EVERETT — A group of volunteers is working hard to make sure the kids of Christmas House have the best-dressed dolls in the world.
Each December, Christmas House provides gifts for children in low-income families in Snohomish County. Parents can pick from a selection of donated toys. Last year, the nonprofit provided about 51,000 gifts for more than 8,300 children, president Gregg Milne said.
Linda Averill was one of the volunteers helping at Christmas House. She was stationed at “the doll table,” which featured gifts for young girls. She noticed that the 18-inch, American Girl-style dolls were popular, but there weren’t many of them. She and other volunteers turned their attention to getting more of the dolls this year.
Now the nonprofit has at least 150 dolls to give to families. However, they didn’t come with any changes of clothes, and clothing for that size doll can be pricey.
A group of local women and men who love to sew has stepped up, encouraged by Averill. They’ve been working for several months to sew, knit and embroider hundreds of outfits and accessories for the dolls.
There are footie pajamas, elegant evening gowns, frilly skirts, lacy tiaras, cable-knit sweaters and even an Olympics-themed track suit complete with an American flag and gold medal.
More than a dozen of the volunteers gathered Saturday at Quality Sewing and Vacuum on Evergreen Way to work on the clothes. Many outfits already have been donated and additional supplies and completed outfits will be accepted at 10121 Evergreen Way up until Thanksgiving, store manager Margaret Purvine said.
Those who couldn’t make it to the event on Saturday dropped off items or supplies beforehand, enough to fill two big boxes. One woman came prepared with 111 nightgowns for the dolls.
Debbie Milne, who enjoys sewing and has been part of Christmas House with her husband Gregg, stopped by on Saturday to thank the volunteers.
“A lot of these kids, their parents can’t afford these clothes. They’re so expensive,” she said. “I cannot believe what these people have done. It’s amazing that the community has pitched in for this.”
The group gets together regularly at the shop to practice sewing and work on different projects. They like helping local charities, said Betty Waterman, who leads sewing classes and group activities.
Christmas House relies on volunteers and donations, and groups from all over Snohomish County have stepped up to contribute every year, Gregg Milne said. The doll clothes are one example of the love and dedication to local kids, he said.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of the community, and particularly these selfless people who put their time and their effort and their money out to put something together for these kids each year,” he said.
On Saturday, the sewing volunteers examined each others’ handiwork. The exclaimed over the elegant ruffles on a pink gown, the glitter of the doll-sized gold medal or the cuteness of 18-inch-long footie pajamas.
Then they were back to work, running the sewing machines, cutting pattern pieces out of fabric or rounding up supplies for the next outfit.
“These dolls are going to have the best wardrobes you ever laid your eyes on,” Waterman said.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
How to help
To donate supplies, outfits or time for the doll clothes project, stop by Quality Sewing and Vacuum at 10121 Evergreen Way or call 425-290-8000.
To donate to Christmas House, go online to christmas-house.org. A volunteer calendar for this year also is expected to be online in October for sign-ups.
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