An ordinary pillowcase can be transformed into a new outfit for a young girl as part of Little Dresses for Africa, a Christian ministry that provides dresses to girls in need at orphanages, churches and schools in Africa.

Locally, Monica Feeley of Elverson is leading an effort to make dresses for the program at St. Thomas More Parish, 2101 Pottstown Pike (Route 100), Pottstown. So far, the newly formed group has met twice and has created about 37 dresses. The next gathering is scheduled to be held at the church on Tuesday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Feeley heard about the Little Dresses for Africa program after attending another Catholic church while on vacation. "I saw it in a church bulletin at the Jersey shore. It sparked my interest," she said. "COVID came and the churches were closed, and when we went back to church, I called the secretary at the parish in New Jersey, and she gave me the information."

After receiving approval from the Rev. Larry Kozak, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, Feeley organized a gathering where volunteers worked on making the dresses using pillowcases she purchased from a local discount store. Volunteers brought their own irons and sewing machines.

"The first time we had kids help cut the bias tape for the straps. For the second meeting, a woman who owns her own sewing business gave us tips on how to do things faster," Feeley noted. "One woman brought some pillowcases from her grandmom that were (made of) really heavy cotton and very colorful. (We can use) anything colorful that you can't see through."

Instructions on how to make the pillowcase dresses include cutting out arm holes and gathering the corners of one end of the pillowcase in both the front and back and folding them down so that elastic can be pulled through. Bias tape is used around the arm holes. "We are doing the easy ones with no sleeves," noted Feeley. "You can use standard, king or queen and some little tiny pillowcases like a toddler pillow."

The completed dresses will be sent to the organization's headquarters in Missouri for distribution. "We have to package them and identify them by size and put them in (sealed) containers," explained Feeley. "They go over with the missionaries. That way, they don't have to pay exorbitant shipping fees."

The ministry also offers Britches for Boys, which is a program where boys' shorts are made from T-shirts. "Our goal is to create 300 dresses and then switch to another project," noted Feeley.

Feeley said that she was pleased with the progress the group made during the initial meetings. "Parishioners have really responded generously with their time and talents. It's a community effort working toward a common goal of helping other people," she stated. "It's a very nice thing and a nice fellowship. We're sitting and working, but we are also talking and laughing. It's the like the old-time quilting bee."

For more information about the program or to donate pillowcases and other materials, contact Feeley at monicafeeley@yahoo.com. More information about Little Dresses for Africa is available at http://www.ldfaconnect.com.