Today is July first and that means it’s also the first day of Skirting the Issue 2015!!!
Skirting the Issue is an event that we hold every July where we spend the entire month making skirts for girls in foster care to receive just in time for back to school!
It’s one of our very favorite times of the entire year….for many reasons….
Four years ago when Elizabeth and I started this project we didn’t know what an influence it would have on our lives. We started Skirting the Issue because we felt so blessed to be part of such a lovely online community of talented women, because we wanted to do something that would in some small way help others, and because we both have a special place in our hearts for foster children. (Elizabeth was raised with a foster brother and I spent several years teaching at a lock down school that was comprised of a majority of foster teens.)
So Skirting the Issue was born…and the first year we hoped to have at least 100 skirts made and donated…we thought that between us and our families we could do that…but at the end of the month we had over 300 skirts piled in my living room….and last year after they continued to trickle in past the “deadline” we had almost 1,000 skirts to donate to deserving girls! And while the number of skirts that are made and donated each year astounds us, what we find to be even more wonderful is all of you.
As I open each package of skirts and read the cards, letters and emails I can’t believe how generous and kind you all are. As time passes I believe that all of you who create, sew, and quilt are some of the kindest people on the planet. Skirting the Issue, for me really is like having Christmas in July. I love the comraderie I feel with each of you who are sewing along with us and I marvel at your goodness. And when I get to hold something that you’ve made and fold it carefully to be donated I feel like we have in someway finally “met” in person.
Over the next few days we will give you all of the details of how Skirting the Issue works (how you can be involved, where you can donate skirts, and even how you can win some of the prizes donated to us by our lovely sponsors) and then starting on Monday we have two bloggers every single day who will be sharing free skirt tutorials with you that you can use if you’d like to make skirts to donate to a girl in foster care! But until then….we are happy July is here….and we are looking forward to a fun fourth year of Skirting the Issue.
See you back here tomorrow with more details!
-liZ
PS: We really have been excited for Skirting the Issue to start…so excited in fact that we already got a jump start last month with our Common Threads friends at Baby Lock where we spent a fabulous afternoon sewing up some knit skirts for teenage girls. In what seemed like no time at all we had 41 skirts finished and hanging on the wall. It was one of the nicest afternoons…..Thank you Baby Lock for hosting us and thank you to all you beautiful ladies who cheerfully sewed along with us there!
I love this idea. I have been making dresses for a church in W Va. They will distribute to the girls. This is an extremely destitute area. I will never meet the girls but at least I know some little girls will feel pretty and special for a day. Thank you and God bless you
Can you give me details on how to et the skirts to you? We donate one item per every $50 sold to a charity that can use handmade items andwe’d love to donate to Skirting the Issue!
Can you share with me what church you send things to. I have a group that sews for children and I am sure we can help these children also. You can contact me at jletus1051@aol.com
I am very interested in making skirts for Foster Girls. What I need know is, is there a certain pattern(s) we need to use? Also any material or size restrictions.
I think it would be fun to have a graph /chart posted on your blog that shows the number of skirts donated for far…and watch the number grow through the month of July… just an idea.
I’ve made 4 so far. I’m excited to share my skirt idea with everyone on July 14th!!!
Deborah
I would love top get on board this one. I love making for charity and this is a great cause, Looking forward to some tutorials on skirts too.
T’s Garden: Skirting the Issue
Jean Blake
Could you please tell us what church you send yours to. Some of us have been looking for a place in that area to send to.
Thank you!
I have just discovered this site through an email that I deleted by accident,,,,talk about “meant to be”!! Unfortunately, I am unable to participate this year, because I’ve just moved from my home to a T-I-N-Y apartment. BUT, I did bring my sewing machines, and a HUGE tote of fabric with me, so I am VERY interested in any charitable endeavor! I guesti-mate that I will be able to start sewing in 2-3 weeks, once I am organized and have furniture!!! I will be watching for the opportunity.
I’ve been sewing for over 50 years, and I love it. About 5 years ago, I saw where Nancy Zeeman had a woman on her show that was soliciting for “pillowcase dresses” for a small country in Africa. When I saw the video, it brought me to tears…..we really ARE blessed in this country, and have SO much comparatively speaking, so when I see something as simple as this, to help some little kid who has next to nothing, I jump at the opportunity.
Thanks so much for what you do….we CAN make a difference in someone’s life!!
I love seeing sewing being used to serve those in need! What a beautiful group of women engaged in this worthy cause! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hello,
My daughter and I read about this project and decided we wanted to contribute. Well, she talked to some friends and I talked with some friends. We held a Skirt A Thon at our church and we now have 43 skirts to contribute. We are planning on taking them to the Arizona Adoption and Foster center unless you all need them elsewhere. Thank you!!
My grandchildren helped me make 6 skirts to donate, we took them to one of the church ran charities here in Columbia, SC. I wasn’t sure how to enter your contest, but we had fun sewing. thank you for sharing the idea of sewing to help others. Have a blessed day.
Does anyone know of an organization in the Washington, D.C. area what might be interested in receiving some skirts?