Quilt squares for our Marines!!

[Chea]

Dear Marines, Friends and family,
As many of you know we have worked tirelessly to support our Marines and military who are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We have been sending out over 200 boxes a month right now! We have also been very active in getting supplies to our troops in Landstuhl as well.
Today I come to you with a different request. A quilt square of your own making. My goal is to collect 1,500 squares to donate to the Marine Comfort Quilt group. This awesome group makes quilts for the next of kin of all servicemen and women, from ALL branches, who have been killed in Iraq. This is huge undertaking and they have a great need of quilt squares. We ask your help in meeting our goal by the end of February. You do not have to sew or be overly creative. As long as it comes from your heart is all that matters. I also ask that you pass this email on to any and all who may be interested.

Specifics of size, and content of these quilt squares.
*Fabric should be washable.
*Cut each corner of the material on the diagonal so that it won't unravel during washing.
*Wash fabric in a mild detergent before cutting to the raw size. (If you don't prewash the material, the message may run after washing and the raw square may shrink to a less than ideal size).
*Iron, if necessary, before cutting your squares.
Raw (unfinished) size is a square measuring 12.5" X 12.5".
*All decoration or writing must fit inside the finished size of 11" X 11".
TIP: Cut a small "slit" in the material and then "rip it". That ensures that your edge is straight. This is done running with the grain. The grain is the straight side of the material.
*SIGN YOUR NAME SOMEWHERE INSIDE THE 11 X 11 ALLOWED DECORATABLE AREA
There are no hard and fast rules here. Go with your heart. A simple thank you, favorite or fitting scripture or quote.

How many squares per quilt?
1 embroidered Branch of Service square,
1 "name" square,
28 squares from different sources will go into each quilt,

What should I do for a square?
Write something on the square in your handwriting. Something you are grateful for that this Marine/soldier did for his/her country. A scripture, a saying you think is appropriate, a quote from an author you like. There are no hard and fast rules. Go with your heart.
*Use a sharpie or permanent marker.
*Use embroidery, paint pen or permanent stamps to decorate.
*Permanent heat (iron on) transfers.
*Patches, decals that can withstand washing and drying.

Mail your finished squares to
WMA Motor City
c/o Mary Ann Merritt
Box 590
Romeo, Mi 48065

You can check out the Marine Comfort Quilt site located at:
http://www.marinecomfortquilts.us/

[PrairieRose]

I know of a parent that received a Marine Comfort Quilt and it was awesome. I hope you get lots of squares. Unfortunately I don't sew well enough to contribute...