Community Service

Bringing Fiber Art to Our Community!

A part of our mission as a non-profit is to support the Austin Fiber Arts with everything from donating supplies to local groups to giving free technique lessons. Tell us what your group’s art or programs needs are and we’ll be happy to create activities suitable for them. Please contact us at president@austinfiberartists.org

Fiber Art Bookmarks

One of our most popular community art activities is making fiber arts bookmarks. We bring a pile of lovely fabric scraps that kids of all ages can collage onto cardstock bookmarks. The glue is kid-friendly, scissors are not required but available to big kids.

Weaving Kits

Kids can create change purses or cellphone cases, ‘mug rugs’ aka coasters, or just interesting art with our weaving kits. The loom is a scrap of cardboard ready to weave with weft threads, brightly colored yarns are provided along with a blunt plastic needle and instructions. Several different woven effects are possible with this kit. These are suitable for patient kids aged 8 upwards. Contact us to receive some for your group!

Embroidery Kits

Kids can learn basic embroidery stitches by sewing bright yarns on burlap with a large plastic needle. Instructions for stitches are included. These are suitable for patient kids aged 8 upwards.

Past Service Activities

June 2019 – May 2020

  • Individual AFA members used their fiber arts skills to enrich our community:
    • AFA member donated 3 bags of fleece to the art teacher, Terri Dyer, at Cedar Creek Elementary School in the Bastrop ISD.
    • AFA member donated cardboard cones to the Dripping Springs Elementary School.
    • AFA member donated 2 boxes of soft sculptured hand crocheted and handmade owls to the Ronald McDonald House and also Camp Braveheart, Hospice Austin Sumer Camp.
    • AFA donated sewing kits to Safe Place teacher Cema to distribute to the sheltered women.
    • AFA members made face masks and surgical hats to donate for the prevention of the Corona virus.
    • AFA members made fabric hearts to hang in downtown Round Rock businesses in support of medical heroes.
    • AFA member made 21 quilt tops to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
    • AFA member made receiving blankets for Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
    • AFA member donated lots of fabric to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
  • AFA provided and staffed a fiber arts bookmark making table at the Austin Arts Fair in November. Two long tables of scraps fueled a day of creation, inspired by an art display by AFA members.

June 2018 – May 2019

  • Donated fabric to Deer Park Middle School.
  • Donated quilting supplies and fabric to Girl’s Middle School – Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
  • Delivered 220 handmade holiday cards to the Meals on Wheels clients of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
  • Delivered 25 handmade valentine cards to residents at the Austin Supported Living Center.
  • Donated shampoo and shower gel packages to the Monte Siesta Nursing Home.

June 2017 – May 2018

  • Donated fabrics, paint, glue, etc. to a Girl’s Middle School – Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
  • Gave Boxes of fabric to the Hays County High School art program.
  • Gave sewing kits to elementary school.
  • Held a free activity booth at the Sunset Valley Art Fest, where people could create fabric collage bookmarks, experiment with a tabletop loom, set stitches in a tapestry frame, or learn finger weaving. We also gave away stitchery kits with burlap, yarn, a needle and some simple instructions.

June 2016 – May 2017

  • Donated yarn to the Deer Park Middle School for a Yarn Bombing (October)
  • Donated quilting supplies to Deer Park Middle School
  • Gave several boxes of fabric to the Hays County High School Art Teacher

June 2015- May 2016

  • Gave 20 hand-made quilt tops to Holy Cross Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • An AFA member donated handmade scarves to Austin Scarf Project.
  • Put in numerous hours at Holy Cross Church to tie quilts and pack up school kits and baby care kits.
  • Two of our members donated 20 quilt tops to Holy Cross Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • Made 9 baby bundles quilts for the Austin Area Quilt Guild’s drive.
  • Put together 100 kits with sewing patches to give to Manor IDS.
  • Gave 9 quilt tops and about 20 pounds of fabric to Holy Cross Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • Assembled 80 sewing kits for the 2nd graders at Barton Hills Elementary School.
  • Put in 20 hours helping tie quilts with Holy Cross World Relief.
  • An AFA member made 20 quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • Ran an art activities at the 2016 Women’s Empowerment Conference which featured embroidery kits, fabric collage bookmarks, and tumbled glass suncatchers.
  • Ran a booth at Maker Faire, featuring demonstrations and free fabric collage bookmarks.

2014 Donations

  • An AFA member spent 15 hours helping Lutheran World Relief make quilt tops.
  • An AFA member donated art supplies to the art therapy for mentally ill individuals program at Austin State Hospital.
  • Participated in Mini-Maker Faire in May.
  • An AFA member painted memory boxes for families who have lost their newborn at North Austin St. David’s Hospital and an award plaque for the
  • disabled veterans who are preparing for a triathlon – the ‘RWB’- Red, White and Blue Team.
  • Donated 32 hand-made quilt tops to Holy Cross Lutheran World Relief.
  • Tied 8 quilts and sewed the binding on 10 quilts for Holy Cross Lutheran World Relief Organization.

2013 Donations

  • An AFA member made 14 quilt tops and 7 school kit bags and donated baby socks and soap for Baby care kits for Lutheran World Relief Organization
  • An AFA member donated 4 quilts that belonged to her grandmother to be used for Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • An AFA member made 15 lap robe quilts with the “Piece on Earth” Quilters at the Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church. The quilts were donated to “Meals on Wheels”.

2012 Donations

  • Donated 20 receiving blankets, 20 diapers, 6 pairs of socks, one baby sweater for Lutheran World Relief Organization.
  • Contributed 20 quilt tops in 2012 to Lutheran World Relief.
  • Finished 25 school kit bags and donated them to Lutheran World Relief
  • We also gave financial support to Lutheran World Relief.

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