Giving the Best of Ourselves

A couple of years ago, a large group of women in Oregon got together on a Saturday to make little dresses to donate for girls in Africa.  The initial idea was to turn embellished pillowcases (or yardage, stitched into tubes,) into simple sundresses that tie at the shoulders.  An online search of Little Dresses yields abundant references to similar generous and creative service projects across the nation.

My mother heard about the project and, from the outset, was concerned that the proposed dresses were sleeveless, and Christian women who care about modesty do not dress their daughters that way.  Mom made up a sample, then found a T-shirt to put under it to avoid even the suggestion to her own young daughter that this immodest creation might be an acceptable style.  I notice that, in the photos from Africa (whether from desires for modesty or from concern about the hazards of the sun), almost all of the little girls are pictured wearing the donated sleeveless dresses with T-shirts underneath!  Wouldn't it be more comfortable for these girls if the dresses we create already have sleeves?

Mom made the point that, if the project is practice for sewing, we could practice better by making something in harmony with our Christian standards and simultaneously build a skill that has practical use in our own lives.  To the degree that what we share is consistent with our high personal standards, we are more effective in sharing those standards and in increasing the standard of life among others.  I suspect the online photos are a reflection of the standards of the girls in Africa; if so, these girls have learned to value modesty and self-respect more than we do.  We can become more effective and generous givers as we meet their real needs of the whole person we wish to serve -- in this case, their needs for modesty, beauty, and self-respect.

Mom experimented a bit and discovered some ways that the project could be modified to incorporate including sleeves in the Little Dresses.  An inexpensive pattern (Simplicity C2019), widely available from Walmart and simple to construct, was adapted to make the proposed pillowcase sundresses into raglan-sleeved dresses with short, puffed sleeves (McCalls CHJ is very similar). While it requires a bit of extra fabric (for the sleeves) and a little elastic, it is easier to wear (no untied shoulders and no need for an extra, hotter layer) and has more practical application in teaching women and girls the basics of clothing construction.  The pattern is for a tiered dress, but this is not necessary for the project; the important element is really the underarm cut-out shape (different in front and back) and the sleeve pattern.

The day of the project, there was wonderful energy!  The women made hundreds of little dresses -- with sleeves -- to donate to ministries in Africa.  The outcome proved to be satisfactory, as well as satisfying.

With Mother's Day coming tomorrow, I have been thinking about the potential of a mother's influence for good.  She has not traveled much, but Mom's willingness to develop and share her talents has blessed the lives of each of her children and has helped us to willingly learn, teach, and give -- wherever we have gone.  Her willingness to suggest a change of focus and to give better has helped the women in her area develop talents and share a better way with girls across oceans.

A woman, giving the best of herself, can change the world for good.

Thanks, Mom.


(Online images from owensofyorktown.blogspot.com, villageprojectafrica.org, walmart.com, and stayclassy.org)