The six-county region of Northeastern Iowa is jam packed with things for you to do and see. Whether you like arts and culture, fine dining, festivals, history museums, shopping, or the great outdoors, you will find something for everyone. Hike to the top of a bluff or bike down in the valleys, the views are spectacular. Visit Backbone State Park, the Osborne Nature Center, White Water Park, and you can’t miss the world’s largest strawberry in Strawberry Point! Yet among all these great attractions, the friendliness of local residents might be the greatest natural resource of all.

Meet the welcoming members of the Sew Powerful of NE Iowa Chapter, famous for their annual ‘Purses and Pies’ workshop. The creative and talented members of this chapter work together to share their passion for keeping girls in school in Zambia. They warmly accept anyone with an interest in sewing and creating craft notes. The Sew Powerful of NE Iowa Chapter meets quarterly. If you live in Elkader, Arlington, Olwein, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Dubuque, Dyersville, Manchester, Edgewood, Greeley, Strawberry Point, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Farley, Epworth, Peosta, Prairie du Chien, WI, Colesburg, Independence, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Cedar, or Dubuque counties, this chapter is for you!

The purses you make will be gifted to schoolgirls in the African country of Zambia. The purses will be filled with reusable feminine hygiene supplies, soap, and underwear so the girl can attend school all month. Sew Powerful hires adults in Zambia living in extreme poverty. They are trained and paid a living wage to make the contents of the purses. The result is a triple benefit:

• Schoolgirls have a chance to excel in their studies and complete their education.
• Adults earn wages to feed, clothe, and house their families, giving them dignity and hope.
• Volunteers use their talents to make purses bringing them immeasurable joy knowing their efforts have changed lives.

Sew Powerful exhibits in many Quilting and Sewing expos throughout the United States and internationally. We would love to meet you in person at one of these events!

Until then, follow the links below to get started right away.

• Get the FREE Sew Powerful Purse Patterns HERE
• Join our Sew Powerful Purse Project Facebook group HERE
• Stay up to date on on-line and in person events HERE.