Fashion + Passion for Life

Online, July 15, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Justine Abbitt is a Santa Paula woman with quite a passion for sewing. A busy homemaker and mother of 5, Justine has a degree in fashion design and has been creating clothing and household items for years since she was 17. She has recreated dresses from original 1930's - 1970's era patterns as well as designing her own pieces inspired by this period. Justine is putting her talents to work for a good cause, donating some of her designs to be used for the Life Centers Fashion Show Luncheon. When the Life Centers approached her about featuring her fashions in the show, she was excited to participate.

"I started sewing my own clothes to avoid buying "made in China" clothing because they have forced late term abortions and sterilizations there," says Justine. "That is why it is a particular honor for me to be involved in this fundraiser event for the Life Centers of Ventura County. Life Centers provides free and confidential support services to women in our community who are pregnant, scared and alone."

Justine will be using dresses from her vintage collection as well as some of her own creations from vintage sewing patterns and original projects inspired by vintage styles. Justine sews clothes from original vintage patterns from the thirties through the seventies. It's called "vintage stitching." She tries to use only fabric from thrift shops, flea markets and estate sales and also turns things from thrift shops, like sheets, pillowcases, curtains, and frumpy old dresses into new creations. Turning thrift shop dresses into new styles is called "refashioning."

"I like the older styles because they are incredibly flattering to the body without being too revealing. The use of stretch fabrics in modern clothing has dumbed down everyday fashion. You have to pay a fortune now for clothing with the amount of construction details found in vintage clothing," comments Justine.

The Life Centers will hold their annual Luncheon & Fashion Show fundraiser 12:00pm - 3:00pm at a beautiful home in Camarillo. Tickets are $40 per person. Ticket reservation deadline is Sept. 19th. The event is open to the public and will feature an elegant outdoor luncheon, vintage fashion show, auction items and raffle prizes. All proceeds go to benefit Life Centers.

"We are so blessed to have Justine participating in our fashion show this year. It's great to see a woman using her talents to benefit other women in our community", says Myrt Ellis, Executive Director of Life Centers. "Life Centers believes that no one should have to face a pregnancy alone. We are committed to providing the emotional and practical support a pregnant woman needs. Our team of caring staff and trained counselors are available to talk to 24 hours a day, offering compassionate advice and assistance when it's needed most."

The Life Centers of Ventura County is a non-profit organization that has been assisting young women facing unplanned pregnancies in our local community for over 30 years. Life Centers provides a wide range of services including: free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, confidential counseling, parenting classes, adoption information, assistance finding medical care, maternity and infant clothing. All services are provided free of charge.

For more information or To Purchase Tickets contact Life Centers at (805) 486-2721, or email [email protected]. The Life Center is located at 522 North A Street in Oxnard and online at www.vclifecenters.com. For more information about Justine Abbitt, visit her blog at SewCountryChick.blogspot.com.