Saturday, August 5, 2023

Fabric to Dresses to Diapers, Oh My!

It has been such a joy for me to sew for missions when I have the opportunity. It's been more than a few years ago now that I sent a box of dresses to our missionary friends in South Africa. After those dresses were sent, a friend from church had some fabric and wanted to know if it might be good for dresses. It was indeed and I used it to make some very pretty dresses. However, with Covid and all it brought, there has been no way to get dresses to South Africa. So, I made those and had to set them aside thinking.... 'one day'. 

Well, 'one day' must have arrived because a couple of months ago I had a message from a local friend who was cleaning out a room in their church and found some fabric. She asked if I was interested in looking through them. Sure! Who knows what treasures there might be! It was a treasure alright.....three big boxes full! I was a bit overwhelmed and asked a sewing friend of mine to go through them with me and decide what was good for dresses and how others might be used. 

So I got to work figuring it must be time to send dresses again! Trusting God will work out the when and how to get them to South Africa where they are needed, I cut, made pockets, matched colors and sewed and trimmed with many fun fabrics, colors and prints. I am REALLY glad that God provided so many different fabrics to work with!!! Making so many dresses with the same fabric would be soooo NOT fun! But, as God provided, I enjoyed matching colors and prints of many different kinds such that very rarely are two dresses exactly alike. Since all of these dresses are going to the same community, it's nice that each girl will receive one that is unique, just as she is. I enjoy remembering as I sew that God already knows who will be wearing each individual dress that I'm working on and I can pray for that little girl.

Matching pockets to dresses.

Some finished dresses.

My sewing room exploding in color!

These colorful straps will be tied in bows over the shoulders of the girls who
God already knows will wear them.

My machine and I have been getting a good workout!

78 dresses are made and ready to go along with the diapers mentioned in a previous post. Please pray with me as we look for how God will provide to get them where they need to be. I have several leads I am following up on. It's exciting to see how God has brought numerous possibilities to mind that might work. It's a puzzle sometimes! Right now I'm working on a path of NC to PA to Germany to South Africa!!!! 

So, if you know of anyone flying to South Africa, I have an extra suitcase to send with them full of blessings God has for some little girls there!

Thank you for your part in allowing me to use the gifts God has given to me to serve others!

As for Keith.........

"You knew I was a material girl when you married me.😄"

 

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those finished dresses!! Sooo cute. Some little girls will be wonderfully blessed by your talent ✨️

Karen said...

❤️ I trust God will use them to show His love and to bring joy. ☺️

Anonymous said...

The dresses are so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Such fun fabric to work with!

Karen said...

Thank you! God provided such fun fabrics to work with ☺️

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful, Karen. I will pray that the dresses make it to South Africa and for each precious girl who receives one. Jackie Balderston

Nancy Steckel said...

Karen,I love how you combined the fabrics to make each dress unique. You have a God given talent and you are putting it to good use. May God continue to bless your ministry.

Anonymous said...

Awesome job and such a blessing!

Karen said...

Thank you Jackie! ❤️

Karen said...

God is good! And may you continue to know God's peace and comfort! 🙏

Karen said...

❤️🙌

Anonymous said...

Outstanding! God will provide as to how to get them to where they are to be! Let us know!

Anonymous said...

This is exciting! Praying God will provide a way.

PVG said...

Bravo! Well done Karen!

brother Dave said...

Nice work, Karen! Quite impressive and so worthwhile.

Karen said...

It is! Possible transportation is already coming to light! 🙌

Karen said...

Ah, thank you! 😊

Carol said...

You are amazing and will bless so many with these beautiful dresses!! Thanks for using your talents in this way!! Miss you my friend!!

Karen said...

If we were closer it would be fun to work on these together!!❤️

April & Dave Shrom said...

What a wonderful gift to some special little girls!
You are using your talents and time and God is smiling!
XO

Karen said...

XO and thanks! ❤️

Pat Bartow said...

Karen, those dresses are works of art! You are going to bless some African girls beyond measure. May God bless you for your generosity!! Prayers for the girls who will receive the dresses, that they will be impressed with your love for them. Mom B.

Anonymous said...

This is the first that I learned of your ministry to these little girls. What a wonderful blessing you are to them. Will add you and these little ones to my prayer list. God Bless you!!

Karen said...

One of my prayers is that they will feel wrapped in God's love and care for them as they were their dresses! ❤️

Doc Taylor said...

Karen, I love the dresses and sewing. Is there a w;ay I can get involved. We live in Idaho now and winters keep you in more. I have some time on my hands and love to keep busy.
If I start looking for fabric on marketplace, is there a pattern to use.
Love you both and love what all you do. God bless you all.

Doc Taylor said...

Karen, I love what you are doing with these dresses. I live in Idaho now and have longer winters and love to stay busy. Is there a pattern you use for these dresses. I would enjoy having the sewing projects that can be a blessing to others. May God bless you in all you do.

Karen said...

Absolutely! I started out on a website called Dressagirlaroundtheworld.com where they have different patterns. I think you'd enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

God has blessed you with so many talents. Your love of others comes through item you make.

Karen said...

❤️🙌

Anonymous said...

These dresses are unique and wonderful, Karen! Yes, you are so talented and generous. God bless you and all the girls who will benefit from your talent and the love you have poured into your creations!
Kathleen

Karen said...

❤️