Welcome to Cleta’s Stay and Sew, a nonprofit organization rooted in community, creativity, and culture. Located in Southwest Rockford, Illinois, our mission is to preserve African American culture through sewing, quilting, and the fabric arts while creating a safe and inspiring space for youth and families to learn, create, and grow.

We believe sewing is more than a skill. It is storytelling, self expression, problem solving, entrepreneurship, and tradition passed from one generation to the next.

Through free community sewing classes, mentorship, workshops, and creative programs, we introduce young people ages 5 to 17 to the world of fabric arts while building confidence, patience, discipline, and creativity. From first stitches to custom quilts, every project represents a piece of history and a step toward the future.

At Cleta’s Stay and Sew, we are committed to:

• Preserving cultural traditions through quilting and sewing

• Providing free and affordable educational opportunities

• Creating safe creative spaces for youth

• Encouraging entrepreneurship and life skills

• Building stronger community connections through art

Whether you are a parent, volunteer, donor, student, or supporter, you are now part of our sewing family.

Together, we are stitching legacy into every thread.