In the last few weeks I’ve completed 5 dresses for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes I will make this year. I am getting into a rhythm; my fourth and fifth were completed in only one day!
When I first started thinking of making dresses, I made a Pinterest board with ideas. You can check that board out here.
I’m first digging into my fabric stash and using half yard pieces of fabric that I purchased for doll dresses, but are too large in scale for the little dolls. I can piece two 1/2 yard cuts together and make a dress. Then, I can use scraps to make the pocket, shoulder strap ties, and bias armhole binding.
As I write this I am inspired and thinking of Eva, the 101 year-old gorgeous lady who sews dresses for these shoeboxes; she makes 3!!! a day. I saw her video last year and her story has stuck with me all these months later. Would you believe almost 10 million people have watched her video! She must have inspired so many. Now that’s the way to do things! Way to go, Eva!
I’ve included a tutorial for the dresses I’m making under the tutorial tab at the top of this page.
On a different note, I want to show you this beautiful sunrise from a couple of weeks ago! The colors in the sky took my breath away.
Have a great week, my friends. If you make any dresses, I’d love to see them.
Cindy Rice Designs 
Cute dresses!
Thank you, Maranda. ❤
What a wonderful way to use cloth with patterns too large for dolls!
Although I have done Christmas Boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, I had not heard of this dear and loving woman still singing and working out her talent in His service at 101!! She inspires me!
Thanks so much for sharing her story…. and for your Pintrest site with the various pins. You do more than make lovely doll clothes for very special dolls. 🙂
Thank you, Margaret. What a lovely thing to say! Isn’t Eva an amazing woman, and at 101 she does all this! She has inspired me so much. I’m glad she has inspired you, too. ❤
I’ve got my boxes started and thought dresses would be fun, too. Love your mix and match prints!
That sounds great, Rachel. I should get the actual boxes started early this year, too. Thank you! ❤
Every dress is so special. Love your color combinations. And the pocket is such a plus. Personal favorite is the purple with the pocket heart. Adorable.
The colors in your sunrise photo are spectacular. Looks like the tree is already leafing out. Here comes warm weather! Raining here today. But, we’re happy to receive it.
Hi, Joy. Thank you. It truly is a different feeling making something that a real girl will wear versus a doll. I think it may be more rewarding. It’s still quite cold here, it’ll be awhile before the trees start showing leaves. Those are the magnolia buds that are there throughout the winter. Tried forcing a couple of branches but the buds dried out. 😦 It sounds like it will be summery by you very soon, and yay for the rain.
I saw the OCC video and was also inspired to make dresses this year for our shoeboxes. You are ahead of me! Thank you for sharing your experience in sewing these darling dresses. Another doll seamstress I know has shared the following charity information with me, which I thought you might find of interest http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/ Another sewing opportunity – https://www.daysforgirls.org/dfg-our-approach
Hi, Laurie. I’m glad the video inspired you, too. Those two other charities look great too, thanks for sharing. Happy dress sewing!