Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Made with love and hope

I finally completed a dress for the Project HOPE Art dress drive, a sewing initiative aimed providing girls living in an orphanage in Haiti with handmade dresses.

As suggested, I used the Oliver + S Popover sundress pattern. The pattern was simple to follow, making it accessible for even the beginner seamstress. And perfect for this project. The tie-straps make the dress adjustable, suitable for a growing girl.


When I first came across the Project HOPE Art dress drive, I was really moved.  I loved the idea of providing girls with new, culturally appropriate clothes.


But I had no idea how much joy it would bring me to sew a dress for a little girl I didn't know.

As I was cutting the fabric, pinning the pieces and sewing the seams, I imagined a little girl running around in the sun wearing the dress. The image warmed my heart. So much so, I felt compelled to glue a little heart in the inside of the dress. I hope who ever wears it, knows it was made with love.


This experience has made me realize why so many people (myself included) would rather donate something they've made than donate money.

When you make something, like a dress, you are holding something that you know the receiver will also hold. Making an article of clothing connects you, almost physically, to the person who will be wearing it. For me, and I think a lot of people, this sense of connection is powerful and meaningful.

1 comment:

k8kre8s said...

such adorable fabric steph! i would love to receive a dress like this, so i'm sure some little sweetheart will too.