Big Island shops celebrate quilting

The 9th annual Big Island Quilt Shop Hop returns Feb. 1 for a monthlong celebration of the craft.

Five shops from Kona to Hilo will be offering “passports” that traveling quilters can have stamped at each stop for a chance to win prizes and collect quilting patterns and kits to create the Shop Hop’s exclusive 2017 design, “Tropical Flowers of Hawaii, a Stain Glass Quilt.” Through Feb. 28, each shop will be offering a quilt block pattern to complete the event quilt.

Quilters can opt to pick up a map at any of the quilt shops for a self-guided tour or sign up for one of two bus tours being offered. The West Hawaii tour will take place Feb. 11, starting at the Quilt Passions shop in Kona at 7 a.m. The cost is $75 with advance registration by calling Karen Barry at the store, at 329-7475. The East Hawaii date will be set depending on interest. Call Leimomi at Kilauea Kreations II, 961-1100.

For more information email bigislandquiltsh@earthlink.net or visit facebook.com/BigIslandQuiltShopHopHawaii.

Participating shops are:

>> Topstitch: 65-1158 Mamalahoa Highway in the Waimea Center; 885-4482, facebook.com/TopstitchHawaii.

>> Fabric & Quilting Delights: 74-5599 Luhia St., Unit D-5, Kailua-Kona; 329-8177, FabricandQuiltingdelights.com.

>> Quilt Passions: 75-5626 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona; QuiltPassions.net.

>> Kilauea Kreations: 19-3972 Volcano Road, Volcano; 967-8090, KilaueaKreations.com.

>> Kilauea Kreations II: 680 Manono St., Hilo.

BELLA PROJECT OFFERS FREE PROM ATTIRE

The Bella Project returns Jan. 28 to the Central Union Church Parish Hall to provide free prom attire to low-income, special-needs or critically ill high school students.

High school girls can make an appointment online at bellaprojectspring2017.eventbrite.com.

Those with an appointment will get priority admission. Walk-ins will be taken from noon to 1 p.m. Students must show a valid high school ID.