Camelback Mountain is visible almost everywhere in the Phoenix area, including in Scottsdale, home of the Valley of the Sun Purse Makers. The talented and friendly members of this Sew Powerful Chapter love sharing their sewing skills and produce creative and colorful purses to send to the schoolgirls in Zambia. The Chapter meets at a quilt shop conveniently located in Central Phoenix, but they are open to meeting in other locations too. The Chapter welcomes new members, especially those who could make and write the encouragement cards that go inside each purse. Even if you don’t sew, or don’t feel too crafty, if you can handle a pair of scissors, they will put you to work cutting out purses. If you live in Scottsdale, Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, or Fountain Valley, you should consider joining this creative and welcoming group.

Attractions like the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Heard Museum and Spring baseball training bring visitors to the Phoenix area. However, our sewing friends may plan their spring trips to sunny Phoenix to attend the annual Arizona Quilters Guild show, where 3 dozen Arizona quilting chapters display their beautiful creations. The Phoenix Area Quilt Association recently hosted members of the Valley of the Sun Purse Makers at an informational meeting, and now Sew Powerful counts those talented quilters among our purse makers too. And when QuiltCon was held in Phoenix, members of the Valley of the Sun Purse Makers introduced Sew Powerful to the hundreds of visitors to our booth. There are so many Sew Powerful purse makers in the Phoenix area now, that the Chapter has graciously agreed to be a purse drop-off point so local purse makers can avoid paying for shipping to the Sew Powerful headquarters.

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.