The Play Dress

Here are portions of an email exchange in 2010 with Carla Deems, founder of The Play Dress.

Fashion Belle wrote, "This is just a brief note to let you know that your store has been featured on a new modest clothing resource website . . . . By the way, we really love your style and fabrics. This is a women's shopping site, but your dresses were just too good to pass up. I believe you are the only store on the site that is an exclusively girls' store. Thanks for your wonderful work in providing modest, cute clothes."

Carla wrote, "Thank you so much for featuring my store on your site! . . . I will pass on the site to others. I frequently get requests for adult clothes. I really appreciate the honor!"

Fashion Belle wrote, "It is so good to hear from you personally. I'm amazed at how many dresses you have sewn just yourself. I'm . . . hoping that someday I can help mobilize the deaf community to sew modest clothing. They are typically very creative people with their hands and with artwork and also loyal workers when they find jobs that accommodate their capabilities. Not only is the deaf community here a possibility, but deaf communities worldwide need work that they can do . . . . Anyway, big thoughts, but who knows what can happen. I'm sure that you'd enjoy some help with all that sewing. Thanks again for your personal response."

Carla wrote, "Wow, I'd never thought of the deaf community. I have three seamstresses helping me now, my daughter and two homeschool girls. They are not dependent on income, so they work when I have more orders than I can handle. . . . Thanks for believing in me! It is a great encouragement!"

Fashion Belle wrote, "Thanks for your reply, Carla. . . . Sewing is a time-consuming business, and it is always nice to have help. . . . I'm certain it is an excellent experience for the girls helping you. Thanks for taking time to write."