Sunday, March 16, 2008

100 Skirt Project

I decided it was time to make some progress on my 100 Skirt Project. For those who might be new readers, I'm working on making 100 Skirts in size 3T to Misses Small. Each skirt will be unique and have some type of embellishment such as beading, applique, rickrack, etc. These will be paired with a simple matching tee to make a coordinating set. They will then be attractively packaged and wrapped with a tag that reads "The One Hundred Skirt Project, You are the Owner of Skirt # (whatever)". When these are done they will be sent to this orphanage in Guatemala. Original Posts about my 100 Skirt Project can be found here and here.

So today I cut out 5 skirts in a size 5 and started whipping them out assembly line style on my serger. Tomorrow I will insert the elastic into the casings and give each their respective embellishment. I'd like to knock out two more by Sunday evening and that will take me to 10% done! My goal is to have them shipped by the end of the year. I'll post pics when I get tomm's batch finished.

I have had some ladies express interest in contributing a skirt both here locally and online. If you're interested in participating, I'd be happy to include your contributions as well and share your pics here. Here are the guidelines.

1) Create a simple skirt in one of these sizes 3T, 5T, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, Misses Small. Add an embellishment of your choice (applique, trim, pocket, ruffle, piping, beading, whatever). In order to make fit as flexible as possible, please use a pattern with an elastic waist and an A-line shape.

2) Please be aware that the orphanage is in a small Guatemalan village. The dress for young girls there is much more conservative than typical American wear. You will want to make the skirt a couple inches longer than normal.

3) The girls do their laundry themselves and scrub on rough washboards. You will not want to use fragile fabrics and will need to make sure seams are finished in a way that can hold up.

4) Purchase a simple tee to match your skirt. If this is not possible, please just send on the skirt and I will purchase a tee.

5) Name your skirt. Have fun with this.

6) Contact me for a shipping address. It will be easiest and most economical if everything is shipped together, so if you ship it to me I will put everything together, add the "100 Skirt Project" tag with your skirt's name (and your name if desired) and ship everything in one big box.

My Mom and Dad have twice served at this orphanage for several months. This is one reason I chose this particular organization as my project. I'm familiar with the need there. Most of these girls have been badly abused. Many were entrapped in sexual exploitation and abuse. The need there is legitimate and all gifts received with much gratitude. Here is a picture of the girls.





Charity

4 comments:

Kat said...

That sounds like such a lovely idea! I'll have to look through my stash and check my schedule. This is a terribly busy time of year for me, but I'll see what I can do.

Kat said...

BTW, what is the general location of the orphanage? Is it the desert southwest or a different country. I was thinking Alaska LOL! But then I saw the roof of the building and that doesn't look like the type of construction you'd see way up north.

Unknown said...

It in Monjas, a small community outside Guatemala City in Guatemala (Central South America). You can follow the link in my post to read all about them. They are part of a larger organization called The James Project whose goal is to take care of widows and orphans.

Sharon Sews said...

I must have missed your original post on the 100 skirts....I love the idea and would like to contribute...can you email me with the details? sewingbysharon at gmail dot com?