Volunteers and Donations Needed for the Iowa State Fair Sew-In

DES MOINES, IA (06/08/2016)(readMedia)-- The eighth annual Iowa State Fair Sew-In is seeking fabric donations and volunteers for the 2016 Iowa State Fair, August 11-21. The free program offers Fairgoers of any skill level a chance to try their hand at sewing and quilting while providing warm blankets to local children in need. Since the Sew-In began in 2009, volunteers have created 1,933 quilts for Iowa children in need.

You can participate in the Sew-In program by:

• Donations of five-inch wide strips (cut width of fabric)

• Donations of 2 yards of fabric in all-cotton juvenile prints and patterns for quilt fronts and backings

• Donations of cash are accepted to help cover the costs of quilt batting and materials

• Volunteer sewing assistants

All donations should be labeled for the Sew-In Project and can be dropped off at the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds or they can be mailed to the Iowa State Fair Competitive Events Department: P.O. Box 57130, Des Moines, IA 50317

Volunteers are asked to commit to 4 hour shifts, and a site supervisor will be on-hand to supply materials and help with machines. All sewing assistants will receive one parking pass and an admission ticket to the Fair.

At the 2015 State Fair Sew-In, volunteers and along with the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild completed 437 quilts. 2016 quilts will be donated to children at the Angel Tree Camps, Children's Behavioral Health Unit at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Lutheran Social Services of Iowa, Child Serve and other area agencies that serve children.

The Sew-In will be open daily during the Fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the south hallway of the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building. Fairgoers are invited to stop in and try their hand at quilting basics (no experience necessary). Each participant will receive a commemorative pin for their efforts.

If you are interested in donating, volunteering or receiving more information about the Sew-In, contact Dorothy Faidley by phone at 515/994-2039 or by email at dorothyfaidley@gmail.com or Sharon Meisenheimer by phone at 515/986-1145 or by email at rmeis@aol.com

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2016 Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.