The Virginia Tech Memorial Quilt Project was created shortly after the horrible shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Stephen and I were deeply troubled by this terrible tragedy. He is an alumnus of Virginia Tech. I (Grandma Rachel) worked at Tech for a few years; then owned a business in downtown Blacksburg. Both of us have very strong ties to Virginia Tech and the town of Blacksburg where the campus is located.

Quilters from all over the world have been asked to create 12” quilt blocks from pieces of Virginia Tech fabric. We sent Virginia Tech fabric to anyone who requested to be a part of the project in April and the first part of May. Now that this fabric has been distributed (over 45 yards), we are asking quilters who still want to participate to make a 12” quilt block in the Virginia Tech colors of maroon and orange. If you would like to make a block, please do not introduce other colors into the color scheme—add only maroon, orange and neutrals (white, black, gray, off white). Send the blocks to Grandma’s Attic when they are completed along with your name, address (city, state, country) and any comments you wish to have included.

A few of the Virginia Tech Blocks 

All of the quilt blocks we receive will be turned into Quilts that will be presented to Virginia Tech as a memorial to this event and a token of our love, concern and devotion to the university. This project is historically significant. It’s a way of sharing what we were thinking and feeling at this tragic moment in time with future generations. It’s also a way of sending a hug from the distance of time and place.

The overwhelming show of support for the students and faculty of Virginia Tech and all who were affected by the recent tragedy on that campus has been profoundly moving and deeply touching for Stephen and I to witness. We are completely humbled by everyone’s willingness to participate in this project and the beautiful blocks they have created.

The photos on this page depict just a very few of the blocks that we have received, including this beautiful, moving block in honor of Professor Librescu, the holocaust survivor who gave his life so his students could escape. People from nearly every state in America, and from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, have begun to send us blocks. We will post more pictures in the near future.

To read more about this project, click here to visit our blog