A quilt for charity was made from scraps by Desert Threads in one day. Pictured are Marion Kersnick, Jill Eskew, Joan Carver, Eva Brewster, and Diana Jones.
Sue Bart
Members of Desert Threads, a Chapter of the Arizona Quilters Guild, worked together to make a quilt in one day during a sewing day. Many scrap pieces were cut by Diana Jones using an Accuquilt Go machine. She brought them to the sewing day. Members then pieced the squares into the quilt top, measuring 47.5 by 64 inches. The pieces were placed randomly, without regard to color, but considering only light or dark value. It will be quilted and then will have a binding added. A beautiful quilt can be made quickly out of scraps left from other projects, or even from old clothing. This quilt will be donated to one of Desert Threads’ charities as part of the Community Service activities. Participating members were Nancy Bonngard, Eva Brewster, Joan Carver, Jody Edwards, Jackie Fife, Diana Jones, Marion Kersnick, and Jill Eskew.
At the Oct. 13 regular meeting, members played some fun games. Participants brought 2-1/2-inch strips of pre-cut fabric to exchange as an ante during the games. In the afternoon, several members got together to stitch their winnings into quilt tops or blocks, using a variety of ideas presented by Mary Platt and Pat Sinclair. The winners were challenged to make a block to bring to the next meeting in November.
Desert Threads members were at the various Community Days Open House events around Sun Lakes. They talked to people about our group and the things we do. New members joined after hearing about how much fun we have learning and getting together with each other. Even during the shutdowns from the pandemic, we got together virtually. This year’s Opportunity Quilt was on display, and visitors could purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning the beautiful handmade quilt. This quilt is our primary fundraiser for the year and helps us pay for teachers to learn new quilting skills and to purchase materials for quilts we give to charities around town. We will be selling tickets until the Arizona Quilters Guild show March 24-26, at which, we will draw for the winner. The show will be at the Mesa Convention Center. Learn more at www.arizonaquiltersguild.org.
Desert Threads is a chapter of the Arizona Quilt Guild (AQG) which has been holding monthly lectures and classes over Zoom so that members can participate, regardless of where they are living. Our chapter meets during the daytime. You can learn about our local quilt group by sending an email to [email protected]. You will receive a return email with information. You can ask questions and get a digital copy of our newsletter.