Quilt of Valor Pattern

My heart has been so full of gratitude recently with my new sewing space that I really wanted to "pay it forward" with an act of kindness. Ever feel so completely blessed that you just have to share a good deed with someone so you don't pop? Well, that's how I've been feeling lately.

I have not made a quilt of valor in almost two years. My last quilt of valor can been seen HERE. It was a wonderful experience and I knew once it was complete that I would make another. I have worked on quite a few "group effort" quilts for this amazing organization, but it was time to make another on my own.

I immediately think "masculine" when I start on a project like this. After all, a big, tough soldier doesn't want to wake up under a flowery quilt! I try to use only geometric and graphic prints in the fabrics and strong bold lines in the shapes. I want something that will launder well and stand up under hopefully lots of use for a very long time.

(four blocks shown here)

This pattern is one I made up myself (math wise, anyway, obviously I did NOT invent the fence rail block!) I chose 9" blocks because I could set them 7 x 9 and create a quilt that meets the guidelines required by Quilts of Valor.

Quilt of Valor- Patriotic Fence Rail:
( 9" blocks)  63 blocks set 7 x 9 
Finished quilt will be 63" x 81"
Binding: 8 yards required
Batting: twin or 71" x 89"
Backing: 5 yards required (darker colors requested)
Assorted reds: 2 yards
Assorted tans/bieges/golds: 2 yards
Assorted blues: 2 yards

Cutting:
Cut 126- 2" x 9.5" strips from each of the color sets.

Sewing:
To make each block, I simply used 6 strips (2" x 9.5") and sewed them together lengthwise. I sewed them in red, tan, blue, red, tan, blue order. When setting them together I always placed the red strip on the top or on the left of the block for symmetry. I think a random placement would also look nice.

Pressing:
I pressed all the seems in the direction toward the side of the block that had the blue strip.

Quilting:
The Quilts of Valor organization has designated long arm quilters, or you can quilt it yourself. Please refer to the specific requirements outlined on the website.

I hope that whomever receives this quilt knows how much love and gratitude is in every stitch!

Diane