The Upstate’s Quilts of Valor chapter creates handmade, one-of-kind quilts to honor military service
“I don’t deserve it.” Kenneth Hinkle often hears this phrase when a handmade quilt gets wrapped around nominated military service members’ or veterans’ shoulders.
The quilts, given during special ceremonies, are civilian awards from the Quilts of Valor—Upstate SC, part of the nationwide Quilts of Valor Foundation. Whether draped over a sofa or placed on a bed, the washable quilts are meant to “bring color and lively patterns to the lives of those who have served our nation,” according to the foundation’s website.
“They’re all heroes. They all stood at one place at one time, raised their right hand, and solemnly swore to defend the Constitution,” says Hinkle, the Upstate chapter’s coordinator. A Vietnam veteran, he got involved with QOV after receiving a quilt in 2014.
Each quilt has five visible parts. The colorful top represents “the communities in this country and their diversity,” Hinkle says. “Then, the back is the strength of the quilt. In between is the batting—the comfort, the warmth, the healing of the quilt. Around it, you have this binding that holds the quilt together.” The fifth part is a rectangular white cotton label that tells the date and place of the quilt’s award ceremony, the awardee’s name, and the volunteers who made it.
But the sixth part isn’t seen. “It’s the love, the caring that goes into every Quilt of Valor,” Hinkle reveals. “I’ve seen people making quilts, and they’ll have tears in their eyes as they think about who’s going to get it. It’s amazing.”
Volunteers of all ages spend dozens of hours at home or with one of the chapter’s eight groups, turning pieces of red, white, and blue or military-colored cotton into intricate designs.
“It takes a special person to put a quilt together, and each turns out to be beautiful. No two are the same,” says Thomas Neideigh Jr., a volunteer with QOV-Upstate group 601, which meets monthly at Marietta’s Quilt & Sew in Simpsonville.
“Every quilt is more amazing than the last one,” Hinkle adds.
Upstate Quilts of Valor – By the Numbers
- Size: Usually 60 by 80 inches, although some custom sizes are made by request
- Hours to complete one quilt: 60 to 70
- Typical cost: $300 or more. Quilts are made with donated fabrics or fabrics and materials purchased with donated funds.
- Quilts awarded yearly: Nearly 1,200; 71 will be awarded during Veterans Day and private ceremonies this month.
For more information on the Quilts of Valor Upstate SC chapter, visit qovfupstatesc.com. To nominate a living military service member or veteran for a quilt, complete the nomination form on the Quilts of Valor Foundation website at .qovf.org/nominations-awards.
