The Dolly Dressers, a charity arm of Sun Lakes Sew-N-Sews, will resume formal meetings in September. The regular meeting time is the first Thursday of the month, in the Oakwood Sewing Room from 1 to 3 p.m. In September, that means Sept. 1. All doll lovers are welcome to come and see what the Dolly Dressers are all about.

We began over 20 years ago with the express purpose of gathering old and unwanted Barbie dolls and refurbishing them with new hairstyles and repairs and, most of all, new, handmade clothes. Over the past 20 years, the Dolly Dressers have donated hundreds of dolls to schools, charity groups, and youth programs. Later, the 18-inch doll was added to the type of doll we re-dress and repair. Before COVID-19, we also made doll quilts, cancer vests (“I Am a Winner”), collected books and Beanie Babies, donated small trucks and boy toys, and filled Christmas stockings and baskets of Easter candy.

Sadly, our numbers have greatly decreased, and we are in the midst of a membership drive. To continue as a working group, we need at least six to eight members to make doll clothes and repair dolls. To join, come to the meeting in September and check us out. All you need is a love of dolls and a willingness to do simple sewing. We have patterns and materials and teachers. In a few meetings, you will be a pro at making doll clothes. I hope to see many new faces in September. For more information, call or text Johnie at 602-510-7995.