covering the world one quilt at a time
Covering the world
AccuQuilt is once again hosting Covering the world one quilt at a time with sponsors, Island Batik and BabyLock.
Dan’s quilt 2022
This is my second year participating. My goal is to cover as many Vietnam Vets in my area as possible, before they’re gone. Last year I awarded Dan with a quilt I made from the AccuQuilt tumbler and star applique dies. In this quilt you will find 2 shades or red, 2 shades of blue and 2 shades of neutral. All are from the Island Batik Foundations collection.
Covering the world 2023
This year I made a quick and easy quilt that is pre-cut friendly. However, I chose to use yardage instead of pre-cuts. If I had fewer distractions in my home, this quilt would have been pieced and quilted in 2 days thanks to the AccuQuilt dies.
AccuQuilt dies used
The dies I used are the 10″ finished square and 2″ finished strip dies. In addition, the star applique die.
Island Batik fabric
For this year’s quilt I chose 3 Island Batik fabrics from their Foundation Collection. These fabrics are available throughout the year.
Almond for the white stripes.
Navy for the star background.
Redwood for the red strips. Once I looked at them together, I thought the red was too light next to the blue. However, it provided a nice balance in the finished quilt with the light and dark fabric.
The blocks
First, I cut the strips from the white and red fabrics, then sewed them together. Next, I cut these into squares. Lastly, I cut the squares of blue fabric. That was it.
Using the 4″ star from the star die and its embroidery file (which is free when you purchase the die), I stitched a star to each block.
On a cold cloudy day, which I have found to be the best lighting for photographing fabric and quilts, my quilt is finished.
It has not been awarded yet but will be as soon as I have one more done, they will be awarded together. If needed due to the Vets health, I will still go to their home and award them personally.
Why I continue to choose our vets
For most charities you send your quilt to the charity and they decide who the quilt will be gifted to.
For me it has to be more personal. After the last of hundreds of thousands of stitches is made in the quilt, I don’t have it in me to drop it in the mail to an unknown address. These quilts are personal to the Veteran’s and I want to add my own personal touch by welcoming them home. Not only that, 3 of my uncles served in Vietnam and they were very special to me. It is in their honor I do this.
Quilt info
60″ x 80″
Aurifil 50wt white thread for piecing and Forty3 for quilting.
Heirloom® Premium 100% Natural Cotton with Scrim.
Schmetz Microtex (Sharp) Needles for piecing.
AccuQuilt dies, see links above.
Island Batik fabric, see link above.
Elna for piecing and Babylock for embroidery.
more Quilts
Gulf war Vets
John (one of my truck driver friends) is an Airforce Veteran from the Gulf war. The quilt on the right was awarded to my friend Jeff Partridge, an Army Veteran who also served in the Gulf War. Jeff passed just a few months after being awarded his quilt. The fabric in these quilts is also Island Batik.
Last but certainly not least, my friend Rich, Rich a prime example of a proud Marine. He loved our country and loved the flag. He had flags of every size displayed in his home and I made him one more. You can see the full quilt here. Rich’s only concern on this day, “Where’s my Marine Corp hat?”.
These are all wonderful quilts and very appreciated by the recipients. They’re even more meaningful since you are gifting them to veterans you personally know. Blessings!
I think so too, thank you Gretchen.
So beautiful, Denise. I know these veterans are feeling loved and appreciated by you. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Jennifer, I hope so. Merry Christmas to you all.
This is such a beautiful way to honor our vets. Thank you for doing this! xo
I agree 100%, there are more to come.
Awesome quilts. I love our Veterans!!