Weekend of Valor Quilt Show A Tribute To Veterans

In the past eight years, the Quilts of Valor program has created more than 45,000 quilts for combat veterans.

At Huntley’s Weekend of Valor Quilt Show, organizers will add to that collective effort, while extending the tradition of quilting into another generation. The Gazebo Quilters’ Guild event is set from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Huntley Cosman Cultural Center gym. It’s part of the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest, which spans six different counties over a three-month period.

“The show will have quilts from the Civil War through the current period. Plus there will be people making quilts at the show, in view of the public in a workshop,” said co-Chairwoman Sue Bruss, of Huntley.

While some hand quilting is involved, the event focuses mostly on machine quilting.

Co-Chairwoman Jan Meyer, also of Huntley, said the workshops are called “Under Our Wings,” and is a program developed by Marianne Fons, an internationally known quilter.

“It takes a new quilter under an experienced quilter’s wing to teach them the art of quilting,” said Meyer, who has been quilting 17 years.

Bruss explained Quilts of Valor was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts.

“At our show, we’ll have an exhibit of more than 50 quilts of valor, and we’ll also have quilt vendors selling their wares,” Bruss said.

From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, there will be a salute to veterans. Bruss and Meyer have been sorting through nominations for veterans to receive quilts of valor. Veterans from any conflict are eligible, and anyone can send a nomination on behalf of a veteran. More information is available at www.qovs.org.

Vicki Madigan of Huntley is one of the coaches for “Under Our Wings.” She already has worked with her understudy to select fabric and patterns, and she’ll coach two people, one Friday, and one Saturday.

The students have no quilting experience, Madigan said, and she will teach them elements like using a rotary cutter and cutting out their pieces of fabric. Some inexperienced quilters also lack sewing skills, so Madigan also helps with the basics like threading and winding a bobbin.

Most importantly, she brings the tools for success.

“My job is to bring all of the equipment,” she said. “What’s really great about this is that people who have always wanted to learn how to sew or quilt can learn without having to make an investment, and then they’re also contributing to a great event.”

Madigan has been sewing 45 years and quilting for 12.

More information about A Weekend of Valor is available at www.northernillinoisquiltfest.com.