Several events and activities are planned for this year to educate, entertain, motivate, and gather together those interested in the many aspects of quilting. Desert Threads sponsors lectures at meetings, classes, and various quilt-related activities. Arizona Quilters Guild (AQG), the parent organization, plans the annual Quilt Show at the Mesa Convention Center on March 21 to March 23. Online entries are due Jan. 6. All quilters are encouraged to enter quilts for this Arizona State-level show. Judges evaluate the entries, and awards are presented at the ceremony on March 21. There will be vendor booths and special exhibits from different chapters from around the state, so mark your calendar. Anyone can volunteer for one or two hours of duty and then get free entry to the show. Sign-up is on the website. This is the quilt show to see in 2024. Find more information at www.arizonaquiltersguild.org.

At the Dec. 13 meeting Desert Threads members presented the finished quilts that had been in the “making it” stage from before 2023. These are called “UFOs” (UnFinished Objects) or might also be known as “PUPs” (Poor Unfinished Projects). Diana Jones shared the “Block of the Month” pattern with those who participate in this activity. Each month, a new block design is revealed. When all blocks have been finished, a quilt is put together. Quilt teacher Alyce Leach showed some gorgeous quilts and lectured about “Curves in Quilting.” This technique uses “Sew Kind of Wonderful” rulers. The Jan. 10 meeting will feature Pam Rockley lecturing about “Ten Sisters” patterns and techniques. Attendees will learn about this easy piecing technique.

Desert Threads Quilt Chapter invites anyone interested in learning more about quilts to come to our meetings on the second Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. (registration is at 9 a.m.) in the Computer Learning Center at the Sun Lakes Cottonwood clubhouse. Announcements will be made about classes, sew and quilt days, future meeting plans, challenges, quilt activities, and a future celebration. For more information, send an email to [email protected] (include both “T”s).