Good morning,

Wow! Mid-March already.   You guys have really done well taking on the requests for the troops in the Sinai and also those who have gone to Europe to train the Ukranians.  Thank you!   I know there will be some happy faces when these quilts and bags turn up. There are still a few left if you have the capacity. See below under priority requests.

Crests and Patches.

I know a lot of our requests are asking for certain crests and patches and I thought I would take a moment to explain that that entails. I suspect some of you find it a little intimidating. For example, take a look at this request. They have asked for a Navy (RAN) Crest, a list of their deployments and crests of the ships that they have served on.

RAN Crest,

Op Catalyst 2004/05

Op Falconer 2003

Op Slipper 2002

Op Slipper 2011

Crests for HMAS Darwin, Toowoomba, Anzac, Childers, Broome, Maitland, Ararat

The RAN crest will be provided as an embroidery, usually on blue fabric but that can be varied depending on what you would like. The details can be embroidered as a separate patch.  The Ship’s crests will all be printed on to fabric for you to applique or piece into the quilt.  The rest of the quilt can be completed using whatever blocks or design you like.  Imagine making a quilt with 15 blocks, three across and five down. You could easily create two blocks around the RAN crest and the deployment patches and then create 13 other blocks, seven of which could have the Ship’s crests appliqued on them. There are lots of block designs that you could use. I have included a very rough drawing of a plan you could use but there are loads of other options and some of you are way more creative than me.

I am hoping that this makes it a bit less intimidating for some of you when you look at the request list. If you have any other questions or want something else clarified or explained please let me know and I will do my best to write something up for you.

PRIORITY REQUESTS

Requests 1, 2, and 3 are deployed to the Sinai and are still waiting patiently for someone to take on their request.   Requests 4, 5, 6 and 7 are off with Op Kudu and are also waiting patiently. Post by date for these is 10 April or earlier if possible.

Here is the request list for this week. Happy hunting. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 17 April 2023 please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it.  Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank you.

Request Information

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and include only one of their interests.  It is fine to keep it simple.

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated….i.e. one of the following please….There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list.

Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there.  We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKeyS number given to you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKeyS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below.

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432

TG 3456

AFPO XX

ADF

Sydney NSW 2890

Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender –  the PO Box is a safe place in the event of  any mishaps with postage.

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags)

PO Box 248

Cherrybrook NSW 2126

Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKeyS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops.  I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring.

If you are using a AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination.

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you.

Helpful info may be gleaned here from Information For Those That Sew

I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.

For example….

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request. If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy or write the line out as above as:

Marvel Theme. Ironman   M   LB   1

Decoding The Columns:

The first column is the theme or preferences requested.

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient:

F = female

M = male

The third column is as follows:

B = both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish)

Q = just a quilt

LB = just a laundry bag

The fourth column is the number of the request.

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions….Just email contactus@aussieheroquilts.org.au

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching!

Cheers,

Jan-Maree

P.P.S.  Don’t forget to check out AHQ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.