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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.
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- 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.
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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.
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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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