There’s a “First Annual New Year’s Day Sit & Sew” planned to help get Quilts of Valor (QOVs) made and donated.  Alycia has a post on her blog and there’s more info here.

Before you start telling me all your plans for New Year’s Day and why you can’t do this . . the quilts aren’t due til March 13, 2013.  You can simply make the top and request a longarmer who will quilt it for no charge.

So many of us are so blessed in so many ways and this is a fairly easy way to give back to those who have given so much.  You may use any pattern or design you wish but I came up with a very simple design last night that will be quick and can be made with a variety of fabrics.

NYD S&S

The quilt will finish at 62″ x 83″.  The blocks are 10″ finished.  The blocks consist totally of strips cut 2-1/2″.

NYD S&S Block

The center strips are cut 2-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ and three strips are needed to complete the center.  I will sew  strips that are 2-1/2″ wide by the length of fabric (or maybe half the length of the fabric for more variety) together, then cut those into 6-1/2″ segments.

For the outer “border” of the blocks, cut two blue strips 2-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ and two that are 2-1/2″ x 10-1/2″.

To make the quilt as shown, make 17 blocks with a blue border and 18 blocks with a red border.

For the borders:

Border #1 (shown in blue – decide which fabric you’re going to use for the first border and don’t use that fabric in the “border” of any of the blocks on the outer edge of the quilt so the border/blocks don’t run together -
Sides – 2-1/2″ x 70-1/2″
Top & Bottom – 2-1/2″ x 54-1/2″

Border #2 (shown in white/red print)
Sides – 1-1/2″ x 74-1/2″
Top & Bottom – 1-1/2″ x 56-1/2″

Border #3 (shown in dark blue)
Sides – 4″ x 76-1/2″
Top & Bottom – 4″ x 63-1/2″

For the binding, cut 9 – 2-1/2″ strips.

Anyone want to join me in getting a QOV made right off the bat in 2013?