Pillowcaase Dresses for Girls
 

I have discovered a great way to provide assistance to girls in third world countries by making dresses from pillowcases. My sorority and my church group are partnering to make dresses to send to Haiti. It is so rewarding and so much fun to do. I'm going to try to upload a few pictures of some of the dresses. Hopefully they will upload!Well, only one picture loaded - don't know why the others didn't. But the instructions are so simple. Will post them for anyone interested.

That's adorable! Are you doing this thru Little Dresses For Africa?

Very cute dress!!! :thumbup:

That is so pretty, but I often wonder- what happens to the local people who are trying to make a living selling clothing, if people send free clothing to these communities- might we be depriving someone of a livelihood?

yes, i wonder too, if there aren't little girls in our country who would like a pretty dress !!!

Love your dress! Little Dresses for Africa and Dress a Girl Around the world are two charitable organizations that distribute pillowcase dresses anywhere they are needed- including the US. I've made many donated through my sisters' church to LDFA, and made the pillowcase of quilting cotton to transform into the dress. Just be careful the fabric isn't too sheer. The pattern is so simple I've used it to teach women to sew. I make a slightly modified version of the free dress pattern in Nancy's Notions.com- Creative Kindness. I use a wider casing at the top for the elastic and 3/8" elastic, set the casing about 1/4" down from the top to make a ruffle when gathered, and added pockets. The armhole is cut 1/2" lower to adjust for the changes. Lengthening the armhole binding to 20" or more will give a prettier bow when tied. Keep sewing those pretty dresses!

I asked about hurting their economy by donating the dresses, and the response was that the people in this situation have to make a choice, clothes or food. Food has to be the choice so that is where the money goes. No more money left after buying food equals people who do not have clothes.

Yes, I am.

There is no danger of that happening - we are talking about third world countries - no one has the money to purchase anything - let alone material, thread, etc.

I've definitely made adjustments for that reason. I also use material from the pillowcase before cutting in the armholes to make the armhole facing and ties. It looks more finished and it not as expensive as purchasing the bias tape and/or ribbons. I also use a wider casing for the elastic.