Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor invites people to join in for National Sewing Day

The Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor group will host its National Sewing Day for Quilts of Valor from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Princeton Moose Lodge, 1339 N. Euclid St.

In 2003, quilter Catherine Roberts started the movement that became Quilts of Valor when her son was deployed in Iraq. Since that time, more than 401,361 have been awarded. The local group Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor awarded 189 quilts in 2024 and has given more than 800 quilts since its start in April 2017.

The National Sew Day allows QOV groups to share their process with the public and increase the ability to make more quilts to meet the need of La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, northern Marshall, eastern Henry and southern Lee counties.

For the sew day, bring your own QOV project, sew one of the group’s kits, sew on labels/bindings, and make quilt blocks or pillowcases. Bring a sewing machine and notions, a rotary cutter, etc. Ironing stations and cutting stations will be provided. A Quilt of Valor ceremony is planned for 1 p.m., with five local veterans receiving quilts. RSVP for seating count and if you need a kit to sew. Call Terry at 815-866-3534.

After the sew day, at 3 p.m. a fundraiser will be held by the Princeton Moose Lodge to support the cost of supplies to make the quilts. Each quilt takes about 100 hours and costs about $300 to $350 to make. There will be raffle baskets, a 50/50 drawing and music bingo from 3 to 6 p.m.