At the November Arizona Quilters Guild Fall Meeting in Phoenix, the Desert Threads quilt chapter received their Arizona Quilters Guild Charter and formal recognition as Arizona’s newest “AQG” Quilt Chapter. With a startup membership of almost 30, Desert Threads is growing by leaps and bounds and looks forward to a very exciting 2019. The group has already made charity work a top priority with the December completion of many quilted placemats for Sun Lakes-based Neighbors Who Care, a wonderful volunteer group that, among other things, delivers dinners to clients who cannot get out to shop or have disabilities. These colorful placemats were added to the NWC Holiday gift package to clients.
At the December 12 meeting, Desert Threads elected new officers and passed their chapter by-laws. Elected as 2019 president was Sue Bart, vice-president is Chris Callahan, the position of secretary is held by Glenna Reeves and the treasurer is Linda Piasecki, with Melody Fogelsanger serving as program chair. There were also many volunteer committee coordinators approved like membership, publicity, charity, hospitality, newsletter, show and tell, Parliamentarian, block-of-the-month and AQG Quilt Show Liaison to name a few.
Desert Threads is always open to new members and quilters of any ability or interest, regardless of where you live. Everyone is welcome to visit and consider joining, although yearly membership in the Arizona Quilters Guild is required. A friendly and encouraging atmosphere in which to develop your quilting skills is very important to Desert Threads.
The Chapter holds one business meeting a month with a quilting-themed program and one quilting workshop as well. Meeting days are the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Arts and Craft Room of Phase 1, inside the Sun Lakes Country Club meeting facility off Sun Lakes Boulevard. Workshops are held in the same room, but on the first Wednesday of the month. Dues for Desert Threads are $20.00.
The upcoming January 2 workshop is planned for making fidget lap quilts for Neighbors Who Care clients with memory disabilities. These specific quilts are expressly designed with client safety and mental stimulation in mind. There are buttons to button, zippers to pull, ribbons that need tying and a whole host of other things to do, while offering the warmth and comfort of a lap-sized quilt. Our workspace has room for at least 25 sewers and is warm, bright and welcoming, so come over and stay awhile, and help us sew.
Desert Threads’ next regular meeting day is January 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Arts and Crafts Room. Coffee and breakfast treats are often available, so drop by in January and check us out. Mark your calendar for the January 2 workshop and the January 9 meeting. We will be looking for you.