Aussie Hero Quilts 101 Pt 4

Welcome to Aussie Heroes 101 Part 4.  There are a few topics tonight - Special Requests, The Volunteer List, Quilts in Waiting and  WWQs.


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.  That is something that usually doesn't happen when we send our quilts off with the care packages that go through the April and Christmas mailing.

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 at short notice.   There are currently 14 ladies on this list.  When I receive a request I forward the info, minus identifying details, to the 14 ladies 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.  


I work on a six week plan.  I allow two, maximum three weeks to get the quilt completed and in the mail and then another two or three weeks for the quilt to actually travel to its destination via snail mail.  


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
Maybe I need a better name for this one but as yet I haven't come up with one.  If you have completed a quilt, or even have it at flimsy or quilt top stage, it would be great if you could email me a picture so that I can file it away in the Quilts in Waiting File.


Here is a quilt top that Kylie is working on and has let me know about.  

And here is the gorgeous May BOM quilt that Pip made and which I mentioned last night.

These are both in my Quilts in Waiting File and may go off in response to a special request or they may wait until the Christmas mailing.

If you have a top or a completed quilt how about letting me know.  

And finally we come to some very special quilts, ones that we hope we will never need to use but which will serve a very important purpose if needed.

Wounded Warrior Quilts (WWQs)

We have been asked to provide three 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.  Unfortunately our first three quilts arrived in Kandahar one hour after our last three soldiers were flown to Germany.  At least we know that three quilts are in situ now should they be needed.


These are the three quilts that are currently on standby in Kandahar.  

This one by Liz

This one by Wendy 

Finally this one a quilt top by Claire - this photo was sent to us by one of the chaplains. 

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 three 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.  


These two, the first by Liz

 and the second by Linda, are currently in my WWQ in Waiting File.

If you want to go ahead and make one please let me know.  I know of a couple of WWQs that are either completed (please send photos) or are under construction and once I get photos of them I file them in the WWQ in Waiting file until needed. I have had a number of people offer to make WWQs but have not had word that many of them have been completed.  If you have one underway, can you please let me know.  We will not be restricted to posting these quilts only during the April and November mailing dates obviously.


And here is another option - if you don't have time to sew a while WWQ or quilt top but still want to be part of making such a special quilt - here is an easier option.
 Send me an 8 inch block (7 1/2" with seam allowance makes it ") in Aussie fabric or red white and blue and I will combine them into WWQs.
Here are six completed by Teresa from America which I received just yesterday.   Does anyone else feel like making some?  Just let me know!

I think that is enough to digest for now - class dismissed!

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

Oh My Goodness on 3 days left to post!

3 posting days to go

Just a reminder that although the posting dates go till the 15th of April, of course the 15th is a Sunday so Saturday is the last day you can post.  


Tomorrow morning I am going to be sending out my first email to the volunteers who have offered to make quilts on request.  Just in case you haven't heard - the word is being passed around that Aussie Heroes exists and some soldiers are being invited to email me if they would like a quilt of their own.  When I get those emails I will be emailing the AHQ sewers who have volunteered to be put on the mailing list to see if anyone is interested in making a quilt for that particular soldier.  Usually you will have about two weeks to get a quilt made and into the mail.  The soldiers can't tell us how much longer they have over there but we work on the assumption that they have at least six weeks to go - that allows two weeks to get the quilt made and mailed and then four to get it over there.  


Just because you are on the list doesn't mean you have to put your hand up when you get an email.  You need to look at your commitments at the time and decide if you can manage it.  generally I will wait till 24 hours after I send out the request and will then let you know who the sewer will be.  


These quilts do not have to be fancy or more time consuming that others.  Simple strips quilts will do.  It will be up to the sewer to decide.  Occasionally we might get some sort of specific request that will guide us is a certain direction, sometimes not.  I will not reveal the name or address of the recipient to anyone but the person who is making the quilt.  The less information spread around the better for the soldier's security.   I may be over cautious in that regard but that never hurt anyone.


So, if there is anyone who would still like me to put their name on the volunteer mailing list just leave a comment or send me an email and I will add you in.


Now tonight I can share with you some of the quilts that the Singleton Quilters have been making.  There is local lad serving in Afghanistan and they have set a goal to make 60 quilts to send one to each member of his team.  Don't you bet he has become pretty popular!

Here are five pictures that I have been sent of their wonderful quilts. 

 I am really hoping that I will get pictures of the other 55 in good time too.

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