Crafting Circle

The Crafting Circle is at the Lucile H. Bluford Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Tuesday, October 13, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. It's a simple enough premise: you bring in old clothes or cloth toys that have seen better days and spend the afternoon patching the wear and tear. If you don't have anything to mend, you can pick from the library's own selection of fabrics and threads and make something entirely new. The library provides the supplies, so you just need to show up.

It's part of the branch's monthly Community Health Fair, which brings free health services, resources, and program referrals from local health organizations to the neighborhood. The Crafting Circle is one of the activities running alongside those services, so you can spend some time sewing and then check out the other health resources while you're there.

The venue itself is worth a mention if you haven't spent much time there. The Lucile H. Bluford Branch is named for one of Kansas City's most accomplished figures—a Lincoln High School and University of Kansas alumna who spent her career at The Kansas City Call, using her journalism to champion civil rights and support the city's African American community. The branch, located on the east side, houses a strong collection of African American literature and was updated with a $1.9 million renovation in 2009. In January 2023, the library bought more property nearby with a view to expanding the 15,000-square-foot facility.

So, if you've got a favorite shirt with a hole in the shoulder or a child's toy that's coming apart at the seams, this is a good time to get it fixed. The Crafting Circle runs from 3:30 to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 13, at the Lucile H. Bluford Branch, 3050 Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64128.