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?
I love the simplicity of the cutting instructions, but the final result doesn’t look so simple! Very nice! I am sure many QOV will be made using your pattern and many other great patterns also suitable for QOV’s out there! I am going to have to bookmark this for when I get back to the other side of the pond, where all my fabric resides! Cheers! Evelyn
Yes, it would not be easy for you to do it now! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year with your family.
Judy… what does the NYD S&S stand for? Someone on QOV asked, and I’d also like to know.
New Year’s Day Sit & Sew
This makes a really beautiful quilt. Great work! You amaze me.
Looks like a good plan, Judy. I’m going to check my bins for fabric! I’m weak in the red fabric department but I’m thinking I could come up with enough fabric to do this.
Motivation….I love it!
Looks like an easy plan! Take note on your EQ version, left side, second row from bottom, the block border and the outter border next to it are same fabric so it kinda floats. I think it just needs to be moved toward the center more, but you knew that right? Thanks for the quick and easy pattern. Oh, and Mele Kalikimaka!
I never follow the EQ drawing that closely but if you enlarge the photo, you’ll see the fabrics are a bit different. I was using EQ fabric palettes and not my actual fabric.
I saw that too.
I like that design and the simplicity…I’m in!!
I have a QOV that I just got back from the long-armer. By New Years I hope to be done with the binding, but time will tell. If I don’t have it finished, that’s what I’ll be working on. I’ll need to turn it in at my next quilt guild meeting, which is January 2nd. Darn! I just realized I can’t go to the meeting – I have choir practice at church that night, and I can’t skip it, ’cause I’m the pianist! Drat!
I’ll be driving back from Christmas holidays in Dallas on NYD. I will definitely do your pattern as I have a ton of 2 1/2″ strips that I can sew up. My NY resolution is to master FMQ on my Bernie. This will be good practice.
I can surely get made by March 13. That was my Moms birthday, so easy to remember.
Merry Christmas.
I am in!!! Will dig through my stash today but am sure I can find enough
Count me in as well. Great way to spend NYD!
Thank you Cindy!
Great design for these quilts. I’ll probably do a quilt top on NYD, but send it to American Heroes, which is under the umbrella of QOV – gets counted in with them. I’ve been sewing for them since 2005, and I’d feel like a cheat sending it to someone else. =)
That’s fine. Thanks, Susan, for making one. It will get to an injured serviceman or woman and that’s what matters.
Oh Judy I would so love to do this but I know I won’t finish by the deadline! I am having a total knee replacement December 26. Then when I am somewhat ok I am looking at heart surgery … I will keep this on my list for u!!!
We will be having a low key NYD here, just Dad here for the traditional good luck dinner. For us saukraut so I should be able to do some sewing. Like your pattern
Sounds like a great idea!
Today our guild Common Threads delivered and handed out 32 quilts to the Veteran’s Home locally. It was great to be able to do this.
Thanks Judy…boy, I wasn’t even close!
I will be getting into my stash and make one. And hope some more since the due date is some time in March.
hope to quilt along with you. Our guild in New Iberia,La.makes a lot of QOV to donate to our fallen soldiers and family.We donated five to soldiers last Sat. and thwey were so appreciated. Thanks for sharing this simple quilt. Dana
Love this pattern and think I will join in on NY day. I DO have a question however – for a QOV are there any restrictions (size, colors used) And who would we send to, etc.?
Minimum 55″x70″ 60″ square quilts aren”t great for snuggling. but will be accepted. Go to http://WWW.QOVF.org for full details and how to find a longarm quilter or where to request a destination if you do it all yourself. Thanks for participating.
Oooh, I love this, definitely will be doing it.
Great looking pattern! Our QOV group needs 16 by Jan 24 so this pattern will help us finish in time!
Thanks!
Judy!!! I spent Christmas in the Wounded Barracks with the guys and the quilts make them so much homier!! I came back to read your blog and find you with this AWESOME quilt pattern… you make my heart happy – I can not tell you how much your support is appreciated!!! I am printing it out and going to town – Hugs to you and all who are making a QOV – you are much appreciated!!! – Alycia
Thank you for this wonderful quilt idea. So many quilts to chose from. I am ready to Sit and Sew and bless. Grateful to have a job but grateful I don’t work the 1st so I can sew. Warmly, Tawny
I’m in. I’ll be cutting my fabric this weekend and be ready to sew on New Year Day. Thank You for a quick and easy pattern.
Count me in, it sounds like a great way to ring in the new year! I am starting a QOV group, The Patriotic Piecemakers, through our quilt guild here in Springfield, MO. I am always looking for great quilt ideas. May we use your pattern?
Looks great! I’ll add that to my list of “to-do” tomorrow.
Happy New Year to all!
Last year, using a small el-cheapo calendar, I started keeping track of anything crafty (quilting or needlework) I did, each day . Didn’t make it every day, but I impressed myself at some of the stuff I did finish this year. Have several baby quilts and a QOV on my living room floor behind me waiting for measurements, batting, backing, basting.
Nice quilt, thanks for the pattern.