What you need to know if you have just found us.

486 quilts and 469 laundry bags!

Got to be happy with that!

With an influx of new followers over the last week or so I felt it was time to update as much information on the blog as possible.  Hopefully the following covers everything that new followers need to know.

The following will give you an abbreviated version of what we do.  Please feel free to email if you have any more questions.

What do we do?   The Friends of Aussie Heroes are spread all over the country and we make quilts and laundry bags to send to serving members currently on deployment on Operations Slipper and Mazurka.  We send items in response to requests from serving members or their loved ones - spouses, family members and friends.  All we need is three or four weeks to get a quilt made and two or three weeks for the post to cover the distance.  Mail to some areas can be a little unpredictable so I prefer a lead time of 10 weeks for preference.   So far we have coped well with any requests that have come our way and in fact I think we could cope with a few more.  We would certainly do our best.  We started sending to guys and gals in Afghanistan and are now sending to Dubai, the current HMAS ship on deployment and Egypt as well.

If you can sew and want to make a quilt or part of a quilt you can find all the specifics with regard to how to make a quilt here. 

If you look at the top of the blog page, between the heading and the photo collage, you will see a list of pages.  These are all useful reference information to assist you.

Quilt Specifics

Quilt Size  - the size has been determined to fit into a Bx2 sized Aussie Post Box so that you can post them free of charge - as long as you keep the weight under 2kg.  Currently I recommend making your quilts around 42-44" wide which is around the width of quilting fabric.  The length should be no shorter than 70" and no longer than 75".  I would suggest you aim for 70" length as the extra length makes it hard to fit the quilt into a box.

Quilt Design - You can choose any design you like for your quilt.  We need quilts for guys and girls but just bear in mind that in Afghanistan for example there only about 20% female to 80% male!  We need four more boy quilts to every girl quilt.

Batting - We only use cotton batting as these quilts are used year round.  In winter it can get down to -25C in Afghanistan and in summer up to 40C (maybe more?)    A cotton lined quilt is useful if the aircon is a little chilly whereas a polyester one is not so good.

I go to my local quilt store and ask for the thinnest, cheapest 100% cotton batting. The rolls are usually 2.4m wide which means that I can get two quilt side by side if they cut me a little over the length of the quilt.  Another option is to buy 3m which gives you enough for three quilts.  In spite of appearances the three quilts below are all the specified size and are laid out on 3m of batting.  Note - three quilts will only fit on 3m of batting if they are the minimum lenghth of 70"  - you might need a little extra batting if they are up to 75".

Quilting - is a matter of personal choice and ability. Straight line quilting is perfectly fine but if you can stipple or do fancier patterns ..... fill yer boots as they say!


Binding - is sewn on by machine or hand - again your preference!  Again there is a tutorial page on binding your quilt here if you need it.  


Label -  Each quilt is to have an Aussie Heroes label on it.  I print my labels on Printable Fabric available from printablefabric.com.au  The label MUST include the blog name and the blog email address. BOTH are required.

This is an

AUSSIE HERO QUILT

made for an 

Aussie Hero

serving overseas

with gratitude for your service.

2012

aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au

friendsofAHQ@gmail.com

Please include the blog name and AHQ email address so that they always know how to get in touch with Aussie Heroes.  Do not assume that the blog details are sufficient.  In some areas they cannot access it at all.

You are more than welcome to expand the label detail to include your personal details or you may add a second label.  You are also more than welcome, in fact encouraged, to add a letter with your contact details with each parcel you send.

BOM Blocks

For the initiated a BOM is a Block of the Month.

There are a number of Aussie Hero Friends who are novice quilters.  There are also a bunch of quilters who for whatever reason can't complete a whole quilt for Aussie Heroes but they still want to contribute.  I want AHQ to be as inclusive as possible so that anyone who wants to join in can in one way or another.  This is just another way people can contribute!  

Each month two Aussie Hero Friends, Naomi and Kylie, take it in turn to introduce a simple block, complete with a tutorial, then anyone who is interested can make up one or more blocks and send them in - getting them into the mail by the end of the month.  They are then made up into a quilt, often with wonderful results!  

