Dress-Making Guidelines for Donation

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When creating dresses for donation—particularly for girls overseas—it is essential that each garment is modest, durable, culturally respectful, and beautifully made. These dresses are more than clothing; they are gifts of dignity, care, and worth. The following guidelines help ensure every dress meets that standard.

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Fabric Selection

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Preferred fabrics

• Cotton or cotton/polyester blends are strongly recommended.

• Dresses may be washed in rivers, streams, or communal water sources and sometimes scrubbed against rocks.

• Cotton blends withstand this treatment far better than pure cotton and are less prone to excessive wrinkling.

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Fabric to avoid

• Avoid white or very thin fabrics (for example, lightweight gingham).

• To test opacity: hold the fabric up to the light or place your hand underneath—if skin shows through, it is too thin.

• If a lighter fabric must be used, please fully line the dress or make it reversible.

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Prints and patterns

• Do not use fabric with logos, symbols, slogans, seasonal motifs, or faith-based imagery.

• These can be inappropriate or misunderstood in different cultural contexts.

• Always ask: Is this fabric suitable for a young girl in another country?

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Dress Design & Patterns

• Dresses must be easy to slip over the head, with no zips, buttons, Velcro, or fastenings.

• Simple, pull-on designs are essential for comfort, modesty, and independence.

• The patterns provided on our website are a guide—feel free to use your own tried-and-tested patterns.

• We warmly encourage you to share recommended patterns with our community via our Facebook group.

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Suggested commercial patterns

• Simplicity: 8102, 2377, 2241, 8101

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Sizing considerations

• When selecting fabric, consider the final dress size carefully.

• Baby or nursery prints are best suited to smaller sizes.

• For sizes 12 or 14, please include a 3–4 inch kick pleat in the side seam for ease of movement.

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Ties (Original Dress Style Only)

• Ties must be at least 36 inches long.

• Use double-wide, double-fold bias tape only.

• Ties should be a single, continuous length (not pieced together).

• Ends must be neatly turned under or securely zig-zag stitched.

• There must be enough length to tie a bow—ties that only allow a knot may be difficult for children to untie.

• Please do not use ribbon or thin bias tape.

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Pockets (Strongly Encouraged)

• We recommend two pockets whenever possible—these may be the only personal space a girl has for her small treasures.

• To position pockets:

  • Fold the dress in half lengthways and press a crease.

  • Place the top of the pocket at the bottom of the crease and approximately 2 inches in from the side seam

  • Alternatively, angle pockets may be sewn directly into the side seam.

Pocket construction

• Cut pockets as 6-inch squares.

• Pockets must be doubled for strength.

  • For two pockets, cut four squares.

• Pocket fabric should coordinate with the dress—avoid clashing styles or overly bold contrasts.

• All pocket edges must be fully finished—no pinking or raw edges.

• Pockets must be securely stitched for durability.

Construction & Finish

Seams

• All internal seams must be serged, zig-zag stitched, or sewn as French seams.

• Dresses are made for active children—seams must withstand running, playing, and daily wear.

Hems

• All hems must be neatly turned under and fully finished.

Edges

• No raw edges should be visible anywhere on the garment.

• All edges must be serged, enclosed, or turned under.

• Ensure raw edges are fully enclosed within bias tape ties and that bias is securely fastened where it meets elastic.

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Embellishments

We recommend you avoid embellishments as they may come off over time, however if you are to use embellishments please ensure that they are:

• All embellishments must be securely sewn on—never glued.

• Suitable - Acceptable embellishments include:

  • Appliqué

  • Yo-yos

  • Buttons (decorative only)

  • Ric rac

  • Lace or eyelet

  • Braided or woven trims

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Important

• Do not use hot glue.

• If using ribbon, it must be fabric ribbon (e.g. grosgrain).

• Craft ribbon disintegrates in water and is not suitable for garments that will be frequently washed.

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Please Remember

• For many girls, this may be the only dress they ever own.

• Every dress should be made to a standard that reflects care, respect, and pride.

• These girls often live in environments where they are vulnerable—your workmanship should enhance their dignity, not diminish it.

• In some cultures, girls are devalued simply because they are female. Clothing that is well-made and beautiful sends a powerful message of worth.

• The poorest deserve quality, thoughtfulness, and beauty—not leftovers or rushed work.

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At Maison de Serenne, we believe sewing is an act of compassion.
Thank you for creating with intention, respect, and heart.