The Portland Quilt show (Northwest Quilting Expo) has been a terrific friend to Sew Powerful over the years, where we've told our story, recruited volunteers, and challenged purse makers to use their stash and skills to help girls in need. We're so sad we can't attend in 2021, but hope to be back in 2022.

The Northwest Quilting Show is such a great event each year because of the terrific support of the local sewing retailers, such as Montavilla. They are a long-time Pacific Northwest iconic - and beautiful people!

During prior shows we've met new friends from Portland, Vancouver, Tigard, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Salem, and even further away, and we'd love to meet you 'virtually' and tell you our story.

More About The Northwest Quilting Expo

September 23, 24 and 25, 2021
Portland Expo Center
Portland, Oregon

We’d love your help with our program designed to keep girls in school all month and provide jobs to seamstresses in Lusaka. Be sure to read all the details and download the Cross Body Purse pattern to begin making purses. It is a printable PDF file so you can begin using the pattern right now. Make as few or as many purses as you’d like. Take your time and make them as nice as possible. We want quality purses!

To learn more about how these purses create academic achievement in Zambia be sure to watch our videos and learn about the issue of Menstrual Hygiene Management. The girls like cute and colorful purses. If you need help with the pattern be sure to watch our free sew-along training video. If you prefer a beginner level purse pattern, you can download it here.

Sue Kirby is our Oregon Regional Team Leader. If you'd like to learn more about our regional efforts in Oregon, including events and area chapters that might be starting, be sure to contact at sue@sewpowerful.org.

Sew Powerful is a Christian ministry that exists to employ and empower people to pursue life in all its fullness. We do that by creating purposeful products that change communities-things like school uniforms, reusable hygiene pads, soap, and farm fresh food.

In Zambia, Sew Powerful employs our team with good paying jobs. Everywhere else in the world, we ask our team members to serve as volunteers. Many sew purses to hold the reusable feminine hygiene supplies we give to girls as an incentive to stay in school all month long. Sew Powerful has an incredibly low overhead rate of under 5%. You can give with confidence knowing that we are careful stewards of the funds we receive. Won’t you join us to help keep girls in school and give adults the dignity of work.