you can stay free? How do you explain how you feel when a proud mom gives you a very tearful, and very strong, hug because you have made a quilt especially for her son who has made great sacrifices just so you can stay free?

An organization in the United States (U.S.), called Quilts of Valour Foundation (QoVF), has been underway for several years to bring some comfort and care to those who make this kind of sacrifice. This organization makes quilts for American soldiers that have returned injured from deployed operations overseas. It was started in the U.S. (via the internet) and now has quilters involved from around the world.

Back in January 2006, when three Canadian soldiers were injured in a land far from my imagination, I watched the newscast interview with another soldier recovering from a prior incident and noticed no quilt for comfort in sight. My first reaction was, “where are the quilts for Canadian soldiers?” I quickly realized there wasn’t an official group in Canada making quilts for our soldiers who have returned injured.

After much thought, I contacted Catherine Roberts, the founder of the QoVF. After discussing the situation with Catherine, and with her encouragement, Quilts of Valour – Canada was born and began to make connections to get quilts to wounded Canadian soldiers. As of March 20, 2006 six quilts were on their way from quilters in the U.S. to Edmonton’s Military Families Resource Centre so that they could be given to injured Canadian soldiers.

This was only the beginning, however, because we wanted to get Canadians involved in making quilts for Canadian soldiers (although you are welcome to send quilts to QoVF for American soldiers as well). Starting with 5 quilts for our soldiers in 2006, quilters across Canada have provided over 90 quilts as of March 2008; Quilts of Valour – Canada is underway!

What You Can Do

The mission of Quilts of Valour – Canada is:
To ensure that our wounded Canadian soldiers are recognized for their bravery and commitment of the true patriotism to our country. We give this support through the presentation of quilts of comfort made for our military service people.

In order to fulfill this mission, Quilts of Valour – Canada needs the help of more Canadians through quilting and financial contributions. Please consider supporting Quilts of Valour – Canada, and our injured Canadian soldiers, through your talents and/or generosity.

If You Would Like to Make a Quilt

1. The preferred minimum size for Quilts of Valour is 50” by 60”; the maximum is twin sized, usually 72” by 96”/ They should be large enough to provide comfort, but small enough for the longarm volunteers to schedule in between their customers’ quilts if you are not quilting it yourself.

2. The fabrics should be of good quality 100% cotton. Canadianna theme (especially the maple leaf) would be a natural selection. The red/white or traditional looking patterns always work, but are not a must.

3. The preferred backing fabric is a print or mottled effect which coordinates with the top. It should be of good quality, either woven or flannel, cut straight and, if seamed, the selvage edge trimmed from the seam. Wide backing fabrics are available and are often more economical to use. If you are sending the quilt out to a longarm quilter to be quilted, remember the backing should be 6 to 8 inches wider and 6 to 8 inches longer than the top. This allows for the ‘drawing up’ of the quilting process and gives the long arm quilter something to which the side clamps can be attached.

4. When your top is completed, pressed, and you have the backing ready too, you can contact Lezley Zwaal directly (contact info is below), or you can go to the U.S. organization (www.qovf.org) and select the Longarm Quilter information. When you fill out the form, QoVF receives the information needed to find you a quilting partner. Please specify that you require a quilter in Canada and she will forward your request to me. An email will be sent to you and your quilting partner, so that you may work out the details. Generally, the expectations are that the longarm quilter will supply the batting and thread and do the quilting. *Please note that the quilter with whom you are matched is not committed to do all of your future QoVs. Not every quilter is able to volunteer whenever the quilt top is ready, so you may get another partner the next time you have a top ready. If you have two tops ready at the same time, please check with the longarm quilter to see if it is possible to place them both with your partner.

5. Although not necessary, it is encouraged to make a pillow case for storing and shipping the quilt in. You might also want to consider making the pillowcase with handles so that it can be used with a wheelchair. The pillow case can match the quilt, or can be made with Canadian flag, or maple leaf fabric.

6. Whichever of you agrees to do the binding, labelling, washing and shipping should contact Lezley Zwaal (contact info is below), Founder and Director of Quilts of Valour – Canada, who will notify you where to send the quilts.

7. It is suggested that you include a letter to the recipient. If you also include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the message “quilt received”, the recipient can easily let you know tour quilt(s) arrived.

For More Information

Please contact Lezley Zwaal, Founder and Director of Quilts of Valour Canada, at:

(780) 983-3210 (Edmonton, AB)
QoV@AutomatedQuill.com

Photos

Quilters Jan and Lezley presenting a QoV quilt to CF representatives.

 
Examples of quilts.

Quilt made for QoV - Canada.

Another example.

Quilt full of maple leaves.

Another example of a maple leaf themed quilt.