It seemed like a good project for her church’s Rebecca Circle, and the group has made about 100 dresses for African girls since then, in addition to shorts for boys.
“A woman in Michigan delivers the dresses twice a year, and we made and sent 70 dresses to her last winter,” said Alexander. “They go to various missions that have a need and make a request.
“We also make shorts for boys from cotton T-shirts; I was sent patterns. They’re simple and easy for the children to put on,” said Alexander.
On Aug. 12, a group of seven Rebecca Circle members gathered in the church basement to make more dresses. Some put together “kits” of pillowcases, pockets, trim and rick-rack, while others sewed or ironed the completed dresses.
“The women box up and bring in their sewing machines, cutting boards and scissors, and I purchased 12 pillowcases, binding and rick-rack with the circle’s funds to get started,” said Alexander.
“It’s addicting once you get started, especially because you know someone really needs them,” said Becky Gruber, who was busy adding rick-rack to a dress she’d completed.
“In addition to the pillowcase dresses for small girls, we also have simple patterns for girls sizes 10-through-12,” said Alexander.
Jerri Amos uses the patterns and has made 40 dresses at home but was also busy working at the church. “A friend of mine passed away and her family gave me all of her material. She was a quilter, and I still haven’t used it all.”
Erma Jean Hasenjager was doing the same job she did for the first batch. “I cut the pieces from the pattern and iron the finished dresses,” she said. She also helped prepare lunch for the group, which worked from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vickie Kingston was also cutting, making pockets and accessories, which were stacked neatly to be sewed. Louise Fabian was kept busy ironing and hanging the finished dresses. Donna Marsh had a doctor’s appointment and arrived late, but said, “I sew at home and here; today, I’ll be taking pockets home to finish.”
The group finished 15 dresses, and several of the women took a dozen home to complete.
“We had them on display for the church Sunday,” said Alexander. “The congregation is amazed at the cute little dresses we make, and it’s a fun project.”
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