For the experienced quilters please don't be frustrated by the simplicity of the blocks - that is whole point and after all, sometimes  the simplest of blocks yield the most stunning quilts.

We started off in February with a simple nine patch block.   

and ended up with some gorgeous quilts.

Laundry Bags and why me make them.

Maybe you are wondering why we started making laundry bags.  The full story can be found in the Brief History Page but the short story is this.  The guys and gals are issued with white, blue or green laundry bags and the only way to tell one from another is by hand written initials usually in black marker pen.  According to my sources bags go missing all the time as people collect the wrong bag in error.

The lovely Warrant Officer's wife (see brief History if you want to know more about the Lovely Warrant Officer) made him his own laundry bag that was distinctive in colour and voila! he found his laundry easily there after!

In this picture you can see the NM laundry bag stands out!  No one will be taking it by accident.

I am not going to duplicate effort by completely re-writing the Laundry Bag Tutorial but it is there if you need it.  I will just go over some of the main points.  

Fabric

Try to use a heavier weight fabric for the outer and calico or homespun weight for the lining.  Something like light weight curtaining fabric - not the rubber backed fabric - is excellent. If you don't have a heavier fabric for the outer then use normal quilting fabric.  The sturdier the fabric and the stitching the longer these bags will last.  Also, and most important - all fabrics - particularly those pesky reds need to be pre-washed.  Soldiers tend not to like wearing PINKuniforms!

As the military issue bags are white, plain blue and plain green I tend to stay away from plain versions of these colours. 

The most important feature of our bags is that they be DISTINCTIVE so they can be easily picked out from a pile of hundreds!  The fabrics don't have to be pretty - just serviceable.  Bright colours, checks, strips dots, anything - just bear in mind you are making laundry bags mostly for men.  If I make more than one from the same fabric I vary the colour of the patches and the cord channel.

Patches or Initials.

When we have them we applique large initials on bags but that is not necessary.   It is nice to do, if you if you have the recipient's name but I want to be able to send extra bags over to be handed to those who need them and I don't have a never ending supply of initials.  

Here are your two options.  Either applique simple letters on the front or make up a patch similar to the one on the blue bag - make it any shape you want - just jazz it up so that it adds to the distinctive quality of the bag.  Raid your scrap bag for the border fabrics and use a contrasting thread for the stitching!  Have some fun with it.

Our patches are fused on and then stitched down.  I use satin stitch  - you can stitch however you like but stitch well so that it stands up to wear and tear. Lately I have received a few bags with fancy stitching and the patches are fraying after the first wash.   Make sure you attach your patch before you sew up your bag - so much easier!

The part of the bag that gets the most wear and tear is the draw string channel.  A sturdier fabric like twill works well but only if you have it. This is also a good place to top stitch and reinforce.

Cord

Laundry facilities have changed somewhat since we started and now I believe that the clothes are no-longer washed in the bags.  Therefore we do not need to be so concerned about the cord as we used to be.  A good cotton cord or cheap cotton shoe laces will do the trick  See those shown in the pictures.

There are many more guys over there than girls so if you can make the bags either gender neutral or masculine that would be great.  I would love to be able to send lots of these over there to be passed around.

Laundry bags can be posted over in a batch with other bags, on their own or with a quilt. We try to send one with every quilt that is sent.

Special Requests 
This is what we call it when a serving member or their family find us and request a quilt or a laundry bag.  We love these requests as it means that we usually have some sort of personal contact with the recipient and/or their family.  

The Volunteer List

In order to meet the demands of the Special Requests I have a list of volunteers who are happy to put a quilt together on request.  Normally these quilts need to be finished and posted within three to four weeks.  Quicker is even better if you can realistically manage it.   When I receive a request I forward the info, minus identifying details, to those on the Volunteer List.  Whoever feels they can fit the request in with their own commitments gets back to me with an offer to complete the requested quilt.  If they can't help they don't need to answer.

Generally, when I put out a call for a volunteer I get more takers than I need and I usually operate on a first "in best dressed rule".  Having said that though, if I know someone is really keen and has missed out on a couple of opportunities then they might get first option the third time.  Also, if I know of a quilt that is well under way which I think might be suitable for the request I might email the quilter and ask if they are interested in completing it in time to fill the request.

