Desert Threads Elects New Executives for 2020-2021

Sue Bart

Our February meeting presenter was Sue Bunch. She had a very interesting slide presentation from a factory in Texas where Alpaca wool is processed. We learned about the many steps needed to raise the Alpacas, sheer their wool, clean it, and process it for crafters. Sue showed beautiful examples of items she made using needle felting techniques. Members were encouraged to try their hand at felting. Items can be made to embellish quilts or for other projects.

At our annual meeting on March 11, members elected new executive officers to serve July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. They are President Diana Jones, VP Diane Mitchell, Secretary Nancy Bonngard, Treasurer Laurie Orendorff, and Programs Blanca Sanchez. Members approved an operating budget for next year. The Chapter’s Fabric Challenge was revealed, and favorites received gift certificates from a local quilt shop.

At the March meeting, Fran Dill parked her “Sew Bella Quilt Cart” in the west parking lot with her cute quilt shop on wheels. She showed several of the quilts made from books, patterns, kits, and pre-cut fabrics that she carries. In April, we will hear from Diane Pitchford, a certified quilt judge.

The Arizona Quilters’ Guild held their annual Quilt Show, “Desert Stars,” at the Mesa Convention Center, Feb. 27-29. The event included lectures, a class about coloring quilts with pencils, vendors, a display of over 300 quilts, and a “Build a Quilt” section. In this section, attendees helped make quilts for the local First Responders to give to traumatized victims. If you missed this show, be sure to put March 25-27 on your calendar to see next year’s show, “A Kaleidoscope of Quilts.”

Desert Threads is chartered as a Chapter of Arizona Quilters’ Guild, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We accept members from all over the East Valley, regardless of skills or quilting interest. We meet in Sun Lakes on the second Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Arts & Crafts Room behind the Sun Lakes Country Club building. We welcome anyone, regardless of your interest, knowledge, or skills about quilting to come to our meetings. For more information, email [email protected].