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"How You Can Help"
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There are many ways in which an individual, club, church, neighborhood, or business can help with this project. Much of the help doesn't require the skill of quilting. Here are just some things you can do to contribute to this project, as well as our American Hero Quilt standards:
  • Donate fabric
    • Fabic must be 100% cotton. It should be washed and ironed before donating. All quilts are made in a patriotic theme, so all fabrics should be red, white and blue. Fabrics may be plain or patterned. The colors can be primary, bright colors, or the more muted Americana colors of burgundy, navy and off white.
    • Requirements for back of fabrics:
      • Please see below under "Standards" for fabric requirements
      • Fabric for quilt backs should not be white or light colored as some of our injured have open wounds which can cause stains.
      • For fabric up to 45" wide, need is 5 yards per quilt
      • If fabric is 90" wide, need is 2 1/2 yards per quilt
  • Long Arm Quilting
    • Long arm quilters are desperately needed to donate their time to finish quilts.
  • Cash donations are appreciated and can be used to purchase thread, batting, and other necessary supplies. We are a 501 (c)(3) (non-profit) and ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of all donations go to buying products to produce the quilts, or to quilt them.
  • Tell your friends, neighbors, and business associates about this project.
  • Gather friends and family for your own day of quilting. Encourage them to bring fabric. Each person can help iron, cut quilt pieces, sew the tops together, coordinate the backs and the bindings, and send off to Blueberry Hill Fabrics to be long arm quilted.
  • Please call or e-mail us if you wish to help in any
    see below for the standards for these gifts of "hugs" to be presented to our injured troops when they arrive at Madigan ~ any one of which could be your own son or daughter.
  • Now you can contribute by paypal.

 

American Hero Quilt Standards:
  • Quilt tops should be no less than 60" wide and 70" long up to twin size (69" x 90").
  • Quilt back fabric should be at least 5" larger on all sides.
  • Fabrics should be of good quality and 100% cotton.
  • Red, white and blue fabrics should coordinate well within the quilt to create a sense of pride and patriotism for adult recipients.
  • Fabrics that cannot be used on backs of quilts (the fibers from these fabrics can interfere with the healing process of wounds):
    • flannel
    • corduroy
    • fleece
    • fabric with sparkles
  • Fabrics that should not be used on backs of quilts:
    • light colored fabrics, muslin because some of our injured have open wounds which can cause stains
  • All fabric must be washed and ironed before it can be used. If you are not able to send the fabric ready for use, please
    e-mail us and we will have a volunteer contact you.
  • Fabric for bindings: 8 strips 42" long, and 3" wide. The fabric used for the bindings should be cut in strips from the width of the fabric. This is because the binding on a quilt is it's weakest point. If a lot of small pieces are sewn together for the bindings, it makes it even weaker. Thus...using longer pieces actually will increase the strength of the bindings and help maintain the quilt for a much longer period of time.
  • For those sewing quilt tops, please remember to trim all the threads from the back side of the quilt. It can take a long time to "fish" a piece of thread out of the top of the quilt after it has been long armed. We want to make our volunteer long arm quilters' work as easy as possible so that they have time to be creative, as well as complete the maximum amount of quilts.
  • Please see Contact Us for information on where to mail finished quilt tops, with coordinating bindings and backs.
Why do we have such stringent standards?
  • The wounded soldiers have fought for our freedoms, and are hospitalized to recover from injuries sustained during that fight. The civilian citizens of America should be grateful to these warriors for defending our freedoms.
  • Each quilt represents many hours of love and an opportunity to show the recipient that Americans do care about their sacrifices.
  • These quilts are considered "treasures" by those who receive them. Some recipients want to know how to frame them to protect them, as well as display them as a constant reminder that the sacrifices made are appreciated by the citizens of our fine country.
  • Often these quilts are enjoyed day after day by those who have received them, wrapping themselves in them as though they continue to receive the hugs they represent.
  • Some who receive these quilts want to pass them down to their own children because of what the gift represents.
  • American Hero Quilts are not made for just anyone. They are made for real American heroes. How could we not have standards for these gifts of love?
 
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