As Remembrance Day approaches, our thoughts turn to those in our military who bravely put their lives on the line for the freedoms we cherish. Quilts of Valour – Canada Society (QOVC) supports injured service personnel with quilts of comfort. Their goal is to reach as many injured CAF veterans and members as possible with hand-crafted quality quilts personalized for each recipient. In 2015, they set a goal of donating 20,000 quilts by the end of 2020. With almost 16,000 quilts presented to date, they are more than three quarters of the way to meeting their goal.
CQA/ACC members and partners always step up in a big way to help QOVC. At Quilt Canada 2019 in Ottawa, over 4,500 Log Cabin blocks were donated by attendees! This year, QOVC asked quilters across the country to make quilts using the Bento Box quilt block; an unfinished block is 12½”. They had planned to attend Quilt Canada 2020, but with its cancellation their hopes to accept Brave and Bold Bento Box blocks there were not able to be realized. But there’s still time to help.
This is a great project for both new and more seasoned quilters alike, as an individual project, a sew-along or a virtual guild sewing day. Just download the QOV Brave and Bold Bento Box Tutorial and follow the instructions. Sew five rows of six blocks to make a quilt approximately 60″ x 72″ (30 blocks total).
Don’t feel like making Bento Boxes? No problem. Guest designers Brenda Davidson Payer, Daphne Greig, Elaine Theriault and Paul Léger have created beautiful quilt patterns that meet the criteria for a Quilt of Valour, generously donating all profits to support the cause, so when you purchase one of their patterns you will again be supporting QOVC.
With just over two months to go, they could use your help to reach the finish line. Every little bit helps. Completed quilts, tops and blocks can be sent to a local QOVC representative. Questions? Please contact Mary Ewing or Robbie Chapman.
