Marianne Fons: To Honor With Quilts

Love of Quilting has developed a deep library of patriotic patterns for one specific reason: Marianne Fons found out about the Quilts of Valor® Foundation. What started out as interest developed into a full-blown passion for her, one that she worked to ensure the quilting community knows about. We’ve carried on the tradition of publishing at least one Quilt of Valor®-friendly pattern in each issue, and showcasing one of those patterns in each TV series of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting. Here, she shares how she grew so connected to the Quilts of Valor® mission, and presents the most popular patriotic quilts from the Fons & Porter archives.

About Marianne Fons

Marianne Fons, cofounder of Fons & Porter, didn’t grow up in what could be considered a “military” family, though her father and brothers all served. Instead, her interest in Quilts of Valor® was first caught by the sheer size of this subset of quilters.

“I met QOVF founder Catherine Roberts when the foundation was still in its infancy,” says Marianne. “When I became involved, QOVF had recorded around 40,000 Quilts of Valor® awarded. I multiplied that number by $250—as the approximate cost of materials for one quilt—and got $10 million. And I felt my industry needed to know about this.”

The Quilts of Valor® Foundation

Having built a quilting business from the ground up alongside Liz Porter, Marianne knew just how significant this was for the quilting industry. So she agreed to serve as liaison for QOVF within the quilting community, spreading the word not only about the foundation’s mission, but its contribution. Her heart truly became committed, however, when she awarded her first quilt.

“Valiant Eagle was a really beautiful quilt, if I say so myself. I awarded it to Dan Collins, a Vietnam veteran exactly my age who had been severely wounded just before he was to ship out for R&R. I met him quite by chance. In fact, I had never given a quilt to someone I didn’t know,” says Marianne. When she visited him a few weeks later to get a photo, Collins told her that he napped under his quilt every single day.

More Than Just a Quilt

“He said to me, ‘I’m always cold, because of Agent Orange, and this quilt is nice and warm.’ That was maybe a decade ago, now. I like to think of Valiant Eagle as well worn, but holding up nicely for Dan.” Since then, she has awarded maybe 20 or so quilts. “Some quilters in the QOVF community have made 50, 100, even 200, so I’ll never catch up!” She even knows some quilters that travel with an extra quilt in their car, just in case they encounter a veteran who has not been awarded.

What accounts for this passion amongst quilters? “It’s simple,” Marianne says. “Quilters who have been quilting a long time have made quilts for every member of their family, maybe even the raffle quilt for their guild. When they make and award a Quilt of Valor®, the impact on the recipient is often obvious, far greater than that of any quilt they’ve given before. An enjoyable hobby becomes a form of national service, and quilters are moved to make and award another, and another, and another!”

Quilts of Valor® Requirements

Generally, Quilts of Valor® shouldn’t be too complex. While they should use 100% cotton and be well-made, they are not for competition. They are meant for the awardee’s use. “The recipients are generally non-quilters, so a simple star is just as beautiful to them as a Mariner’s Compass might be.”

In fact, Marianne confesses, she used to be a ‘snob’ about pre-printed panels, but has come around to them after seeing the reaction of the recipients. “The designs that fabric companies have created in recent years are gorgeous, and there’s no quicker way to get a quilt started. When these quilts with eagles and other imagery are awarded, there are always ooh’s and ah’s from the audience.”

About the Ceremony

Ceremonies to present Quilts of Valor® are encouraged, and there are tips on conducting ceremonies found on their website. There is also useful information and inspiring stories in the QOVF’s newsletter, THREADS, which Marianne occasionally writes for and still proofreads. It’s good to subscribe to keep up—the mission of the Quilts of Valor® continues to grow and expand.

“The first QOVs were for young soldiers wounded in Iraq. The mission then broadened to Vietnam War combat veterans, then all combat veterans, and now to all who have served, which makes our mission rather daunting, but appropriate, in my opinion.”

As of July 1, 2023, more than 318,400 quilts quilts have been awarded to service members and veterans and military service members. “If every man, woman, and child would make and award just one Quilt of Valor®,” says Marianne, “think of the impact that would have!” And did you know that our top QOV patterns all have accompanying video? Hear the stories, learn the techniques, make—and award—the quilt!