It's a New Year!

Happy New Year!

Christmas & New Years are behind us and I am looking forward to all 2012 will hold for Dress a Girl Connecticut!  What a wonderful year 2011 was for us and I just know God has great things in store for us this year!

I am looking forward to a busy year in sharing what Dress a Girl Around the World is doing and how people in Connecticut and nearby can help with Dress a Girl Connecticut in blessing girls with their own pretty dress!

I am starting to plan events for the year as well.  If you'd like to plan one of your own, I am happy to help!  Just contact me at dressagirlct@gmail.com for more information!

I am always looking for people who are traveling to countries where there is a need for these dresses.  Maybe someone from your church is going on a missions trip?  We can provide you with as many dresses as you can carry with you!  All we ask for is that you take photos of the girls receiving or wearing the dresses so that it can be shared with those that sew.  It is "SEW" inspiring for us all!  It brings us great joy to see the smiles on the faces of little girls whose self esteem has been raised and spirits lifted to simply receive a pretty new handmade dress of their own.

If you would like to help but don't know how to sew, there are many other ways you can help.  We always need donations of supplies.

Here is a list of items we need constantly:

• Double bias tape:  We use 1/2" width double bias tape.  Each dress requires 2 pieces of 1 yard each for the straps.  This gets very expensive to buy and I always welcome donations!  We love colorful double bias tape!

• Elastic:  We use 3/8" braided elastic in the front and back of the dresses.  Each dress requires two 7" pieces.  We can use white or black elastic.

• Pillowcases:  New or used but in good condition.  Standard, Queen and King sizes.  Any colors and patterns.  We prefer not to use white as it can be see through and we want the girls to feel secure and safe in them.  However, these can be dyed or tie-dyed!

• Fabric in large pieces:  Lightweight cotton and cotton blends of fabrics in any color or pattern so long as it isn't see through.  Keep in mind that most of these dresses end up in very warm weather places so heavy fabrics or materials that aren't appropriate for these conditions aren't the best choices.

Of course, monetary donations are always welcome as I am often buying supplies in stores and in bulk on the internet.  A roll of bulk elastic costs me $25 and will make about 370 dresses!  A bulk of double bias tape costs me $50 and this will make about 70 dresses!  Please see the link to donate at the top of this blog-(a yellow button) through my Paypal account.  100% of your donation will be used for Dress a Girl Connecticut supplies for dresses!

Perhaps you'd like to come to a Sew-a-Long and learn how to cut, sew (It's really easy),  pin, or iron.  Let me know and I will do my best to include you in an event!

A girl in Uganda was just told she'd be receiving her first new dress!  Look at that smile!

Think about the smiles on the girls faces, as above, when they learn they are about to receive a gift of a brand new dress-handmade with love!  No more rags-just a pretty new dress!  Awesome!

Thanks for listening!  Hope to see you at an event this year or perhaps hear how you'd like to help us bless little girls!

May your 2012 be a very blessed one as well!