Members of Year 7 Shirreff House have been learning a new skill as part of their Aspire programme: ‘How hard can it be’. But on this occasion- or should be we say ‘Sew how hard can it be’ – as they chose to complete the challenge of making a children’s dress out of a pillow case.

The task was inspired by innovative charity ‘Dress a girl around the World’, which provides dresses made out of pillow cases for the poorest and most vulnerable girls in countries struck with war and famine.

The dresses are sent to countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Once the dresses reach the charity they attach a label to the outside which also helps indicate that an organisation is looking after these girls and therefore a predator is less likely to take them.  The dresses offer girls something to preserve their dignity and is also an item they can call their own.

The idea of helping girls of a similar age to them or a little younger from across the world really appealed to the Year 7 Shirreff students.

In order to complete the challenge the students researched all the materials they would need and then held a bake sale to raise money to buy them.

“They had to learn the skill of hand sewing very quickly and get creative in their designs,” said teacher Ms Susan Cross who supervised the project.

“The dresses they have produced are testament to their hard work and creative skills and will hopefully be appreciated by the girls who received them.”