Contributed article 5:58 a.m.
Friday, February 7, 2020 5:58 am

From left, Adelle Robinson and Kerry Norton of Hope on Haven Hill accept a donation from Joanne Piazzi, owner of Stitches Alterations & Needleworks at her shop on Thursday. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Since opening Stitches Alterations & Needleworks in downtown Rochester in early October, Joanne Piazzi has been selling the remnants of other people's creative projects.

In a corner of her shop on North Main St. is "Remnants: The Creativity Thrift Shop." This corner is packed with fabric, yarn, lace, zippers, threads, patterns, velcro... bascically anything that might be used in a sewing or craft project. They are all being sold at thrift-shop prices, so that they can be used by others who need them to complete their own projects. On the wall is the shop's motto: Create. Donate. Recreate.

But it's about more than putting the materials to good use; it's about helping to re-create lives.

"Women need to support each other," Piazzi says. "When women donate their unwanted supplies, other women who can put them to good use can get them inexpensively, and the money then goes to support other women."

The proceeds from this creative thrift shop are being donated, on a quarterly basis, to local organizations that assist others, especially women. The money raised from the first three months in business were recently given to Hope on Haven Hill, a residential recovery facility for pregnant women and new mothers. Women at HHH receive intensive education and addiction recovery services for up to a year after their babies are born.

The check for $75 was presented to Executive Director Kerry Norton at the Stitches shop.

"Hope on Haven Hill is so thankful for the amazing support of businesses like Stitches Alterations & Needleworks, that bring the community together to support moms and babies in such a tangible way," Norton said.

The next donation will be given in April to the Homeless Center for Strafford County. Crafters and sewists are welcome to shop whenever Stitches is open. "Remnants" is not currently accepting donated materials, but welcomes used sewing machines for use in upcoming sewing classes. For more information, contact owner Joanne Piazzi at stitchesneedleworks@yahoo.com.