President - Barbara Johnson
President@desertthreads.org

I am a native Arizonan living in Eastmark (in Southeast Mesa) with Jack, my husband of 52 years.  Happily, our daughters and their families also live nearby keeping us busy, busy, busy! 

My sewing journey began in childhood with a mother who loved sewing and needlework.  I enjoyed my first stitching before age 10, sewing many of my own clothes by the time I was a teen, and later making wedding gowns for my two daughters.  I made my first quilt in my 20s as a baby shower gift for a close friend. I think it was a Simplicity pattern and had applique baby clothes on a clothesline.  (Remember clotheslines!)  I didn’t really get into high gear with quilt making until my first grandchild was born in 2000.  Those early quilts are in happy shreds! A decade later, as I eased toward retirement, quilting became a welcome obsession. I love the design-planning part and piece work! I love the quilting part!! I love the shopping part!!!  Workdays in my studio usually start around 6-7 AM and go at least through the morning.  Sewing is my constant in a life of constant change.  It has been my therapy at times, and always a source of joy (except maybe when sewing buttons on little Easter dresses at crunch time late hours!).  Every day I experience challenge, learning and satisfaction through this avocation, and I am ever thankful for it.  I appreciate the many quilting friendships that continue to develop along the way. Thanks to Denise and Blanca for bringing me into Desert Threads a couple years ago! I am pleased at the idea of service to the Desert Threads community!  

Always… Onward & Upward!

Secretary - Linda Jacobson
Secretary@desertthreads.org

I am originally from Minnesota, via California, Virginia, Tucson, AZ and now Sun Lakes.  I joined Desert Threads in October, 2025.  I started sewing in junior high and loved it ever since.  I'm a self taught quilter of a few years, so I'm really excited to expand my quilting skills through Desert Threads!  I'm also very happy to be participating in the charity quilt program, it always feels good to give back! 

Treasurer - Carla Faust
Treasurer@desertthreads.org

I am a snow-bird from Lino Lakes, Minnesota (Nov - April). My husband and I purchased our place in Sun Lakes in 2022 and love the active life-style of this community. I joined Desert Threads in 2023 after being invited by my neighbor. I joined the Community Service Committee at that time and have enjoyed our work days and various projects that give back to our community. I have sewed on and off since Junior High Home Ec days(!), but really began quilting about 10 years ago. I am mostly self-taught so I really appreciate the education and  classes offered by Desert Threads.

I am a retired CPA and financial executive. My most recent position was Chief Financial Officer of a large non-profit healthcare provider. I was also the Treasurer for my son’s Boy Scout Troop for a number of years. My skill set and financial background gives me the ability to competently manage the finances for Desert Threads. 

VP Education - Charlene Benneman
Education@desertthreads.org

I am originally from a suburb of Philadelphia, PA.  Thirty years ago I moved to Gilbert, AZ with my husband of 55 years.  Ten years ago, after retiring from a career in Human Resources, I  relocated to Casa Grande where I wait hand and paw on two dogs.  I spend 9 months of the year in Casa Grande and travel over the summer to  various locations in the USA in an RV.   I have been sewing since I was a child. 40 years ago I started quilting and recently I found a new obsession with the addition of an embroidery machine.

VP Membership - Maryellen Swanson

Membership@desertthreads.org

I have been a member of the Desert Threads Chapter since 2022, just post Covid. In my previous life I was an Emergency Nurse working in a Trauma Center. One of my co/workers got me started on my quilting journey by gifting me a mat, ruler and rotary cutter. Now 48 years later I am still passionate about quilting.

I believe that our members are among some of the most amazing women I have been able to interact with and as VP of Membership I hope to ensure that you feel welcomed and respected as valued members of the Chapter.

 

VP Outreach - Theresa Roberts

Outreach@desertthreads.org

Hello - I typically introduce myself as “I’m an Iowa farm girl”. I began my sewing career in grade school purchasing a paperback book on “How to sew”. I started by making clothes, evolved onto sewing and alterations for clients and started quilting in the early 1980’s.  I finally got into serious quilting 30 years ago and purchased my “baby” (my husband’s words) a longarm quilting machine in 2016. 

I absolutely enjoy all aspects of quilting and after retirement I am blessed to ‘give back’ by making charity quilts, both at my quilt groups and my little church in Iowa. Desert Threads Community Service fulfills my quilting passion and the VP Outreach position is one more step in giving back. 

VP Technology - Jackie Fife
Technology@desertthreads.org

I joined Desert Threads in January of 2021, right when we were all house bound by Covid. My first meetings were via Zoom - which was how we got started having hybrid meetings.   Since then we have learned a lot about using technology to help us communicate.  With so many snow birds in our membership, it’s vital to continue using all the tools at hand to keep our community connected. As many of you know, my work background before retiring focused on technology.  The last twenty five years of my employment were spent as VP of Information Technology.  

I firmly believe that maintaining communication through our website and utilizing technology in our meetings is a significant benefit to our members, allowing us to remain connected throughout the year.  

Desert Threads isn’t the first quilt guild I’ve belonged to over my 20+ years of quilting, but it is the very best and the most fun!  I hope to continue serving this community and leverage my experience to keep us growing and sharing.