In preparation for the project, I went to my local fabric store, looking for an easy pattern to sew. Given the short time frame that we had to complete and ship the items before the deadline, I needed a pattern with simple lines that I could whip up, with no zippers or buttons. After going through the pattern catalog, I settled on two different patterns because I didn’t find anything that really fit what I was looking for. I reluctantly made my way to the checkout counter but when I saw that the line was wrapped around the magazine rack I decided to leave the patterns and return the next day.
I’m so glad that I followed my heart and went home because later that night I went onto the private facebook group page and saw a post from another sew sister who made a t-shirt dress. That’s all I needed to see! I told her that I would do the same thing because I knew I could crank out a bunch of them before the deadline. She said she chose the t-shirt dress for that same reason.
The next day I headed out to the store with excitement in my step. The first stop was our local t-shirt store where the shirts are 3 For $10. I purchased nine shirts (3 small, 3 medium, 3 large). Now the OCD side of me wanted to purchase one more shirt just to make it an even number, but I convinced myself to resist and walk out. Then I went to JoAnn Fabrics and the BIG fun began! Oh, oh, oh, matching girly prints with the shirts just made me so happy. I kept thinking about the smiles that will come upon the faces of the children who receive the clothing that all the seamstresses are sewing. How did I get so lucky to do this?
I am so grateful for the opportunity that Shundra presented for us to use our talents, our gifts from God, to bless others. It was really a heart warming project to work on. As I watched my sew sisters post the items that they were completing I felt so GRATEFUL! Grateful to be teamed up with such amazing people. Grateful to see others giving their time and treasure for the benefit of others. Grateful that lots of little girls will soon be smiling in their new dresses. I could barely contain my excitement while sewing. Each time I finished a dress, I sent a picture to my husband at work. I couldn’t help myself because it was so much FUN!
Reading Shundra’s story on her blog about why she chose to launch this project put a huge smile on my heart. Thank you, Shundra, for your giving heart, and for inviting the rest of us to join you in spreading love to the children in Haiti.
Now listen! There’s still time to sew an item for a child in Haiti. Shundra needs all items to her by November 25th. That gives you nine days (from this post date 11/16) to sew an item and mail it to her. Check out her blog (linked above) for details. You will be so happy you joined this awesome initiative to sew for Haiti. Enjoy!
Enough of me talking! Here are the finished looks.
(All Photos Courtesy of Anita Morris)
I think it would be fun to find out which are your favorites? I love them all, but I do have a favorite. Let me know, below in the comments, which one you like best.
Also, make sure you check back next week for a step-by-step tutorial on this t-shirt dress. To make sure you don’t miss it, or any other future updates, I invite you to subscribe to my blog by entering your email address and clicking the subscribe button below or in the side bar to the right.
Thank you for stopping by.
Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!
Anita
My favorite dress is the green T-shirt, with plaid bottom. All are tastefully done. BTW you are an awesome seamstress and model of your creations. God Bless❣️
I love your style and your exquisite taste. You are a beautiful Godly woman. Thank you for being an excellent instructor. You are worth following. God Bless❣️
They are all Beautiful!!!! Found your blog when I googled pillowcase dresses for Haiti. I am making dresses for Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes. At the Fabric department a lady who homeschooled with my pastor wife told me about them, they are easy. I was given a pattern to see to bottom of tshirt, I was disappointed with the outcome. I like how you have more skirt part less tshirt. I just don’t know how much to cut off tshirt. Blessings ?
Hi,
I sewed pillow case dresses for girls in Africa. Now I need something else to.i am doing shorts for the boys. Am I allowed to sew a different dress instead the pillow case?
I am so inspired by your work and I will definitely try this. Thanks a lot for sharing the wonderful article.
I have made pillowcase dresses but love this t-shirt dress design so much more since covered-shoulder dresses are preferred. I’m not certain how far down to cut the t-shirt; I’m planning to make some to send with a mission team that has requested dresses. Thanks!
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This is so wonderful. I sew pillowcase dresses for a group. We send to orphanages with mission groups. I never used a pillowcase because I had too much fabric already. I have wanted to do some T-shirt dresses as sometimes the little girls have to have shoulders covered. Found your utube and I am so happy. It was a God thing (if you know what I mean). Keep up the good work. Blessings to you and the others who sew for the cause. It makes the girls feel like they are special to get new dresses. Just like it does for us big girls. Favorite loved them all even the white skirt one and I am not big on white.
