Recap of 08-16-13 Meeting

We had a great group able to attend this month’s Quilts of Valor meeting – and we all participated and watched our Many Trips Around the World quilt grow into a full blown top! 

The first pic shows Linda in the design stage, making sure the blocks are put up on the design wall properly (not always an easy task – this quilt has only one block turned every which way):

Then, as the line grows at the ironing board, the MTATW rows grow on the wall behind Dawn and Irene:

And it gets bigger and bigger:

 

Diana holds up the rows that she and Judi have sewn

And is finally a completed top!  What a beauty … even without its final borders (to be the correct QOV size) … a member took it home for that so watch for the totally finished quilt next meeting.

And this month we had some fabulous quilts, tops and pillowcases brought in for donation:

 

Yvonne's pillowcase presentation pkg

This was Yvonne’s first attempt at making a pillowcase – she did a great job!

And Debbie brought in this beautiful Stars and Bars quilt that Jadeen and Yvonne finished with a hand-sewn binding and label:

Another beauty from Debbie:

 

(the photo distorts the stripes - sorry)

The gorgeous American Flag Quilt above is a free pattern offered by Fons and Porter.  The download is available at this link:

http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/American_Flag_Quilt

Since so many of our members like to take home projects in between meetings, Debbie and Linda worked very hard to create some special kits for members-only:

These kits are made up from two different designs – the first is the American Flag pattern shown above - the second is the Warm Wishes pattern from Quiltmaker Magazine and available for download at this link:

http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/details.html?idx=5185_

These kits include fabric and pattern instructions and are available only to members at meetings.  They are not available to pick up at the shop – come join us on Fri, Sep 13^th, if you’d like to try one!

So, I can hear you asking yourself “what is the significance of the seemingly ‘backwards’ flags on the quilt above?  Isn’t that wrong?” .  Well, No!  Check this out:

Question: Why is the U.S. flag worn "backwards" on the uniform?

Answer:  …. The flag is worn on the right shoulder, because, in the military, the "place of honor" is to a military member's right.

The full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.
The rule dates back to the Army's early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the Colors into battle. As he charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back. Since the Stars and Stripes are mounted with the canton closest to the pole, that section stayed to the right, while the stripes flew to the left. .…

The take-away is that you should never miss a QOV meeting … you learn something new every time!  Please join us next month:

September’s meeting will be on Friday the 13^th,

from 10 – 2:00 at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop.

More meeting times will be published next week, please watch the sidebar for those dates …