SewEssentials seeking volunteers for new project; work day set for Saturday

QUINCY — SewEssentials is a local group of volunteers who began making masks at the start of the
pandemic and went on to create more than 25,000 and donate them throughout the community. Now the group is starting a new venture and looking for volunteers.

SewEssentials has joined “I Found a Quilted Heart”, a nationwide effort designed to spread random acts of kindness by making small quilted fabric hearts and hanging them on trees and bushes in public places to be found and taken home by strangers.

A work day to kick off the project will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in the SewEssentials workspace in the former bookstore space in the Quincy Town Center. You do not need to be able to sew to be a part of this effort. Everything needed will be available at no charge. Volunteers may come when they can and stay as long as they can.

“This is a great way for parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren, to spend a few
hours working together, then hanging some hearts around the community,” Debi Moore said in a press release. “We’re going to work, but we’re also going to have fun.”

SewEssentials also will be offering Beginning Sewing 101 every other month. The one-time class, which meets for two hours, still has openings for classes on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m.

“We are able to do these activities free of charge because of the continued support of the local
Kiwanians and generous donations of service organizations, companies and individuals in the
community,” Moore said. “We also welcome financial donations and in-kind donations of fabric,
craft supplies and especially time.”

Information about SewEsssentials can be found on its Facebook page by calling Moore at 217-430-8503 or by emailing SewEssentials@outlook.com.