I can always use more volunteers so if this idea appeals to you please leave me a comment or send me an email.  You don't need to put your hand up each time a request comes through - only whenever it fits in with your commitments.

Quilts in Waiting
If you have completed a quilt, or even have it at flimsy or quilt top stage and are planning to quilt complete in it the near future, it would be great if you could email me a picture so that I can file it away in the Quilts in Waiting File.

Wounded Warrior Quilts (WWQs)

We have been asked to provide four quilts that can be held in the hospital in Kandahar to be given to any wounded soldiers who transit through there on their way to hospital in Germany.  So far two of our quilts have been used and replacements have been sent. 

Preferably they should be Australian in flavour as they will accompany the soldier to Germany and a bit of familiar Aussie-ness would hopefully be comforting to them.  

They need to be sent in plastic bags that can be vacuum sealed as the Chaplain said the dust gets into everything and we don't want the quilts dusty and dirty before they are even handed to their recipient.   

I also try to keep several quilts ready in Australia so that they can replace any that are used as soon as we get word of their need.  The quilts will be sent direct to the Chaplain who passes them on to the hospital for storage.  

If you want to go ahead and make one please let me know.  Once I get photos of completed WWQs I file them in the WWQ in Waiting file until needed.

Posting Information

As long as we pack our goodies into a Bx2 Aussie Post box and keep the weight under 2kg we can send the boxes free of charge.   Our quilts are designed to fold up and fit it one of these boxes comfortably leaving just enough room for a laundry bag and a few goodies.  Detailed information is on a separate page here.   I would appreciate if you could read it before you send your first box.  For Aussie Heroes the really important thing to do is to label the boxes "From Aussie Heroes."   Spread the name girls!  We want everyone to know the Aussie Hero name.

Extra things to include

If you look at the Pages on the Aussie Heroes Blog you will see one called Extra Things You Can Include.  You will see there is quite a list.  This is generally aimed at the guys serving in the outposts where amenities are limited, not so much Dubai and HMAS ANZAC.  I try to always include a packet of Aussie biscuits if there is room.   I also heard from one of the guys that lip balm,  the Chapstick kind, is really popular.  They get given a white zinc like lip balm and apparently it is AWFUL.  Another thing I was told is that roll on deodorant is great.

Please always include a note or card from yourself with your contact details so that you can be thanked for your efforts.

How can non-sewers get involved.

If you can't sew but still want to help check out the list of options here.  One of the most useful things you could do is donate some money.  Don't get me wrong, I hate asking for money, but the reality is that I received a bunch of quilt tops here in Sydney, plus a lot of the BOM quilts and all of those require batting.  I also have to pay for a lot of postage, fabric, cord and all the incidentals that go along with running Aussie Heroes.  We have a bank account and soon there will be a Paypal button to facilitate donations but in the mean time if you contact me I can give you the bank account details.  Even small donations are welcome as every little bit adds up.  

The account is a legitimate account set up with the Westpac Bank in Dural, NSW in the name of Aussie Hero Quilts(and Laundry Bags) and requires two signatures for any transactions - just so you know.

Just quickly
Today, from early this morning up until 4pm this afternoon I have had over 40 emails including a request for input for another magazine, and several phones calls regarding Aussie Heroes.  I just want you to know that if, at times, the response you get from me seems a bit short or to the point please understand it is due to time constraints rather than abruptness.  Please don't stop emailing and especially sending me updates - they are invaluable and I record as much of the information that you pass on as I can - but there won't often be time for a  long reply.

Now, meet Hunnigirl!  She belongs to Caroline and just in case any of you missed it on Facebook, she has a very important role in Quality Control and, of course, takes it so seriously that she dresses the part especially!

The final word for tonight goes to Jamie who left us a lovely message on Facebook tonight and I know not all of you will see it there so here it is...

All the Men and Women in the forces appreciate what you are doing.  Its a good morale booster, to know that there are great people like you in our country, that appreciate and support us, through the good and the tough times....Thanks girls, for all that you do!

And bless him for calling us "girls"!

Till next time.................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!