Julie Evans working on a duffle bag for Bags for Kids Sew-A-Thon (photo by Ellen Meyers)
Jane Gold
Julie Evans, QC Needlework member, recently participated in one of the most important days of the year for children in the foster care system: the Bags for Kids Sew-A-Thon to benefit Aviva Children’s Services.
A tradition 25 years in the making, the annual event was held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway.
This assembly-line-style production had more than 160 volunteers sew the bags from material that has been precut by other volunteers, while additional volunteers thread cords through bags and assist with lunch, moving product and affiliated tasks. Last year nearly 200 volunteers working together made 2,801 duffle bags in one day. This year, thanks to the Tucson area community, 3,213 bags were made, breaking last year’s in-person record and going well beyond the goal of 3,000!
The Quail Creek Needlework Club has supported Aviva Children’s Services for many years, and members have participated in the annual Sew-A-Thon in Tucson since 2015. Without these cloth bags, the children would be given plastic garbage bags for their personal possessions. The QC Needlework Club is proud to support such a worthwhile cause through our club’s mission of Gifted Hands, Giving Hearts!
The QC Needlework Club began in 2003 and provides members with a place to gather in a relaxed, friendly environment while crafting useful items through knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. Some items are donated to our charities, and some are for personal use. Work on a project of your choice—whatever you enjoy. No experience is needed. We can provide ideas and/or patterns. We also have supplies (yarn, needles and hooks, fabric, thread, sewing machines) for donations to our charities (including Aviva Children’s Services).
The QC edit Needlework studio is open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. You’re welcome to stop by Studio 104 in the Creative Arts and Technology Center.