Earlier in the year, St. Mary’s Year 5 Class teacher, Mrs Clausen, was shown a website by headteacher Mrs Reilly O’Donnell, about a charity called ‘Dress a Girl Around the World.’ The idea behind the charity is to ensure that every girl in the world has a dress to call their own. The dress designs are all based on a pillowcase.
Class 5 had been learning about life in South Africa through their class novel, Journey to Jo’burg’ by Beverley Naidoo, and studied charities such as Fairtrade, Traidcraft, Cafod as well as looking into rights of workers and children. Making dresses fitted perfectly with their studies.
As a keen sewer, Mrs Clausen was inspired and jumped at the challenge and made dresses and shorts for the class to finish off. The children all sewed pockets onto the dresses and shorts, threaded ribbon to make ties and straps, and added buttons, bows and trims to make them more attractive. Teaching Assistant Mrs Minns and volunteer helper Mrs Watson provided valuable help, especially with threading needles, knotting and unknotting thread, and undoing mistakes when children had sewn legs together!
The children all tried on their finished garments and felt very proud of their achievements. They are hoping that children who wear their dresses and shorts will be in touch so they know they are being worn with pride too.
Mrs Clausen and Class 5 would also like to say a big thank you to St. Mary’s Church Sewing Group who donated fabric, buttons and trims. Together 16 pairs of shorts and 19 dresses have been made and will be sent off to the charity after our very special fashion show in May.