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.

Behind the scenes

Did you ever wonder what happens to your dresses, fabrics, or embellishments once they cross our doorstep?

Its a long labor of love just the get to the point that we can start creating an AngelGown.  The journey can take hours, weeks, or possibly months, depending on need, difficulty,  
workflow, and other details.


<<<<<<<   How do we get from this
         to this      >>>>>>>>>>>>


Its not a quick journey but it is a loving journey.   The total process for ONE AngelGown/Cap can take as long as 4-5 hours.

First, we photograph the dress to log onto our blog.  We include the donator's name and any tribute the donator desires.  If instructed, we identify the dress as anonymously donated.  Donators enjoy seeing their dresses given such a precious new life.

Then, we make up and print a page of the donator's name, in multiples, on it, cut them up, and place them in a small ziplock bag.  We attach the bag, along with any other information provided by the donator, to the dress with a brass safety pin.  The brass pins reduce the chance of rusting.  The multiple name label tags will be used to identify the AngelGowns or other items made from this particular dress.

The next step, which may happen much later, depending on our work flow at the time, is to begin to deconstruct the dress.   The process may take anywhere from 3 hours to 6 hours.   We remove all eyes/hooks, snaps, buttons, boning, and zippers.  The buttons are used on the vests as embellishment.  The eyes/hooks, snaps, boning, and zippers are sold (with funds to AngelGowns) or traded to dressmakers for their usable leftover fabrics and trims.

Depending on the construction of the dress, we carefully remove the underskirt, sleeves, skirt, and train from the bodice.  Often, trim and beading must be removed to enable us to separate the items.  Each of the pieces is labeled with the donator's name tag and kept with the other pieces.

When appropriate, additional embellishments are removed from the bodice, sleeves, or other areas of the dress.  When possible, we leave the embellishments on the dress and use them in their original location as part of the embellishments on the Angel items.

With the dress completely deconstructed, we begin cutting the Angel items from the fabric.  We cut the AngelGowns first, then Caps and Wraps, working our way from largest items to smallest items and we utilize the placement of existing embellishments when possible.  At this point, a donator's label is attached to a "set", which includes all pieces for an Angel item. 

If there are no embellishments on the Angel item pieces, we refer to it the set as a "blank", meaning that any type of embellishment can be added.  We then take embellishments or beading that was removed from the donated dress, or embellishments removed from another dress and as yet unused, and add it to the Angel item.  We can also add a vest to an AngelGown for an Angel boy.  Seamstresses are Karen, Limbania, and myself.

At last, the embellished pieces are sewn together by machine, beribboned, and pressed. 

If needed, any hand-sewing is completed by the seamstress or by a separate volunteer, Ginger.

During the entire process, the donator's label tag remains attached to the donated dress components until it is completely used up, and is attached to the Angel items that are created from the donated dress.  

The blankets are crocheted in states far away by young and old hands, generous loving hands, and shipped to us.

Finally, the completed Angel set (gown, cap, and blanket) is photographed and logged onto the blog, the donator's label is removed, our identifying AngelGownsbyjacki card is attached, and the Angel set is readied for shipment.

AngelGown items are certainly a symbol of love...  from the donation of a dress worn the day the donator's life changed, to the hours of deconstruction, the care given to the embellishment and assembly of the Angel item, to the donations of cash that pay for the shipment to birthing centers and mortuaries.   Truly, so many people showing so much love for the tiniest of Angels.

Please know that the packaging & shipping expenses for 20 garments is about $50.

The supplies and shipping fee for each Angel Blanket is about $8.
 
The supplies needed to create and package each of our garments is about $8.  Supplies include thread, ribbon, cutting and sewing implements, and miscellaneous items.  Packaging includes tissue paper and a white presentation box.  
 
When needed, to overnight ship a garment to a family is approximately $50. 
 
Shipping a garment to a family with two day delivery is approximately $20.

 
Please note:
Smaller embellishments that are removed from a dress may not retain its donator's label due to practicality.  Some dresses are heavily embellished, or heavily beaded, or may have a lace overlay, but we may be limited in the amount we can include on an Angel item due to their tiny size.  However, all items are eventually used on Angel items.  Ribbons, thread, and other necessities for the Angel items are purchased with gift cards or funds raised from selling items that are harvested from donated dresses but are not usable for Angel items.

The finishing touch!

Donated by Jessica M, Anthem, AZ, the tissue and boxes will add the finishing touches to our shipments to birthing centers.  Thank you Jessica!!