Ozawkie resident Leona Tyler used to sew her own clothes. Now she is making dresses for orphans in Haiti. - The Topeka Capital-Journal

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Ozawkie resident Leona Tyler used to sew her own clothes. Now she is making dresses for orphans in Haiti. - The Topeka Capital-Journal Posted: 31 May 2021 04:00 AM PDT OZAWKIE — Leona Tyler used to fashion her own dresses when she was young. Now she is doing the same for girls in Haiti. Over the past few years, Tyler, of Ozawkie, has been sewing dresses that are shipped to young girls at 22 orphanages in Haiti. Since then, Tyler has made at least 1,500 dresses in two different sizes and a variety of patterns and colors. The project first started when Tyler joined a sewing group at Grantville Methodist Church. The group mainly makes quilts and knitted hats. When Tyler decided she wanted to make dresses, she took the project on her own. Tyler has experience sewing as she used to make all of her own clothes and has fashioned several items that decorate her home. But this is the first time she has sewn to this scale. Being able to make the dresses for the young girls makes Tyler feel proud. "They don't have anything," Tyler said. "What little they have a storm will come, and they have nothing. I'm sure they are so proud to have a new dress." Tyler can make two dresses a day once the fabric has been cut. Her sewing room located in her home is filled with fabric, thread and sewing supplies, neatly organized on shelves. Finished dresses sit in stacks on a shelf ready to be sent off to Haiti. She puts great care into the project. More: Kansas Children's Discovery Center's reptilian pavilion is reminiscent of Capitol Federal's original downtown building Before she sews the dresses, Tyler cuts the fabric using two pre-made patterns — one small and one medium. She then lays out the fabric and matches each with thread, lace and rick-rack trim. All that is left is to sew the outfit together. As she rifles through the finished dresses, she points out the small details from the front pocket to the tied, adjustable straps. Each dress is unique and brightly colored, which is important to Tyler. She knows the girls will enjoy wearing a pretty and fun dress that has been accented with delicate lace or trim. Some of the dresses have been crafted from pillowcases, sheets and hospital scrubs. As long as the fabric isn't worn or stained, Tyler can make it into a dress. All of the fabric Tyler uses has been donated to her by friends or picked up at a garage sale. More: Mulvane Art Museum will auction off pieces from 23 artists. Three Kansans share inspiration behind their work. "When I go to garage sales and tell them what I do, twice the people just gave me what they had," Tyler said. Tyler said she hopes the girls who receive the dresses are happy to have new clothing and they know people are thinking about them. "They don't have much and they do appreciate what little they get," she said. Tyler said she hopes to continue making dresses as long she feels up to the task, adding, "I enjoy making them and to think they are getting new things."

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