Thank you so much, Amy! I love what you do! Yes,I agree that girls of all ages are happy to get new dresses. So glad you found the youtube tutorial. Yes, a God thing for sure.
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Hi Anita.
All of the dresses are just too adorable. You do such beautiful work.
It’s a tie for me as far as my favorites between the flowered dress with the purple t-shirt top and the plaid pink, blue and green dress with the green t-shirt top.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a blessed day.
Thanks Sherry!
All the dresses are pretty. My favorite is the orange top with the butterflies. I love everything that you make and am blessed to have found your blog.
Is there anyway you could post the tutorial earlier than next week so those of us that want to do the same can submit before the deadline??
Awww man, Tasha! I don’t have it done yet! It’s in production. Shundra posted a tutorial in the fb group though, and there are others on YouTube and Pinterest. I wish I had decided to do a tutorial earlier.
What a great project, Anita! May God bless the work of your hands. I wish I could participate but time is not on my side this year. Hopefully next year I can. I love all the dresses! But my favorite is the bright yellow top with green skirt and yellow chicks or ducks. I also like the blue top, white skirt…classic.
Yaaaay! The Rubber Duck dress is my favorite too!
Hello Anita, you all are doing marvelous job. Keep up the good work– God is with you all — May you all sew sisters be under His mercy and good graces. Am awaiting for the tutorials and will be ready next time when Shoundra does the project again. Please keep me informed too.
Thank you, Dilshad! Will do!
Anita,
I can’t wait. I’ve been wanting a simple dress to make up a few for Christmas Shoeboxes next year.
Beautiful dresses and such a great project to sew for..so very inspiring
Beautiful!!
Well although I cannot sew myself , I am so very inspired by your God given talent keep on keeping on girl you are amazing
Thank you Anita for your post! I will be going to get supplies for 10 dresses since time is clearly not on my side and my whole family will participate and this is how; We truly have to teach them to give back. So my husband will be taking me to pick up all the supplies for 10 dresses. My daughter’s will help to cut fabric and whatever else I need and my son will ship them. There you have it, whole family participation. I’m so excited to be making these t-shirt dresses and to be apart of this wonderful initiative.
DeeDee from BWHAT!
Bust Waist Hips and Thights!
Ooooooh, Deedee!!! That is just AWESOME!!! I LOVE it! Making it a family service project. What a great idea! This is gonna be so much fun for you all. Have a blast!
God gets all the Glory! He has truly blessed and been good to me throughout my 47 years and not just me but my entire family so this is the least I/we could do. Me and my two girls had a wonderful time in Wal-Mart until the indecisiveness kicked in with so many options that it drove them crazy! ?I’ll be posting pictures once I’m done.!
They are all cute but my favorite is the orange one with the butterflies. So lively!
Bless you for all you do for those in need!
Love all the dresses, but my favorite is the orange one with the butterflies. Great work you ladies are doing.
This project is God’s work and I would so very much like to be a part of it. Unfortunately, I work and would never be able to participate this year. Will it be done again next year? If so, count me in. I can sew some dresses throughout the year and be able to contribute to this most dedicated endeavor. Thank you so much and God bless this wonderful work.
Hi Marilyn! Yes, God’s work indeed! Shundra did say she would do it again. I don’t know when but I will join again too. I’ll be sure to mention it here on my blog as soon as she launches the next one. Sewing throughout the year, to prepare for your contribution is such a lovely idea. Hmmm… I think I will have to follow your lead. I really LOVE the wisdom in that. Thank you so much for your feedback.
These are sew cute, and I can do that to give back. Thanks for sharing.
I already did my dresses for Haiti and I am going to do 6 to 8 more before Monday to send her, great cause sew excited to see the response her goal is 100 and she has 69 dress as of yesterday.
WooHoo! Get it, Tiffany! I love it! Thank you so much for the update. I had not heard the total collected so far. I’m pretty sure she’ll meet her goal.
Anita,
I love them all but my favorite is pink shirt with gingham/checker stripes… I really love that one. I am not a pink person, but this one just flows well. I cannot wait for the step by step instructions next week. Have a blessed day!
Thank you for commenting, Rochelle! They’re so easy to make. You’ll just love it.