Pictured (left to right) are Barbara West and Stephanie McCormick. Look at Barbara’s creation. She has offered to teach it in the Fall of 2019.
Desert Threads had a terrific meeting in June! The program was a presentation and demonstration by Amy Totty, owner of Bolts and More located at 3133 S. Lindsay Road, Suite 107, Gilbert. Her store offers a wide variety of fabrics and materials for crafts, including scrapbooking.
Amy demonstrated how to make beautiful fabric flowers for embellishing quilts, table runners, wall hangings and crafts. Then Amy spoke about her favorite charity, CeCe’s Hope Center, which is a place to help sex-trafficked young women from ages 17 to 22. These young women are generally victims of sex crimes and have been trafficked. Many are from the foster care program, which does not allow them to stay in foster care after they turn 17. Many find themselves homeless and turn to street life and prostitution to survive, as they have no resources, education or skills to obtain jobs. CeCe’s Hope Center helps these young women by providing a safe place to live as well as helping them move forward with their lives in a positive way.
She showed us a fleece “quillow” which is a blanket that folds into a pocket for ease of storage and portability. These are made in her shop, and anyone who wishes to stop in and help make them is welcome. The quillows, as well as a bag of personal care products, are given to the Sheriff’s Department and first responders to address the initial needs of victims. Amy is asking for donations of fleece fabric in two- to three-yard lengths which can be dropped off at Bolts and More, address listed above. Sometimes quilting takes us to unexpected and needed places, as Amy’s presentation demonstrated.
Our July program was a 4th of July celebration complete with a fun party of games, socializing and great treats. Members were encouraged to dress in patriotic colors and to bring and share their Red, White and Blue quilts.
Desert Threads continues to hold work days for members to work on their own projects or to continue making quilts for vets (kits are available) and other charity projects, as well as items for sale to help raise money for materials needed to complete our charity works.
In August, Desert Threads members will hold a Shop Hop, visiting various quilt shops in the Valley and, of course, no Shop Hop would be complete without a fun lunch out.
By September, we will be back at our location, Sun Lakes Phase 1 Arts and Crafts Room, second Wednesday of the month. All visitors and members welcome. We start at 9:30 a.m., but come early for snacks and coffee.
We hope to see you soon! Come join the fun!