The latest fruits of our labor

We have been busy filling the space opened up by several recent shipments to our clients.  Seeing the results of our labor is certainly the reward for all the hours we work!

As you may be aware, we process the transformation from donated dress to Angel item in a specific way:

A donated dress is deconstructed and cut into blanks (basic pattern pieces) and marked with the donator's name, if provided.  When possible, the placement of existing embellishments on the dress are considered when cutting the patterns.  The blanks are then packaged and stored until the sewing starts.

From dress donated by Leslie Eurton

When ready to sew, a few blanks are pulled from several different batches to be embellished and completed, still with the donator's names attached.  We are generally able to complete Angel items entirely from the same dress, as shown above, or from multiple dresses donated by the same person, and we identify them as such in our photos.

Lavender gown from dress donated by Sherri Theim

However, we sometimes receive dresses that are amazing in their simplicity but do not include embellishments sufficient for completion of the Angel items cut from the dress.  Our process allows each donated dress to be used to its best advantage as the blanks from one dress containing little or no embellishment can be combined with embellishments from a dress that had some to share or with trims that were purchased or donated as yardage.

from dress donated by Kathy Slorah

In this manner, we are able to maintain a variety of styles, embellishments, and colors to send to our clients in respectful anticipation of meeting the emotional needs of grieving parents.

We feel this process also allows us to do the very best for the Angels and for our seamstresses, allowing them to better incorporate a bit of their own creativity in their work.

Our decision to include color in our Angel items has been met with positive reactions and we will continue to incorporate pastels into some of our gowns and stronger colors for trim and vests on the boy gowns.

As a point of reference, we estimate that it took over 30 working hours to do just the seven outfits in the photo below.

I am thrilled to announce that a total of 35 sets were completed this month!!  

We are always in need of a person or group to sponsor the shipping costs as we get ready to mail the Angel items to our clients.

We also continue to look for additional clients (hospitals, birthing centers, and mortuaries) to supply with our Angel items.  Referrals are appreciated so if you know of a hospital or mortuary that could use our services, please let us know!

We are still unable open up to donations as our storage area is full and spilling over.  We continue to receive dresses from those who had previously recorded our shipping information so we have not been able to reduce our storage of dresses as quickly as we had anticipated.  We thank each and every one of you for your patience and for supporting us in our journey...  for the Angels.