Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/759603
t m c » p u l s e | d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 27 and includes a network of seamstresses throughout the greater Houston area. Donations have been flown in from as far away as Scotland, and thanks to multiple drop-off sites around the city, Dionne has managed to stuff two stor- age units full of dresses. To date, the group has sewn and distributed more than 2,000 garments. Working off patterns while trading tips and scraps, the volunteers meet frequently for "sew-ins." Besides gowns, they also sew outfits with vests and caps for boys, as well as small square wraps for babies who are born too small for clothing. Every piece is left open in the back because the babies, for a heartbreaking list of reasons, are often difficult to dress. The organization accepts dona- tions of all kinds—any color, pattern or material, even fabric covered in the logo of a sports team. After all, this is the only opportunity these parents will ever have to pick an outfit for their child. After final stitches and finishing touches, the gowns are donated to NICUs and labor and delivery units throughout the city, as well as to local funeral homes and, occasionally, to fam- ilies who reach out to Dionne directly. Each garment from Angel Gowns by Diane is donated free of charge. The organization is also pursuing partner- ships with local carpenters and funeral homes—to coordinate donated coffins and memorial services—in addition to photographers, florists, and anyone else whose services may prove helpful. A rogue seamstress I arrived at Lindy Bingham's house on a Wednesday in early October to watch as her tailor's shears sliced my wed- ding dress into pieces. Another Angel Gowns volunteer, Emily Rivaux, joined her at the sewing table. Unlike the other seamstresses, Bingham, who has been sewing since she was 8 years old, eschews patterns, opting to design her outfits freestyle instead. "I'm kind of a rogue," Bingham explained, as she smoothed my dress onto her cutting mat and counted the grids—one, two, three, four—before care- fully cutting off the bottom half. "We'll use this for one of the gowns so it has a little train," she said, placing a long swatch of material aside. (continued)