SUN CITY- It was a typical Friday morning for interior designer and Interior Motives owner Jane Hoeft and her son, Tim Hoeft. Both were heading to work, which consists mainly of installing window treatments for their customers living in Sun City.
Jan Hoeft, owner of Interior Motives in Huntley, looks over fabric used by the Sew ‘N Sews of Sun City. Until recently, Hoeft did not know that the fabrics she donated to the group were turned into items for those in need. (Photo by Hannah Sturtecky/Sun Day)
With a large amount of fabric and sample books in her car, Hoeft planned to make a slight detour before work to donate her excess fabric to the quilting club known as the Sew ‘N Sews in Sun City.
Hoeft has been donating her extra fabric for the group for the past eight years. She knew they put the fabric to good use, but she was unaware of what exactly they created with it.
After what she planned to be a quick drop-off of fabric to the Sew ‘N Sews’ meeting room inside Prairie Lodge, the visit turned out to be something else.
Upon arriving, she found a buzzing atmosphere filled with members of the club cutting, sewing, chatting, and laughing all while crafting quilts.
Rather than following through with her planned routine donation, Hoeft was witnessing the Sew ‘N Sews in action, doing what they do best.
“I was very appreciative,” said Hoeft, upon realizing what the Sew ‘N Sews did with the donated fabric. “I was surprised how resourceful they were with the amount they were using and how they were using it.”
After her arrival and warm welcome, Hoeft received a 20-minute tour of the Sew ‘N Sews room.
“I was touched because I actually recognized some of the fabric I donated in the past in their work,” said Hoeft.
Hoeft donates extra fabric and fabric sample books an average of four times per year. In total, Hoeft estimates to donate at least 10 to 15 yards of fabric per visit. If it wasn’t donated, most of the fabric would be thrown away or burnt. Instead, the Sew ‘N Sews put it to use all for a good cause.
Sandy Miss of the Sew ‘N Sews, sews using donated fabric from Jan Hoeft’s store, Interior Motives. (Photo by Hannah Sturtecky/Sun Day)
The Sew ‘N Sews had their first meeting in 2000. At first, only 10 woman were in the club. Among them was Charlene Kelly, one of the club’s original members.
As the years passed, the club increased in size and projects. A strong drive behind the Sew ‘N Sews is Project Linus, in which the group sews quilts for children as an item of comfort and moral support. The quilts are then distributed to various hospitals.
The Sew ‘N Sews also make dog beds for animal shelters. Quilts are also made for soldiers returning from war, otherwise referred to as Quilts of Valor.
Liss Kundich, overseer of the Sew ‘N Sews, estimates that each month the club makes between an average of 120 to 150 quilts. Carol Birosak, a Sew ‘N Sews’ member, with the most experience making dog beds, estimates that over 100 dog beds are made over a two-year time span.
Kundich estimates a grand total of 7000 quilts have been sewn since her arrival to the Sew ‘N Sews in 2002.
The Sew ‘N Sews also receive fabric from various vendors besides Interior Motives, including: Material Girl in Crystal Lake, Quilt N’ Joy in Huntley, Judy’s Quilt and Sew in Hampshire, and Touch of Amish in Barrington.
The Sew ‘N Sews consider themselves blessed by the generous fabric donations. Without the donations, the large number of quilts made would not be possible.
“I have a philosophy: you can make a charity quilt and throw it out the door and never miss a child that needs one,” said Kundich. “A quilt gives you that kind of care and sense of well-being.”
