The Strawberry Patchers became a Chapter of the Arizona Quilters Guild on October 1, 1994. We have an average of 35-45 members and welcome anyone who is interested in quilting at any skill level. We endeavor to promote the art of quilting, support quilting education, encourage activities related to quilt making, provide comfort to those in need, and contribute to other local philanthropic organizations.

Business Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month at the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library Activity Room, located in downtown Pine behind the Community Center. We start gathering at 9:00 a.m. and the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome. Business meetings are designed to provide direction for events and activities, approve expenditures, make decisions, hear committee reports, share tips and techniques, and show recently finished projects. We often have a block of the month or another take-home project in which members might choose to participate.

Mini-Quilt Camp is our newest event. Its two days of sewing on projects of your choice at our regular meeting room. A catered lunch is served so no one has to cook and we support local restaurants! Classes may be taught by members or an outside teacher. October sew days are extended to three days in order to concentrate on Community Service projects and comfort quilts. Donated fabric, patterns and kits are available for members to make comfort quilts. A potluck lunch helps us linger longer.

Our annual Quilt Show is the 2nd Friday & Saturday in June in the Cultural Hall at the Community Center in Pine. Over 100 quilts are on display along with educational vignettes. We have drawings, door prizes, demos, vendors and a bake sale. The public votes on viewers’ choice, and each local business that participates selects a quilt to be awarded a ribbon. Proceeds beyond expenses benefit local charities. Due to COVID our next show will be June 2022.

A “Secret Sister” luncheon is held in the Spring at a local business. In place of a business meeting, arrangements are made for a tea party where members bring a wrapped gift with a card identifying the giver at the bottom of the box or bag. Special favors are made by one of our members. Dues and money raised from within the group, called Member to Member funds, pays for the tea party. It’s one of the perks of membership.

Our Christmas Party replaces December’s business meeting wherein we gather at a member’s house to have a delightful lunch and play a gift exchange game. Like the Secret Sister party, lunch and party favors are paid for through dues and money raised from within. No public funds are spent on parties.

The Patchers pack up machines and projects for a three-day Quilt Camp in March at a camp in Prescott. Paying participants receive lodging and three meals per day. Besides marathon sewing, we play a few games and win prizes we’ve all donated for the event.

Our Chapter Structure includes an elected Board consisting of Chapter Chair, Chair Elect, Treasurer and Secretary. Other duties and committee chair positions are filled by members who volunteer cheerfully to make sure all Strawberry Patcher meetings, activities and events run smoothly. What a team!

Website: strawberrypatchers.com

Email: strawberrypatchers@gmail.com

Facebook: The Strawberry Patchers

The Strawberry Patchers Charitable Funding 2020

·         Lacey Oldland Scholarship $500

·         Pine Strawberry Food Bank $800

·         Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library $500

·         Pine Strawberry Elementary School – Reading Program $450

·         Pine Strawberry Elementary School – Art & Drama Program $200

·         Pine Straw. Elem. Sch. – Christmas Tree Auction Fund Raiser $100

·         Payson School District # 10 – Reading Program Grades 1-3 $400

·         Humane Society of Northern AZ $400

·         Pine Strawberry Archaeological & Historical Society $600

·         Payson Community Kids $400

·         Time Out Shelter $300

·         New Beginnings $300

·         Dueker Ranch Horse Therapy $500

·         Katie’s Closet $500

·         NAMI Payson (National Alliance on Mental Illness) $500

TOTAL Charitable Funding for 2020 -$6,500.00

The Strawberry Patchers Community Service Projects

·         Christmas Stockings for the Food Bank

·         Easter Bags for the annual children’s community Easter Egg Hunt

·         Make comfort quilts for those in need in our communities (50 given in 2020)

·         Donate Quilts for many community events & functions

The Strawberry Patchers Fund-Raising Events

·         Annual Quilt Show in June

Pine Strawberry Business Community Festivals