Veterans Quilts

In 2004, Q.U.I.LT.S. became involved with the Injured Soldiers Quilts Project coordinated by the Southern Maryland Quilt Guild. Quilts were sent to either Andrews Air Force Base or Bethesda Naval Hospital for distribution to injured men and women returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. When troops were pulled out of Iraq at the end of 2011, the demand for quilts was greatly decreased and the project was discontinued. Our guild had sent 211 quilts for this program. Soldier Quilt
Since this was such a successful service project and very personal for many of our members, the Guild decided to continue making quilts for the Stratton Veterans Administration Hospital in Albany, NY. In-patients received a welcome packet from the hospital which included a quilt or an Afghan made by different organizations. Our quilts were brought to the hospital and given out by guild members several times a year. We provided quilts to hospitalized veterans who proudly served our country during peacetime or military conflict. Our Guild distributed 530 quilts for this project between April 2012 and February 2020 when the pandemic shut down this and all voluntary services at the hospital.
We then spoke with the manager of Voluntary Services to investigate other means to give quilts to veterans. In September 2021 we began bringing quilts to the Fisher House on the hospital campus. (This is similar to the Ronald McDonald House and provides families of out of town hospitalized vets a place to stay.) Quilts were given to a family member and passed to the veteran. In addition, quilts were given to patients at the Stratton Inn (a unit in the hospital where veterans, not ill, but needing daily treatment stay). Then, in July 2022 patients in the oncology and hematology unit were included. 73 quilts from September 2021 through July 2022 were given to veterans.
As of August 2022, a total of 814 quilts have been given to our veterans.
General Guidelines for Veterans Quilts
Size: 50” x 74” or 45” x 60” size may vary.
Fabric & Design: 100% cotton fabric. Colors and patterns are your choice, though red/white/blue are popular.
Label: Please place a label on the back of the quilt with your name (Mary Smith or Mary S.), Schenectady Q.U.I.L.T.S. and a brief thank you. It is a means to identify the origin of the quilt and often we will receive a thank you note from the recipient. We also attach a note from the guild to each quilt.
Other ways to help: Make a block using red,white, and blue fabric 12 ½” (finished size 12”). Please measure and sew accurately so the blocks are of the proper size to facilitate easy assembly.
Ready-to-assemble kits are provided at each meeting. A kit includes cut fabric ready to sew, pattern, batting, and backing.
Friendship groups may want to make a quilt(s) as a project.