Dresses

There are some dresses that always stick in the mind, bringing back vivid memories and strong emotions. Not always those associated with set-piece events such as weddings, but those worn on more everyday occasions. For me these are: a grey and white check, round necked,long sleeved with a red velvet ribbon trim when I was 5; a dirndl skirted cotton number with a large collar, a hand me down from friends of a family friend with America relatives when I was 8; a hand-made, cream, flouncy number for a school dance in my teens; a hand-made, couture effort, Jasper Conran look-a-like in fuchsia pink, lots of darts, large shoulders and brass buttons in my 30s.

Perhaps these memories are why I was stirred to action by this charity sewing project " Dress a Girl Around the World". I avoid many charity sewing projects as they are too dominated by individuals with strong religious views. ( It is perfectly possible to be charitable without this having any religious or dubious spiritual trappings). The UK project is organised by Louise from Sew Scrumptious. I was due to be at a trapunto workshop today, but as it was cancelled due to the tutor being ill, so I got down to finishing these, started at the Bank Holiday weekend.

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Very therapeutic, and used up fabric I have had forever. It was lovely adding pockets and trim - as a mother of boys, this has been lacking in my clothes' sewing life. These will be in their way to Louise on Monday.