For the past few months Newtown Senior Center has hosted a weekly Sewing Crew with Dresses For Missions.

Ninety-minute sessions begin each Monday at 9:30, when one of the classrooms is devoted to the ongoing project. There, volunteers cut colorful fabric and simple decorations before sewing simple dresses and britches.

Seven women have participated regularly, according to Julie VanderKroef, a Newtown resident who serves as a liaison between the senior center and Walnut Hill Community Church (WHCC) in Bethel. The church’s Church in Action program has been hosting Dresses For Missions since 2018.

Janet Shier, one of the regular sewists, as group members prefer to call themselves (as opposed to sewers, which could be read wrong and lead to laughs, she said), has enjoyed being part of the ongoing project.

“I find this to be very pleasurable and more rewarding than a host of other things I could be doing,” Shier said one recent Monday morning.

Decades ago, Sue Kelley was so proficient with handwork that she made her sister’s wedding dress. She also made the dresses for her sister’s bridesmaids, among many other projects. Until this past April, however, she hadn’t done any sewing for 40+ years, she said.

Something about Dresses For Missions called to her, though, and she picked up old habits very easily.

“This is really fun for me,” she said July 31. Nearby, a few additional women were at different points of cutting, sewing or ironing dresses.

Finished items hung on nearby racks, ready to be packaged up and sent to Walnut Hill Church, and ultimately to missionary posts around the world. A collection of 100 items was taken by WHCC on a recent mission trip to Costa Rica.

Work is done each week at the senior center. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in to drop off completed clothing and take home another kit or two, returning another finished item when they’ve finished.

While there is a core group of women who have created the simple clothing, others have occasionally helped, also according to VanderKroef. Additionally, people who may not have sewing skills can still help.

“People who can’t sew can cut. Kit makers then put everything together to make dresses or britches, including instructions,” Shier said. “There’s really something for almost anyone.”

VanderKroef estimates over 150 dresses and 50 pairs of britches have been created by the senior center sewists since April.

“I’m so proud of them all,” she said.

Donations of material, especially quilt cottons and dress fabrics, are always welcome, according to VanderKroef. The public is also invited to join the ongoing effort.

Natalie Jackson, whose work as the town director of Human Services includes directing Newtown Senior Center, says nonmembers are welcome but need a day pass if they want to sew or cut on-site. These can be arranged at the front desk upon arrival at 8 Simpson Street, and include a $5 drop-in fee. Reservations are not needed at this point, she added.

For those who want to sew at home, Jackson said, “they could absolutely pick up a kit.”

WHCC also has options for those who want to pick up kits to work on at home. VanderKroef suggests contacting the church in advance (203-796-7373 or churchinaction@walnuthillcc.org) to arrange a visit when a receptionist is available. A Dresses For Missions basket filled with kits is also available on Sunday mornings between 9 and 11 am, when services are in progress, she said.

VanderKroef can also be reached directly, at julievanderkroef@sbcglobal.net, for kits, instructions, and additional information.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.