Extending Kindness through Sewing

Showing kindness to another individual doesn't have to be financial all the time. There are simple gestures that make a huge difference. It might be meeting a need in the little way you can.

This was what I did for a friend days ago. I noticed she speaks so much about not having clothes to wear and the ones she manages are not with her where she is. She stays far away from her parents so she can be close to school and have the opportunity to work. I've been meaning to help but there was no window of opportunity to. Would have gotten her fabric and made her clothes but the price hike has not been helpful.

Thankfully, my friend came around with a particular dress and asked me to adjust it to her size for a fee to be paid later but I declined. It was the opportunity I've been waiting for.

The dress was a straight gown with bustier cut, way bigger and longer than her. I would have adjusted the dress the way she wanted it but it won't give a reasonable fit. So I convinced her to allow me dismantle it and create a simple gown for her from it.

I removed the top part that was not so good, measured the skirt part and found out it can create a complete dress.

I'd removed the skirt part before I took the picture - I had flat battery at the time.

You'd agree with me the top is not giving anything, right?

I then placed her measurements on the skirt part.

I cut out the front and the back bodice with the lining that was in the dress already.

I sewed the lining to the wrong side of each bodice along the neckline and the side only so I can conceal the fraying sides of the net.

I placed a notch along the curved neckline so it can balance after turning to the other side.

Next, I created the darts on the dress.
There was power outage at this time as well. I couldn't use my iron to make the crease for the dart. Here, my sewing pins came in handy.

I measured the area I wanted the darts and held it in place with pins so the lining and the original fabric will align.