Pillow Case Clothing

Today was a fabulous day at Smile Africa. My sister, Joan and I arrived with a loaded suitcase of pillowcases and supplies donated by the women of Grace and Community Church of Joy. I showed the women in the Smile Africa tailoring class how to make a dress out of a pillowcase. They gathered around and watched my every move as I sewed on a treadle sewing machine. I remembered teaching myself to sew on a treadle when I was eight or nine years old. Little did I know I would use those skills all these years later.

Joan dumped a bunch of pillowcases onto the table and we told each lady to choose one and they could do whatever they chose to do with it—make a dress for their daughter. . . or create something else. It was fascinating to see them create with no pattern. Some chose to make the pillowcase dress while others decided to make skirts for themselves. Another designed a little skirt and top for her daughter. There was much laughter and fun as we all worked together and delighted in one another’s creations.

The rest of the pillowcases will be made into dresses for the Karamojong girls to wear Easter Sunday.

My friends Mae and Audrey sent cloth place mats and a sample handbag to make. So we included that project too.

The women showed me some of the crafts they have been working on. I bought 10 pair of slippers and three patchwork (with African fabric) bags to take home. Joan and I left our floppy hats for them to copy and we are hoping next time we come to Uganda they will have made floppy hats with African fabric.

Thank you so much to all who contributed. What joy you have given! I can’t wait for Pastor Ruth to send me the Easter pictures!

We are continuing to collect pillowcases, elastic and double fold bias tape. Some of you are actually making dresses for us to take. God bless you!